Once in May by Ofelia Gränd

Author:Ofelia Gränd [Gränd, Ofelia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-05-31T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18: Nettle Soup and Sex Toys

Zachary opened a new package of large paper cups and placed them on the table for Jen to take. Almost everyone had a cup of nettle soup while they stood around and waited for Tristan and Tom to light the bonfire.

“Who are you waiting for?” Jen gave him a quick glance before handing over a cup of soup to a woman Zachary vaguely recognised.

“No one.”

“Bullshit. Every time a car pulls up, you practically rush over there.”

“I do not.” He couldn’t help but smile, though. He’d hoped John and Timothy would be here, but considering John had his breakfast at the café before opening hours, he doubted they would be.

“He’s never showed up on any holiday.”

“No, I know.” He frowned as Andre opened yet another beer. He glared in their direction, and Zachary suppressed a sigh.

“What’s up with him?” Jen was also watching Andre.

Zachary looked around; there was no one in line for soup at the moment, and no one within hearing distance. “I need to get out of there. Living together isn’t working out, or rather, he wants us to live together and I want to borrow his sofa until I find someplace suitable. I never thought—He offered, you know, and I thought: we’ve stayed friends for all these years, so why not? Turns out friends isn’t what he wants to be.”

“You assumed he was over you?”

“Of course, I did. He’s never once said anything about not having moved on, and it’s been eight years, for fuck’s sake. Who pines for someone for eight years?”

Jen laughed. “I don’t think he’s been sitting around waiting for you, Zach.”

“God, I hope not. When I asked about it, he said there hadn’t been anyone he wanted to spend any length of time with. But there’s been someone, right? He hasn’t been alone all this time?”

Jen looked at him, smiled and opened her mouth to speak, but the smile slipped, and a frown settled on her forehead. “I…I don’t know.” Her eyes grew wide. “Thinking about it, I can’t…I can’t remember ever having seen him with anyone.”

“But you’re close. He talks to you.”

“We’re not close, Zachary. Whatever he told you, we only ever talked about you that one night. He comes in for a cup of coffee every now and then, but not often. He pretty much keeps to himself.”

They fell silent, watching Andre as he spoke briefly to a few people, moving around but not stopping long anywhere.

“Hi.”

Zachary startled. “John!”

John looked pale. His hands curled into tight fists. Timothy stood behind him, close enough to be touching. Zachary didn’t like to admit how much the thought disturbed him. He should be happy Timothy was there to support John, and he was, but did they have to touch?

* * * *

John thought Zachary’s eyes had lit up. He looked happy to see him. It was probably only in his imagination.

“John, how nice to see you here. Come, have some soup.” Jen filled a cup and handed it to him.

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