Set after the reunion, still from Roxy's POV. Thanks for the reviews, much appreciated
Chapter 5
Well what do you know – it would appear the boy grew a backbone! The word is Syed has moved in with Christian.
Walked out of his parents house one minute, stopped Christian in the square and said he wanted to get back together, and Christian took him in, just like that! I have been trying to check it out, called and texted a dozen times. I saw Christian briefly earlier and I have to admit he looked happy, he looked like a man in love and clearly speaking to me was oh so less exciting then getting back to Syed so I let him go.
I can't imagine anything Syed could have said that would suddenly make Christian open himself up to get hurt again. I will extract it from Christian later and find out what really happened. I don't trust Syed – he has been changing his mind every other week for a year now –what if he does it again? Does he even know what he wants?
I tell you if that boy lets Christian down, just as he is getting his life together, he will answer to me. If he thinks his mother is fierce, he should remember her worst excesses are still tempered with love – mine won't be, and I'm a Mitchell. I will string him up his wotsits, he really won't know whether he is gay or not 'cos I'll have him castrated!
Speak of the devil. Well, doesn't my Christian look like the cat that got the canary? Surprised he let him out of bed long enough to bring him here to the Vic! I guess he just wants to show him off a bit, and after all he has been through I can't blame him for that. In contrast Syed looks embarrassed and distinctively uncomfortable; he is trying to ignore the obvious whispering from the locals and I see he has no intention of coming anywhere near me. What was that - did I just see him recoil when Christian touched his arm? That's not right – if he is so committed why would he do that? I have just given him my best disapproving look so he knows I am on to him. I will make sure he knows I will be watching his every move.
As Christian walks toward me to order I smile sweetly and start pouring the drinks. I ask him how he can be so sure, I remind him it wasn't that long ago he was "cured". He shakes his head, tells me that was his parents talking, funny I don't remember seeing them in the room at the time. He assures me he has made a choice, that he has given up everything to be with him. I worry he is too trusting, I know from bitter experience that love is blind, I try hard to think of what he would be saying to me if the position was reversed, but I lack his way with words. So I settle for a hug, tell him I am happy for him, to be careful not to give too much too soon, that there are still hurdles and people out there that would undermine them and assure him that I will always be here if he needs to talk.
He thanks me, rewards me with a kiss, takes the drinks, winks at a few of the gossips giving him looks and goes back to Syed, his arm goes around the chair behind Syed – staking his claim. I note he is careful not to actually touch him – that is not my tactile Christian, but when their eyes meet I see the strength of the connection and Syed stops looking embarrassed – in fact he stops seeing anything else in the room. Maybe ... maybe this will work.