Page 57 of Crocodile Tears
“Except yourself,” Neil snapped.
“Me least of all. Are we going to do this? Are we going to part with a big argument?” Alex asked quietly, sitting down on the side of the bed. Neil buried his face in his lap, and he stroked his flatmate’s brown hair gently.
“Come on, Neil, it doesn’t have to be this way. We can remain friends, can’t we?”
“Do you mean that?” Neil glanced up, a hopeful gleam in his eyes.
“Sure. We’ve been through a lot together – we’ve watched loads of movies, eaten a ton of takeaways, and had a hell of a lot of sex.” Alex grinned. “It was good while it lasted. We can take those memories with us and part on good terms, can’t we?”
“Is it because of her?” Neil asked. “Is it because of Solange? Are you in love with her?”
“Christ, no. I told you – I’ve never been in love with anyone. I’m not capable of it.”
“I don’t believe that.” Neil took hold of his hand. “You just don’t believe you’re worthy of love because of what happened to your mum.”
“Whatever.” He drew his hand away. “It doesn’t change anything. We’re moving out of this flat in a couple of days. It’s over.”
“Are you telling me you’re going to live at The Orchard with your father and brother like a good little boy? You hate that place.” Neil snorted. “And how long will you be able to keep your croc habit a secret while living under your dad’s roof?”
“I won’t be living there,” Alex said calmly. “Today, after the ceremony, when he’s all stoked up on goodwill, I’m going to ask him to give me a flat near Lytton AV as a graduation present. He’s so pleased about me getting a first that he’ll agree to anything I ask right now. So, I won’t be going back to The Orchard.”
A sly look crept into Neil’s eyes. “I could tell your father about us. I could tell him I was lying, covering for you all these years. I could tell him you sleep with anything with a pulse, and that you’re a hopeless croc addict.”
Alex rolled his eyes. “It always comes back to blackmail for you, doesn’t it? Yes, you could do that, Neil, but you’re about to start work at his company. How do you think he’d take it if he found out you’ve been lying to him all these years?”
Neil’s face crumpled. “Fuck you. You’ve always had everything your own way. You use people, Alex. You take what you want and never give back.”
“Just so you know, we aren’t going to have a big fight and then angry make-up sex,” Alex said quietly. “That isn’t how this is going down. We’re over.”
“We’ll see.” Neil stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
An hour later, as he walked through town to meet Solange, Alex felt free for the first time in three years. It was a beautiful, sunny day, and there was a party atmosphere; everywhere he looked, people were laughing and having fun.
Solange met him in their favourite café. She looked particularlybeautiful in a dress of plain white linen with a navy-blue stripe around the hem and a matching navy jacket.
“I’ve been looking forward to today,” she said as he brought over a coffee for her and a tea for himself.
“Because you’re getting your degree, or because you’re getting to meet the famous Charles Lytton?” he asked.
“Both.” She was practically dancing up and down with excitement. “I want to meet your father, too.”
“Don’t read anything into this whole ‘meeting the family’ thing,” he warned. “I’m not asking you to marry me.”
“I know. I’m just excited. It’s going to be a great day.” She put her hand on his arm. “You’re okay with me meeting them, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, I just don’t want to give my father the wrong idea.” He took a sip of his tea and glanced out of the window. The usual little gathering of the homeless and dispossessed were standing outside, looking in, like ghosts at a feast.
“And what wrong idea would that be?” Solange arched an eyebrow.
“That you’re my girlfriend.”
“Aren’t I, though?” She rubbed her foot up and down his leg under the table, a teasing grin on her face.
“Yeah, kind of, but I haven’t changed, Solange. What I said the day we met still stands.”
“I know.” She swirled her teaspoon idly in her coffee.
“And yet you stay anyway?” Alex sighed. “Honestly, you deserve better.”
