It's Not You, It's Me (Book Two) #Wattys2018

Dining with Angels, Dreaming of Demons

POV GUS

Knock knock knock.

"Come in."

"You have a visitor." Dad says, opening my room's door, and then leaving swiftly, giving room for the guest to enter.

I don't take my eyes away from my phone, and keep scrolling down Instagram while the extra body enters my room. "Tobes, I was thinking about that one painting that Elliot made, with the flowers and the rain, and I think I might buy it. It's the most marvelous thing I've ever seen, I think."

"I'll have to see it someday, then." I hear, and stand up in a jump.

"What— Jack, what are you doing here? You're— you're in my house!" I blur out nervously.

Jack chuckles. "That's a great observation." He says, and then sits down on my bed.

"What— wh—" I take a deep breath and clear my throught, to try to stop stuttering. "What do you want?"

"Thanks for asking! What a great host you are." He comments sarcastically.

"You misunderstand me Jack. What I meant was, what can I do to get you to leave?"

He chuckles again, more amused this time. "You can join me for lunch."

I look down at my watch. "It's 5:30PM."

He checks his own. "Oh. Dinner then."

"First of all, did you not have lunch today? Second, no way in hell will I share with you a meal consensually."

"No, it seems I have skipped lunch today, and yes, you will dine with me! It's a peace offering."

I laughed. "You think you can tell me what to do? That's not what happened during our small moment of weakness, as I recall. You were quite good at receiving orders..."

"You will be glad to know that I have changed, Augustus. In and out of bed." He declares confidently. "As to the peace offering, it has nothing to do with the past; quite the opposite actually."

"I am glad you have changed, Jack, but I would very much like you to be changed very far away from me. The peace offering has been accepted. Yay peace! Now, the exit is to your right."

He smirked. "I'm not leaving here without your formal acceptance to sharing a meal, sooner or later."

"Jack, I swear to God—"

"It's bloody free food, Augustus. How could you say no to that?"

"When did you become so cheeky?" I ask.

"I always was. Just not around Toby." He reveals, and I nod, agreeing.

"A liar you are not." I admit.

"And neither am I a loser. I shall stay here until—"

"Fucking grace and mercy of Christ, I'll dine with you." I say, rolling my eyes. "A burger, only."

He smiles. "The United Nations thanks your humble compromise."

"Shut up."

~

I eat the burger, pretending to be oblivious of the fact that his eyes don't look away from me for even a second.