Chapter 10

Ed arrived in the bar as Chas began setting up for the day.

"Oh hello love. Aaron's at work."

"Hey. Yeah I know where Aaron is I just told him I'd give him a hand with his stuff."

"What do you mean love?"

"He didn't tell you? Oh Chas I'm sorry. We're meant to be moving in together today. He was a bit pissed off that he has to work so he asked me if I could help move his stuff over to mine."

"Oh. I had no idea things were that serious. It's quick though isn't it?"

"Yeah I know. But it just feels right. I love your son Chas and as stupid and as corny as this sounds I can't beare to be apart from him!"

"Awh, that's sweet. You're a good lad Ed. I'm just a bit shocked, that's all."

"You are ok with it though?"

"Course I am love. Between you and me, I don't think he can stand being without you either. There's a some empty crisp boxes in the back. Aaron doesn't have that much stuff so there should be enough."

"Thanks Chas."

"Give me a shout if you need any help or anything"

"Will do. Thanks" Ed smiled, leaving the bar and heading for the stairs.

Ed smiled to himself as he began clearing out Aaron's room. He began clearing out the wardrobe and a peice of paper fell to the floor. He picked it up and rage instantly flashed in his eyes. In his hands was a photo of Aaron and Jackson from thier holiday in Lanzarote. Jackson was grinning at the camera and Aaron was leaning in, kissing him on the cheek.

Ed was fuming, and knowing Aaron was a smoker, he looked in the drawer were Aaron kept his cigarettes, out of view of Chas. He took one last look at the picture before he set fire to it. The picture disintegrated infront of him and he smiled as ash fell to the floor "Fuck you, Jackson."

eeeeee

A few hours later, Aaron's room was clear, and Ed had driven back home. Aaron was heading to the pub after finishing work. He had a bit of an incident with the oil cap on a Nissan, and was practically covered head to toe in sticky brown motor oil. He couldn't wait to get a shower and chill out infront of the TV.

He entered the warm pub and waved at his mum, who finished serving Declan then walked over to greet him. "What you doing here kid?"

"Urm..last time I checked, I lived here..."

"Oh. It's just Ed came round this morning. Said you were meant to be moving in together today. He's taken your stuff love."

Aaron was stunned, his heart beat rapidly and panic set in. "Oh..Yeah. I totally forgot about that."

"I thought you were happy with Ed though? Seems a bit serious to forget?"

"Had a lot on at work Mum. As you can see!" Aaron half smiled, gesturing to the soaked overalls

"He's a good kid that Ed. I like him. You've got a good bloke there. Treats you far better than that bloody Jackson ever did."

"Yeah...Listen Mum can I just grab a shower quick? I don't really feel like walking to Ed's looking like this!"

"Yeah course you can love. and Hey, You might be living with Ed, but this will always be your home. Gonna be strange without you around kid."

Aaron nodded and quickly ran up the stairs and locked himself in the bathroom, he slid down the door, shaking with fear and sobbing. Why couldn't he tell anyone what Ed had been doing to him? Why were people telling him Ed was good for him? There was no way he could get out of it. Not now. His room was empty, Ed was waiting for him and god knows what Ed would do to him if he tried to back out.

TBC