Second Chance(63)

Jack chuckled. “I bet. How are you feeling?”

“Absolutely fucking shattered. I had a nap this morning but it didn’t help much. I’m aching all over from sleeping in that recliner and I’m so tired I can’t think straight. Cass, on the other hand, is sickeningly bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Bloody teenagers,” Nate grumbled. “Where do they get their stamina?”

“We were like that once. Remember? Sleepless nights, and partying two nights in a row, or even more in the holidays.”

“Well I’m too old for it now.”

Smiling, Jack replied, “You and me both. A quiet evening and an early night suits me just fine.”

There was the huff of a sigh. “I wish I was there with you tonight.”

“You can come over if you want?” Jack offered immediately, hope rising. He wanted Nate here, in his arms, in his bed. “I’d love to see you. Please?”

A long pause and another sigh. “I’m torn. But I don’t think I can be away from Cass tonight.”

“Of course,” Jack said immediately, feeling bad for trying to lure Nate away from her. “I understand.”

“Let’s do something tomorrow though, even if we just meet for a walk. I want to see you too.” Nate’s voice was soft with an edge of wistfulness that tugged at Jack’s heart.

This new vulnerability between them, their honesty about how much they wanted to spend time together made Jack hopeful, but a little fearful too. It felt like more than friends who fucked, it felt like something real, something that mattered. Was Jack ready to get into something like that with Nate? With anyone?

“I’d like that,” he replied.

“Okay. I’ll text or call later and we’ll work something out. I’d better go now. I need to help my mum with dinner.”



Nate called again a couple of hours later. It was just after nine and Jack was on his way to bed, brushing his teeth when his phone buzzed. He quickly spat and rinsed before answering.

“Hi,” he said eagerly.

“Hey. I didn’t wake you did I? I was worried you might have had an early night.”

“I’m going to, but I haven’t quite made it to bed yet, so don’t worry.”

“Good. So, I was wondering if you’d like to come out for lunch tomorrow? Not just the two of us,” Nate added quickly. “It’s a family thing. Mum suggested it, so it will be me, you, Cass, and Adam too. If you fancy it?”

“I’d love to.” Jack was touched to be included. “Where are we going?”

“Not far, just to the village pub. They do a great roast on Sunday.”

Jack felt a flicker of anxiety at the thought of being out with Nate’s family locally where he and Nate might see people they knew. But he squashed that down. If he wanted to be with Nate—really be with him—then he needed to get over his self-consciousness about people knowing his business. Most people in the village wouldn’t care anyway. Jack’s life probably wasn’t nearly as interesting to them as he feared.

“Okay that sounds great.”

“Mum’s going to try to book a table for half twelve. So unless you hear otherwise, meet us there then.”

“Cool. I hope you sleep well.”

Nate laughed. “I think I could sleep through an earthquake tonight I’m so tired.”

“Same. Hopefully we’ll both catch up on some sleep tonight then.”

“I’d better let you go. Goodnight, Jack.”

“Night. Sweet dreams.”

As Jack lay in bed, his mind was busy despite his exhaustion. After everything that had happened in the last couple of days, he could no longer deny that his feelings for Nate went deeper than friendship, and the sexual attraction wasn’t just an added extra. The physical connection between them underlined a deep emotional connection that Jack was almost sure Nate felt too. They needed to talk about it soon, because Jack couldn’t carry on trying to ignore it. If Nate felt the same, then Jack would have to face up to his parents and tell them about Nate and about their relationship.



Jack had a gloriously long lie-in on Sunday morning, not waking until after nine, and then dozing on and off until half ten. Once he got up and shook the fuzziness of sleep off, he was refreshed. Yesterday he’d been wading through a fog of tiredness, much like he’d done for weeks when he was at his lowest point. It was good to regain some clarity after a good night’s sleep.

He had coffee and a piece of toast, not wanting to ruin his appetite for lunch. Then he trimmed his beard, showered, and picked through his wardrobe trying to decide what to wear to meet Nate and his family. He laid out a selection of shirts and trousers and tried on a few combinations, eventually settling on some dark brown chinos and a pale blue shirt, with a dark blue jumper. Looking in the mirror, he was happy with his reflection.

His parents were due back sometime soon, but there was no sign of them by the time Jack was dressed and ready to leave. It was still a little early, but given that it was dry outside Jack decided to take the long way around to the pub. He could use the fresh air, and a little exercise would only make him enjoy the meal more. He walked up to the church, then looped back around down a different hill into the village before turning back onto the main road again where the Royal Oak was. A quick glance at his phone told him he was a couple of minutes fashionably late when he reached the pub.