Broad Love

Chapter Fifteen

~PJ~

The chilled wind bit at my face as I rushed along to the shop, desperately trying to tug my coat over my head. When I entered the little market, warmth pressed against me like a wave of tropical air much appreciated in contrast to the bitter English winter. I ran a hand through my curls, ruffled it slightly, and stretched my arms over my head and groaned on accident, making the most sexual noise ever. Blushing in embarrassment, I quickly looked around to see if anyone saw or heard that. No one except the shop boy did, and by his smirk he either enjoyed it or found it amusing. I tried to ignore him and instead continued my search for food.

After eyeing a carton of eggs, I noticed that the shop boy was still looking at me. Not in a creepy or disgusting way, just smirking as though something was funny. I found it a bit annoying so I tried not to acknowledge him. As I picked up Phil's favourite cereal, I couldn't help but think of him and Dan. I wonder if they're still trying to beat that game. I laughed silently to myself.

Ever since Phil moved back into our flat, it was like we were a family again. We did things together and generally just enjoyed each other's company. But every now and then there seemed to be a bit of tension. I knew how they felt about each other, and Phil probably knows by now how Dan feels about me, so we're basically tangled in a web of emotions. It's like a soap opera, but gayer.

After barely managing to haul all of the food to the one open check out stand, I finally meet the shop boy eye-to-eye. Up close, I could see he had walnut coloured hair that was swept to the side in a messy manor and a slight amount of stubble on his chin and his upper lip. He also had gorgeous amber eyes. I thought Dan's eyes were the prettiest brown, but his were stunning. Rays of gold and an almost light green swarmed his iris and exploded with colours I couldn't describe. It took me a minute to realize that he was talking to me as I was so caught up in his eyes.

"Hello? Are you there? Did a robot abduct you and take your place or something, 'cause if so I'll phone the police right away."

"What? Oh, sorry. Guess I zoned out."

"Eh, happens to the best of us." He smiled at me. I smiled back, once again lost in his eyes. "So, I'm Chris by the way, if this sexy name tag didn't give it away already. What's your name?" Chris said as he continued checking out my items.

"PJ, but my friends call me Peej."

"Does that mean if I call you Peej we're automatically friends?"

I grabbed a fresh pizza from the food rack by the check out stands."Do you want to be friends? I mean we don't really know anything about each other."

"Okay. I'm an actor. You're turn."

"Wait, you're an actor?" Not going to lie, I was little caught off guard. "I'm a director."

"No kidding?! That's cool. I'm about to get off, you wanna grab some coffee or something?" Chris leaned forward on his elbows towards me but the closeness didn't bother me.

I checked my watch. "I really need to get back, my flatmates might want something to eat before they starve to death. I hadn't fed them in weeks. Maybe tomorrow?" I asked as I gathered up my grocery bags.

"Sounds good. Here," he took out a scrap of paper from his pocket and scribbled something before giving it to me. "It's my number, in case you want to arrange something, but I'd prefer it if you didn't arrange to murder me. Luckily you don't look like the type."

I laughed loudly before stuffing the slip of paper into my coat pocket. "See you later, man."

Chris smirked one more time as I walked out of the shop. "See ya."

When I got home, Dan seemed a little off about something, but he wouldn't tell me what, and I didn't press. I kissed him and loved him like I always do, but deep inside I felt like something was different. Even when I slept with Dan, my mind was somewhere else. It wasn't far, just down the road at a shop, talking with an actor. I felt guilty for thinking of Chris at first, but then I just let it happen. After all, it's not like I was cheating on Dan. Do I want to?