An Unlocked Mind (Secrets #2)(27)
He glanced at his phone and saw a message from his mother, reminding him that she was making his birthday dinner next week. He groaned. Things between them were awkward at the best of times, but he really didn’t want her trotting out some friend’s daughter in an effort to find him a decent girlfriend, as she put it. Rob had no interest in a relationship. He never saw the point. When he had an itch, he got it scratched. Why bring cuddles and talking into it?
He snuck another peek at his phone. It was only a few minutes after one. He’d started work at 4:00 a.m. and now had almost three full days of freedom to enjoy. Not that he had the money to do anything. One look at his food cupboards had forced him to go shopping, and with that necessity taken care of, his nest egg had dwindled down to just over three hundred pounds. He’d been able to scrounge together enough money to pay the rent and most of the bills, but with his landlord raising the rates, Rob doubted he’d be able to afford to live in his flat much longer.
He picked up the envelope containing the remainder of his computer cash. This was it. Once this money was gone, he was officially broke. The job he’d interviewed for at Sainsbury’s had come to naught. They were polite in their letter, but the results were still the same. No job. The walls were closing in on Rob, and he needed to seriously consider tucking his tail between his legs and going back to live with his parents.
His chest tightened at the thought. While it was a better option than living on the street, Rob did not want to move back in with them. The more he pondered his future, the deeper he sank into an emotional morass. I can’t do this. I can’t keep coming home and thinking about nothing but the mess I’m making of all this. He needed a weekend off where he didn’t have to think about work, bills, his parents, his future…. Where he could just relax and sit down to talk with—
The image struck him like a bolt from the blue. He wanted—no, needed—to talk to Vic. Every time they’d spoken to each other, Rob had walked away feeling better about himself. Yeah, it sucked that he was probably using Vic for his own selfish means, but Rob didn’t think he was asking for too much. Still, he wouldn’t go there empty-handed. He went into the box where he stored the DVDs he’d collected over the years and pushed through them until he found the one he wanted. Then he grabbed his backpack and shoved the DVD into it, along with a book for the train. His heartbeat raced as he slipped his remaining cash into his wallet. Tonight I’m going to have fun, no matter what.
As he dashed along the street to catch the bus to Piccadilly train station, he tried not to think about the empty envelope lying on his table.
Something will turn up.
Something had to.
VIC GLANCED at the clock. He’d spoken on the phone with Ken, one of the bartenders who still worked at the club, who’d said he would pick Vic up on his way. Once he got there, the first order of business would be to get his rocks off. Vic was pretty sure he would have no problem finding a willing sub. When he’d gotten that out of the way, he’d take a good look around the club and see what—or who—was new.
His dick thickened at the thought. It had been way too long.
A knock sounded, and Vic figured Ken was early, but that was fine. Vic had nearly run out of lube from all the masturbation he’d had to do during the project, which was now—finally—done. He pushed himself off the sofa and rushed to the door, eager to get to the club. When he pulled the door open, his jaw dropped.
It wasn’t Ken.
“Can I help you?” Vic asked, doing his best not to scowl. Again? What is it with this kid?
The not-quite-a-smile dimmed. “I would have called, but I didn’t have your number.”
“That might be because I never gave it to you,” Vic reminded Rob. He folded his arms across his chest. “Why are you here?”
Rob swallowed, lowered his gaze, and muttered, “Sorry.”
Vic’s initial annoyance melted, leaving him feeling crappy for snapping at Rob. He took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. That was rude of me. Is there something I can help you with, Rob?” Part of him wanted to know what it was that kept drawing Rob here.
When Rob looked up, Vic saw a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
“I thought we could, you know, spend some time together. Maybe watch a film or something?”
It should have sounded ludicrous, but Vic realized quickly that Rob was being earnest. “Why would you come all the way from Manchester to watch a film?” He studied Rob intently. This wasn’t the same person who’d been at his place a few weeks ago. That Rob had possessed an attitude that was clearly missing. Though he’d had his hair cut, now it looked much less harsh than the last time Vic had seen him. This Rob seemed… softer, more touchable. And he was biting his lip, a sure indicator of nerves.
Vic groaned inwardly. He had a feeling his night was about to take an unexpected turn.
Rob swallowed again. “I just thought….” His gaze dropped. “You’re right. This wasn’t a bright idea. I don’t know what I was thinking. You probably have plans for tonight, so I should let you get to them.”
Oh, Vic had plans all right, plans that involved being balls-deep in someone. But….
“Hold on a minute. When did I even say this wasn’t a bright idea?” Vic couldn’t get over how different Rob appeared when his guard was down. He’s lost the attitude, he’s being polite…. Whereas Vic was being bloody rude. And he realized he didn’t want Rob to go. “Stay right here for a minute, okay?” he instructed. “I’ll be right back.”