“Really? It was working fine this morning.”
“Yeah, well. It’s not working now, is it? Can you give me a hand? You’re supposed to be the maintenance boy around here, aren’t you?”
Trevor frowned at the tone. But Rudy simply stood, removing his hand from Trevor’s leg in the process. The coldness in its wake felt like an omen. When Rudy left with Ingram, Trevor put down the half-peeled potato he had been holding and let out a sigh.
Damian Ingram and Rudy? But then he thought back to his conversations with Rudy, about how his ex hadn’t wanted commitment, how they never went out together in public. Moreover, he had insisted on being the active one in the relationship, forcing Rudy to adopt the passive role against his natural preference. And, most importantly, Rudy had said they had not been in contact for the past six months. So why in heaven’s name would he come up to Scotland? Surely not really at the request of Rudy’s folks. Had he come to win Rudy back? And if so, what hope in hell did Trevor have against a bronzed demigod?
Taking a deep breath, Trevor put his peeler down and stood. Without a second thought, he went out into the hall and stood by the open door to bedroom they had allocated to Damian.
“—not showering with you for old time’s sake. I’m busy in the kitchen, as if you hadn’t noticed.”
“What about a blow job then? My balls are so blue, they’re ready to burst.”
“Damian! I’m warning you.”
“Okay, but there are two beds in here,” came Ingram’s voice. “So you might as well spend the night—”
“I’m sleeping with Trevor tonight.”
“Sleeping or sleeping?”
“None of your damned business anymore.”
Silence fell, during which Trevor felt sure he could hear Ingram’s pants of breath.
“You’re an ungrateful little bitch, aren’t you? I wasted money on two business-class tickets and a five-star hotel for Christmas in Manhattan. Why couldn’t you at least have had the decency to honour that arrangement?”
“When are you going to get it into your thick skull? York didn’t work for us, so why the hell did you think New York would? We’re over, Damian, and have been for months. And I like Trevor. I really like him.”
“That little runt? He’s nothing like me.”
“Exactly. He’s sincere and honest. And happy to kiss me in front of people.”
Ingram sorted loudly.
“Not that bullshit again? Can he give you what I gave you?”
“He gives me respect. That’s worth more than anything I ever got from you. Now go and take your damned shower while I—”
Trevor heard a soft shuffle of feet.
“Get off—get off me,” came Rudy’s muffled cry.
“Rudy,” called Trevor loudly before thumping on the door. “Rudy, are you there? Are you okay?”
Rudy staggered into the doorway, flushed and rattled. Without stopping, he stepped into the hallway and slammed the door closed behind him. Trevor headed back towards the kitchen, hearing Rudy following closely behind.
“Is this going to be awkward?” asked Trevor softly, turning to Rudy as they stopped at the kitchen entranceway.
“Is what going to be awkward?”
“The fact that Damian Ingram’s your ex-boyfriend? He’s the person you referred to as Debbie, isn’t he?”
“Shit,” said Rudy, pushing the palms of his hands into his eyes. After expelling a deep sigh, he turned to look at Trevor, his seriousness plain. “I’m sorry, Trev. I should have said something earlier.”
“Ingram’s gay? You were dating the Bulls’ star international player and supermodel all that time? I’m just wondering how the hell am I supposed to compete with that?”
“You’re not. You don’t need to. And what me and him had was a far cry from dating, Trev. He used to treat me like dirt, ordered me around and—and sometimes try to force himself on me. Still thinks he can, if you heard any of that back there.”
