Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 60851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
His heart did a little flip at the sight of Dev on the doorstep. It was a gorgeous evening, the sun was low in the deep blue sky, and it cast Dev in a golden light.
Dev smiled at Ewan, and Ewan grinned back goofily.
“Hi,” Dev said.
“Hey.” Ewan stepped forward and gave Dev a quick kiss on the cheek. He wanted to kiss him on the lips, but he stopped himself. They only kissed on the lips during sex—or in the aftermath—and Ewan was afraid to cross the invisible line between them.
Walking down their road together, for Ewan it was as if they were on a date. It would have been so natural to reach for Dev’s hand and thread their fingers together, or to put an arm around him. On the residential streets around the university, mostly populated by students, Ewan didn’t feel the need to hide. If he and Dev were boyfriends, Ewan would want the world to know.
“I wanted to stop and buy something to take—wine, or beer maybe?” Dev asked when they reached the busier road with shops and pubs on it.
“Oh yeah. Good idea.”
They went into the little supermarket and studied the impressive array of alcohol. For a small shop, it gave up a lot of shelf space to booze, mostly at the cheaper end of the price spectrum. The manager obviously knew their market and catered for students.
“What do you think I should get?” Dev asked.
“Whatever you like drinking, I suppose. They’ll probably open it. Do you prefer beer or wine?”
Dev shrugged. “I don’t usually drink either. Beer’s too bitter.”
“Cider, then, or a sweeter wine? Or we could take some soft drinks too.”
“Wine seems appropriate.” Dev grinned. “It feels very grown-up to be going to someone’s house for dinner.”
“We are grown up.”
“Obviously. I don’t feel it, though. When do you think people start to feel like adults?”
Ewan shrugged. “I dunno. My mum says she still feels eighteen on the inside. So maybe never.”
They chose a bottle of red wine. Neither of them had a clue whether it was any good or not, but it came from the top shelf and cost twice as much as the cheapest one. Hopefully that meant it was okay.
They queued, and Dev paid, but Ewan gave him some cash for his half.
“You don’t need to,” Dev protested.
“Take it. We’re holding up the queue.”
Back outside, the breeze was fresh. Ewan zipped up his jacket as they walked. Their route led them through the centre of town and up over the Hoe towards the sea. It was exposed up in Hoe Park, the wind whipping their hair and chilling Ewan’s ears and fingers even though it was May. He turned up the collar of his jacket.
“Here.” Dev took off his beanie and offered it to Ewan.
“Thanks.” Ewan pulled it gratefully over his ears.
Dev pulled his hood up and then laughed as the wind blew into his face and pushed it straight back down. He tried again, tying the drawstring until just his face peeked out.
Ewan nudged him. “You look ridiculous.”
“I don’t care.” Dev’s smile was brilliant and his cheeks were pink from the wind.
The wind didn’t let up as they descended on one of the many paths that led down to the road curving along the seafront.
Dev paused for a moment. “I want to look at the view.”
Ewan stopped beside him. “It’s beautiful.”
“Isn’t it? I always wanted to live by the sea. I love everything about it. The smell, the sound, the way the colour changes depending on the sky.”
The sea was a deep blue-grey, choppy from the stiff breeze. As the sun dipped lower, the water would darken, highlighted by the contrasting hues of the sunset. Ewan wished they could stay and watch the sun sink below the horizon, although the expression on Dev’s face as he gazed out over the water was even more compelling than the view. Lost in childlike wonder, Dev stared, a smile of pure contentment turning up the corner of his lips.
Something tugged at Ewan’s heart. “We’re gonna be late for your friends.” His voice came out with a rough edge.
Dev checked the time on his phone. “Yeah, okay. Sorry.” They started walking again, and Dev added, “I always get a little carried away by the sea. Growing up in Oxford, the sea was always this mysterious delight I associated with holidays and rare weekend trips. Living here, I can see it every day if I want, but it’s still a novelty.”
They descended the steps to the road and followed it along the seafront towards the new developments that stood between the older terraced houses and the water.
“Rupert’s flat’s in the building at the far end.” Dev pointed to a swanky new build with huge windows and balconies.
“Wow, it looks nice.” Ewan was impressed.
“Yeah. It’s really cool.”