Nothing. The traffic lights flash, and we cross the road, heading back towards our building.
“If you ain’t gonna tell me, I’ll just start guessin’，” I say, as we beep our keycards and the doors to the lobby open. “Were you on a date? Did she turn you down, or something?”
“No.”
“Did you turn her down? Oh, mate, please tell me you didn’t reject her because you think teaching her how to read Holes a literal decade ago means you’re like, morally forbidden to touch her knee, or whatever. You ain’t her teacher anymore.”
“It’s not that,” he says woodenly, stabbing the button for the lift. The doors slide open and we both step inside.
“Then what—”
He sighs. “When we were at the pub, she bumped into an old classmate. He said some pretty disgusting things about her.”
My hackles rise. “Like what?”
“Ask her yourself. That’s as much as you’re getting out of me.” The lift dings as we reach our floor.
“Okay,” I say, as we step out into the hallway. “If some guy harassed her, why do you look like you want to chuck yourself off a bridge?”
Luke stays silent, and I sigh, finally giving up. We reach Layla’s door, and I unlock it, pushing into the flat and heading straight for the bedroom.
“Where are you going?” Luke asks, stepping inside and locking the flat door behind him. “Her bedroom?”
“It’s seven in the bloody morning, so that’s probably where she’s gonna be, yeah.”
He looks horrified. “You can’t just go into her room!”
“Why not? She practically lives in mine. And Josh is in there.” I frown. “Why did you ask Josh and not me to pick her up, anyway?”
“She was… upset,” he says slowly. “I knew Josh would give her what she needed.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“She didn’t want to be coddled, Zack. And you would’ve tried to sleep with her.”
I stop walking, staring at him. “You actually think that, don’t you?” I say slowly. “God, you’re a prick sometimes.”
He closes his eyes. “I didn’t mean—”
“I don’t hit on sad women,” I say, snatching the paper bag out of his hand. “I’m not that much of a damn manwhore. Wait out here if you want, I’m going in. I might even manage to keep my pants on.” I stomp over to Layla’s closed bedroom door and nudge it open with my foot, peeking inside.
Josh and Layla are both in bed. Josh is sitting propped up against the headboard, staring down at Layla sleeping on his chest like she’s the centre of his damn universe.
Poor bastard. He can deny it all he wants, but this obviously isn’t just a crush. He’s head over heels for Layla.
Damn. This isn’t gonna end well.
He glances up when I step inside. “Thanks for knocking,” he drawls.
I shrug. “I brought food. She’ll forgive me, I’m sure.”
Disturbed by the noise, Layla rolls over sleepily, cracking open one eye like a slumbering dragon. She studies me for a second, then closes her eyes again. “Josh?” She murmurs.
“Mm?” He says, stroking her arm.
“Zack is in my bedroom.”
“Unfortunately.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” I lean against the wall, looking down at her. “Maybe this is just a wet dream.”
She shakes her head, burying it back in the pillow. “Can’t be. You’re wearing clothes.”
Great. Now I have a semi. “That can be rectified, lass. You just say the word.”
“Sorry.” She sniffs. “I don’t sleep with home invaders.”
“You can’t blame me,” I insist. “I got lonely. Did you two get it on last night and not invite me? That’s just plain rude.”
Josh rolls his eyes.
Layla stretches like a cat. “We just cuddled.”
I can’t help the grin that spreads over my face. “You? Cuddled?”
“He did most of the work.”
“Well,” I say. “I bet I’m a better cuddler than he is.”
She doesn’t respond.
“Did you hear what I said?” I ask helpfully. “I said I bet I’m a better cuddler than he is.”
She sighs, obviously still too sleepy to argue, and lifts the quilt, inviting me into the bed. “Come on, then.”
Finally. Dumping the food on her bedside table, I climb into the bed next to her. The pretty pink sheets are warm from her body. I wrap my arms around her, and she practically purrs, stretching to give me a little kiss.