An Unlocked Mind (Secrets #2)(43)

Rob snorted.

Vic sighed. “Ah, the smugness of youth. How blessed it must be to know it all.” He gave Rob another searching glance. “Okay, let me ask you a question. If you can honestly say no, then we’ll skip the meditation. Deal?”

Rob sounded flustered when he answered, and Vic could see him grinding his jaw. “Sure.”

“Right. When you’re upset—be it angry, hurt, or just anxious—what do you do? Are you centered enough to find an emotional spot that you can just let the negative emotions slide off, or do you get angry and have to bite back a retort? Assuming you don’t just go off on someone.”

Rob lowered his gaze to the table. His cheeks were flushed, and Vic knew what the answer was.

“Rob?”

“I get angry,” he admitted. “Before I got fired, I tried not to, but everything built up and I…. Yes, I have to stop myself from going off.”

It was gratifying to know Vic’s instincts were on the money.

“When I started as a landscaper, I did that too. I would get upset because something wasn’t going right, and I would just blow up. A friend of mine suggested meditation, and I found it worked for me. It may help you too. All I’m asking is that you give it a chance.”

“Will you be with me?” Rob asked, meeting Vic’s gaze. “While I meditate, I mean.”

“Yes. I’m going to teach you. Well, as much as I can, anyway. I’m not perfect. I still have days when I can’t help but get angry, but it’s a lot less now.”

Rob sighed deeply. “Okay, I’ll give it a try.”

That was all Vic needed to hear. “Sounds good.” It warmed him that Rob was willing to at least try to change. “First things first. Did you bring all your stuff?”

Rob’s mouth went down at the corners. “All I’ve got is the change of clothing that I shoved into my bag.” He looked around frantically. “My bag! I must have left it at the bar.”

“No, you threw it into the back of the car, remember? I put it at the foot of your bed. You obviously didn’t see it when you got up.” He grinned. “You were probably still too hungover.”

Rob folded his arms and dropped his head onto them. “I think I spent all the money I had on me in that pub.”

“I understand why you got drunk. It was an emotional day for you. As long as you don’t make a habit of it, we’re good.”

Rob sat a little straighter. “It won’t happen again. I don’t drink much anyway.”

“Good. A glass of wine with dinner is one thing, but getting so drunk you don’t know where you are? That’s dangerous.”

Rob smiled, and some of the tension evident in his body seemed to bleed out of him. “Yes, Mum.”

Vic laughed and cuffed Rob on the shoulder. “Cheeky brat. So, the bulk of your clothing is still in your flat?”

Rob nodded.

“Then we’ll go to Manchester and collect the rest of your things. I contacted the club and asked them to send your jacket here, so that’s a start.”

“We’ll go? You’re going to go with me?”

Vic chuckled. “I’m on holiday, remember? I have two weeks to do nothing but help you get on track. Well, start, in your case.”

Rob’s cheeks tinged pink. “You shouldn’t have to waste your time off dealing with me.”

In truth, it surprised Vic too. He’d been desperate for time off. His whole plan had been focused on going to the club every night, finding a sub for a little play, then coming back home and relaxing. Yet helping Rob seemed a lot more fulfilling. Vic had to admit, he had developed an attraction to Rob, but his first priority was getting Rob comfortable with himself.

“If I minded, I wouldn’t have suggested it in the first place,” Vic said with a smile. “Besides, I haven’t been to Manchester for a while, so we can make a day of it.”

Rob’s shoulders slumped, and he wouldn’t meet Vic’s gaze. “Yeah, okay. If you want.”

The less than enthusiastic response told Vic that Rob really, really didn’t want to go back there.

“Rob? If you don’t face them, problems are always going to keep a hold on you.”

Rob dipped his chin even farther. “You’re right.”

He still didn’t seem convinced, but Vic wasn’t going to press for more than what he’d already been given. And while he might not want to tell me now, who knows how he’ll feel after we’ve spent some more time together?

“What about… sex?”

Vic had been expecting the question, but the innocence in Rob’s expression was beautiful. “What about it?”

“I mean…. Well, are you going to expect me to… you know?”

The contrast was delightful. He can talk about fucking a girl on the couch, but when it comes to merely alluding to sex between men, he’s as bashful as can be. It only added to Rob’s charm, as far as Vic was concerned. The thought of helping Rob take his first steps along that path, of watching his face as he discovered how good sex could be with a man….

Slow down. Let’s not run before we can walk. There’s a long way to go before that particular path is even in sight. Right then he had to allay Rob’s fears.

“No. Absolutely not,” Vic said with sincerity. Expect, no…. Hope? That’s another matter.