Page 64 of The King Contract
Millie’s gaze lands on my face. “Nope.”
Her admission surprises me. I know she’s had boyfriends during the past decade. I assumed she’d been in love and had her heartbroken like the rest of us.
“Why not?” Steph asks.
Millie shrugs. “It’s never been right. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had fulfilling relationships and have loved people, but I’ve never experienced what it’s like to beinlove.”
“Pressure’s on, King,” Callum jokes.
I smile, but it fades as I look back at Millie, her expression turning sombre and contemplative.
“It’s overrated anyway,” Dan grumbles, staring at the still unlit fire pit.
I glance at him, then back to Millie, and over to Mack and Callum, who are giving me the look.Time for bed.
“On that note, I say we call it a night,” Mack announces, finishing the rest of his drink with ease. “I’m getting drunk and don’t want to spend tomorrow hungover.”
“Too late,” Erin says, giggling to herself.
Conversation breaks out again as we clean up our mess. The women head to the makeshift bathroom to brush their teeth and prepare for bed, so I take the opportunity to check in with Dan. He’s still slouched in his chair, staring into oblivion.
“You good, mate?” I ask, clapping him on the shoulder.
He comes out of his stupor and looks up at me. “Yeah, mate. Drank one too many. Turning into you.”
I chuckle. “I’m reformed, remember? Thanks to you.”
Dan snorts, running a hand over his head. “Fuckin’ hell, mate.”
“Is this about Sarah?”
Dan sighs and closes his eyes. “I’m pathetic.”
I sink into my chair beside him. “No, you’re not. You’re going through something painful.”
“It’s been over a year,” Dan spits, shaking his head. “When am I going to move on?”
“When you’re ready. Or maybe when you see who else is out there.”
Dan opens his eyes and glares at me. “I’m not interested in anyone else.”
“How do you know if you don’t try?” I ask. “I’m not saying you have to bang anyone. Try talking to some women once in a while. You don’t talk to anyone.”
“I never have,” Dan grunts.
“Not true. You’ve been to a sex club, apparently.”
Dan’s reserved, sure. He always comes across as the strong, silent type, which can be seen as rudeness or disinterest, but I’vealso seen him open up. He can bellow out laughter and shout when he has to, but he’s become a shell of himself since Sarah left.
“You’re going to be okay,” I assure him. “Sometimes these things take longer than we’d like.”
Dan nods, exhausted. “I know.”
“Get some sleep,” I order. “We’ll revisit this when you’re sober.”
“No, we won’t.”
“Bullshit.” I give him a quick kiss on top of his head. “Bed. Now.”
