Maybe This Time

by Annabelle Jacobs

  “What did he do?”

  “He laughed.”

  Josh chuckled. “I think I like him already.”

  Ryan crossed his arms and hunkered down in his seat. “Nothing’s going to happen, so just forget I said anything.”

  “Okay.”

  When Ryan looked over at him, Josh had that smile that meant trouble. “And don’t be an arse while we’re there. Please. I have to live in the same building as him. I don’t want to start having to avoid him already.”

  “No, you can save that until the morning after.”

  “Oh, fuck you.” He ignored Josh’s laughter and spent the rest of the journey looking out the window, trying not to think about the part leading up to a morning after. Because it was never going to happen.

  Josh let out a low whistle as they turned into the driveway. “Nice place. I always fancied living out here.”

  “Mhmm. Like you’d last being this far away from everything.”

  “We’re not exactly out in the sticks. The town centre’s only about five or ten minutes’ drive.”

  “I know, but it’s a cute countryside town. Not what you’re used to.”

  “We’ve passed three pubs, a fish and chip shop, and a Tescos. What more do you need?”

  Ryan paused before opening the van door. Maybe Josh had a point. “I suppose. Anyway, let’s go get this damn washing machine. I want to get it plumbed in before lunch.”

  They got out of the van and Ryan led the way to the front door. He rang the bell and waited, ignoring the way his heart leapt at the thought of seeing Matt again. Much to his disappointment, when the door opened, Mrs Thomas stood there. She beamed at Ryan, but her smile dimmed a little when she noticed Josh stood next to him.

  “Hi.” Ryan smiled back. “Hope we’re not too early?”

  “No, not at all. Matt’s just getting it ready.” Her gaze flicked back to Josh again.

  “Oh, this is my mate, Josh. Thought an extra pair of hands would come in useful.”

  Her smile was back in full force, and she turned it on Josh this time. “So nice of you to help out.”

  Josh grinned at her, big and wide, and a flicker of unease ran through Ryan. “That’s what friends are for. He also wanted me for my van.”

  Mrs Thomas laughed and stepped back, opening the door wider. “Come on in, boys. I’ll take you through.”

  Ryan managed to catch Josh’s attention as they followed her, and narrowed his eyes at him.

  “What?” Josh mouthed, eyebrows raised.

  They reached the utility room before he had a chance to reply.

  The sight that greeted them was the stuff of fantasies. At least Ryan’s fantasies anyway. Matt was already in there, bent over at the waist as he fiddled with something at the back of the washing machine. His shorts clung to his arse—the material stretched tight across each cheek—and a strip of tanned skin lay exposed along his lower back where his T-shirt had handily ridden up. Too late Ryan realised he was licking his lips, and Josh’s unsubtle cough next to him had him sucking his tongue back in and hoping no one else noticed.

  Matt stood upright, one hand running through his hair as he faced them. “Oh, hey. Didn’t realise you were here already.” His gaze slid to Josh, and Matt’s mum was far quicker than Ryan.

  She gestured to Josh and said, “This is Ryan’s friend, Josh. He’s come to lend a hand and also his van.”

  Was it his imagination or had she put extra emphasis on the word friend?

  Josh shook hands with Matt, while Ryan tried not to ogle his ass. But those shorts were tight.

  “So….” Matt rubbed his hands together and Ryan startled. “Shall we get this into your van?”

  The washing machine had been moved onto a small dolly-type thing, and Matt carefully pushed it from one side, while Josh and Ryan guided it from the front—that might have been overkill, but whatever. Mrs Thomas followed behind them, cautioning Matt to watch out for her walls every few minutes. Ryan wanted to laugh. She sounded exactly like his mum.

  When they reached the front door, they stopped.

  “Think we’re going to have to carry it from here.” Matt pointed through the front door that Mrs Thomas had squeezed past them to open. One step led down to the driveway. The gravel driveway that you couldn't push anything on.

  Ryan straightened up, leaning slightly on the washer. “Yeah, I think you’re right.” He turned to Josh, who was already fishing his keys out of his pocket.

  “I’ll go open up the back of the van, shall I?” Josh left without waiting for confirmation, and the rest of them watched as he crunched over to his van and unlocked it. The back opened out wide, and Ryan was surprised to see it completely empty for a change—plenty of room for the washing machine. “Need a hand lifting it?” Josh called back.

  Ryan glanced at Matt. “What do you reckon?”

  Matt’s gaze fell on Ryan and he did a slow sweep of Ryan’s body, leaving him with heated cheeks and the beginnings of a semi. “I think we’ll be able to manage.”

  Matt bent down to lift the bottom, and Ryan tilted the top forwards until they could easily lift it up. Christ, it was heavy.

  Mrs Thomas watched from the side, wringing her hands as Ryan carefully backed out of the house. “Ooh, be careful down that step. I don’t want anyone to slip.”

  “We’ll try not to.” Matt snorted and rolled his eyes, out of sight of his mum, Ryan noticed. It made him want to laugh and take the piss, but he kept quiet.

  After some directing from Josh, they arrived at the van, and Josh helped them slide the washer inside.

  Ryan stood and stretched. “That thing weighed a tonne.” He rubbed at the bottom of his back with a wince, then turned to where Matt stood beside him. After pulling an envelope from his back pocket, Ryan handed it over. “This is the rest of the money for the washing machine.”

  “Thanks.” Matt took it with a smile but didn’t open it.

  Ryan nodded at the envelope. “Aren’t you going to count it?”

  “I’m assuming you wouldn’t try and cheat my elderly parents, especially considering I know where you live.” He had both eyebrows raised, and Ryan blushed.

  Oh yeah. Duh. For fuck’s sake, Ryan. “That’s true.” He glanced at where Matt’s mum stood in the doorway watching them and lowered his voice just in case. “And I would never try and cheat anyone out of anything.”

  “Well, we’re all good, then.”

  Josh shut the van doors, the loud slam making Ryan jump. “Ready?”

  Ryan turned to see Josh looking at him expectantly, van keys dangling from his fingers. “Yeah.” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Matt slip the envelope into his pocket and start back towards the front door. For some reason, it felt as though he was missing some sort of opportunity, and before he registered what he was doing, Ryan reached out and grabbed Matt’s arm, stopping him mid-step. Racking his brains for something to say, he managed, “Thank you for helping us get this out to the van.” Ryan gestured behind him.

  Matt’s smile seemed a little bemused. “You’re welcome. Goodbye, Ryan.”

  Okay then. “Bye, Matt.”

  Without a second glance, Matt walked back to the house, went inside, and closed the door behind him.

  Josh came up to stand next to Ryan, his steps crunching loudly on the gravel. “Smooth.”

  “Get lost,” Ryan muttered and trudged around to the passenger side.

  Once inside, with the doors shut and seatbelts on, Josh nudged him and grinned. “At least you didn’t say anything crap like, “I'm sure I’ll see you around.”

  Ryan covered his face with his hands and barked out a laugh. “It was on the tip of my tongue.”

  “Fuck, really?” Josh reversed slowly, side-eyeing Ryan as he did so.

  “Yep.”

  “You were right.”

  “About what?”

  “At this rate, nothing is ever going to happen between you two.”

  Ryan groaned and rested his head again
st the window, watching the trees flash by as they drove off.

  “Thank fuck you only live on the first floor!” Josh glared at the stairs they’d just climbed up. “Not sure I could manage another flight.”

  “I know.” Ryan patted him on the shoulder and unlocked his front door. “I’ll buy you a beer to show my appreciation.”

  Josh snorted. “Beers, plural. You owe me big time for pushing that thing up here.”

  Ryan turned to face him. “I know. Thanks for helping me out today.”

  As they carried the washing machine into the kitchen, Josh said, “I’m only messing. Always happy to help, you know that.”

  Yeah, he did. His friends were the best. After flicking on the kettle, he said, “You got time for a cuppa?”

  “What time is it?”

  Ryan pulled out his phone to check. “Eleven thirty.”

  “Yeah, should have. Told my dad I’d give him a hand taking some stuff to the tip later, but not till about one.”

  “Oh, in that case do you want some of this?” He opened the fridge and pulled out the Dominos box from the night before. “I’ve got loads left.”

  Josh lifted the lid and peered in. “Yeah, okay.”

  After making tea and heating up the pizza, they stood and ate propped up against the kitchen worktop.

  Around a mouthful of Pepperoni Passion, Josh asked, “You up for a beer tonight?”

  “Mhmm.” Ryan swallowed his bite. “Fancy staying local? There’s that pub on the corner that looks all right. You can crash here if you want?”

  “Yeah, okay.” Josh slid his phone out and started tapping at the screen. “What time shall I tell Dave and Liam?”

  Ryan finished his tea and set it on the counter. After installing the washing machine, he didn’t have much else on. “About seven?”

  Josh typed something else, then frowned. “Dave’s got to work late. Eight okay?”

  “Yeah, that’s fine.” It would give him time to get some dinner down him, which was probably a good idea considering the state he ended up in last weekend. He tried not to think about the Sunday morning after. Hopefully there would be no repeat of that. “Does he know where to meet?”

  “Just told him. He’s going to pick up Liam on the way.”

  Ryan clapped his hands. “Sorted.”

  “Yep.” Josh grinned then pointed at the washing machine. “Do you need a hand installing it?”

  “No, you can get going if you want.” Ryan followed Josh out to the door. “And thanks again for today.”

  “Anytime.”

  Ryan smiled back. “See you later.”

  Josh sent a wave over his shoulder and then disappeared down the stairs.

  After closing and locking the front door, Ryan walked back into the kitchen, where the washer sat waiting for him.

  Okay then. Let’s do this.

  At seven forty-five, a knock sounded on Ryan’s door. He fiddled with his hair one last time, gave up on getting it to behave, and went to answer the door. “Why didn’t you use your key?”

  Josh shrugged. “It’s your flat.”

  “You used the other key to get in the building.”

  “That’s different, though.”

  “Whatever. I’m almost ready, go sit down and I’ll be out in a sec.” Since it was only the local pub they were going to, Ryan had on his black jeans, boots, and a heather-grey T-shirt. He sprayed on a bit of aftershave, grabbed his jacket, keys, and wallet, then headed back out to the living room. “Shall we?”

  Josh stood and smoothed out his jeans. He took one look at Ryan and let out a low whistle. “I didn’t realise you were after that kind of night?”

  “What?” Ryan looked down at himself, not seeing the problem.

  “You look like you’re on the pull. Not sure you’re going to have much luck where we’re going, though.”

  Ryan frowned. "I always dress like this when we go to the pub.”

  Josh laughed. “And your point is?”

  “Piss off.” Ryan grinned and turned towards the hallway. “Come on, otherwise you know Dave’ll moan if we’re late.”

  “True.”

  The pub was a ten-minute walk through the estate. From what Ryan could gather, it had been there when the housing estate had been nothing but farmers’ fields and had been renovated along with everything else. It still retained some charm on the outside—dark red brickwork and wood framed windows—but also had that modern chain pub look to it. Ryan hoped it was okay, and being this close, he was willing to be flexible. As long as it wasn’t full of arseholes, he’d be happy.

  The large car park was about three-quarters full. Surely a good sign? He glanced at Josh. “Looks all right?”

  Josh had his phone out, typing something. “Yeah. Dave and Liam are already at the bar, getting a round in. Do you want your usual?”

  “Yeah, thanks.” Ryan led the way to the entrance and pulled open the heavy wooden door.

  The inside was a lot bigger than he’d thought. The main room had a mixture of booths and mismatched tables and chairs, most of them already occupied with a variety of old and young clientele. Laughter and conversation accompanied the music playing, giving the whole place a relaxed welcoming atmosphere, and Ryan smiled. So far, so good.

  He glanced around, taking in the rest of the place. Oak beams ran along the ceiling and an open fireplace sat at one end of the room with the bar at the other. The fire wasn’t lit, but Ryan could imagine it was popular in the winter months. To the right of the bar were a couple of steps leading off to another room, but Josh had spotted Dave and Liam over to the left and nudged Ryan in that direction.

  “All right?” Liam greeted them both with a smile, while Dave handed over his cash to the very attractive woman behind the bar. She laughed at something he said, her smile warm and wide, and Liam rolled his eyes as he handed Josh and Ryan their pints. “Can’t take him anywhere.”

  Liam and Dave had been together since last summer. Not that Ryan would ever say it out loud, but he hadn’t thought they’d last past Christmas. Dave flirted with anything that moved, and Liam was a lot more reserved. Ryan had figured—wrongly, it turned out—that Liam would be the jealous, possessive type, but he wasn’t. Not at all. They seemed happy and comfortable together, and Ryan was more than a little envious of their relationship.

  Eventually Dave finished chatting and turned round to join them. “How’s the flat?”

  “Good. Got a few boxes left to unpack—” more like most of them “—but my washing machine’s in now, so almost there.”

  Josh smirked, and Ryan knew what was coming. “Hey, guess who he bought the washing machine from?”

  Dave and Liam shared a confused look. “Who?” they asked in unison.

  “You remember that hot runner who we saw last Saturday?”

  “Going into Ryan’s new place?”

  “Yep.” Josh grinned and took a sip of his pint. “We fetched it from his parents’ over near Thornbury this morning.”

  Dave and Liam both looked at him, eyebrows raised. “And?”

  “And nothing.” He’d already had this conversation once today; a repeat performance wasn’t what he was after. “Are we sitting down somewhere or propping up the bar?” After lugging that bloody thing around all morning, Ryan's back was starting to ache, and he didn’t fancy standing up the whole night.

  Josh seemed to be of the same opinion, rubbing the bottom of his back with a grimace. He glanced behind them at the busy room. “I could do with sitting down, but…”

  Yeah, everywhere but the odd seat here and there was taken.

  Liam indicated the steps to the right of them. “There’s another two rooms round the corner. We had a quick look when we got here. Come on.” He waited for Dave to pick up his pint from the bar and then headed off with everyone else following.

  The steps led to another fireplace, with one table tucked into the corner next to it, a room directly beyond that and another off to the right. Chairs and tables occu
pied the one in front, mostly filled with people eating; the one to the right had yet another fireplace but also sofas and big comfy chairs. And more surprisingly, was virtually empty.

  Two pints later Liam returned from the bar, carrying two drinks and wearing a big shit-eating grin.

  “What’s got you so happy?” Josh eyed the pint glasses he set on the table. “Where’s the others? I offered to give you a hand but—”

  Liam waved him away. “They’re coming. I ran into Sam, you know the guy who cuts my hair?” They all nodded. Liam had a thing about hair, and apparently his barber was the best. “They’re coming to sit round here anyway, so he offered to carry the others for me.” He looked directly at Ryan, and an uncomfortable feeling settled in Ryan’s belly.

  “When you say they…?”

  Before Liam had a chance to answer, a guy came round the corner carrying two more pints. “That’s Sam.” Liam smiled and the guy smiled back, heading over to them.

  It was the people—rather one person in particular—following him that caught Ryan’s attention. Matt. Josh choked on his pint next to him, and Ryan absently patted him on the back while watching the others walk over to them.

  Sam set the drinks on the table, while his friends went and sat at the table and sofas opposite. “Here you go.”

  “Thanks.” Liam gestured to everyone. “Sam, these are the guys I was telling you about.” He introduced Dave and Josh but paused when he got to Ryan. “And this is Ryan.”

  Sam looked over his shoulder before saying, “So you’re the one who just moved into Matt’s building?”

  “Yep, that would be me.” Ryan couldn’t help but glance over to where Sam had been looking. Sat with two other guys, was Matt, staring over at them. Why did I not think about the possibility of him being in here tonight? “Nice to finally meet you. Liam raves about you all the time.”

  Sam laughed, and from behind Sam’s shoulder, Liam pulled a face at Ryan, blushing slightly. “That’s because the lot of you need a decent haircut.”

  Ryan’s hand immediately went to his hair, self-conscious. “There’s nothing wrong with my hair.”