“In ya go,” he says, folding Benji into the backseat.
I get a cutting glare from Hayden when I walk around to the other backseat door. “What are you doing?”
“I’m going to ride in the back with him.”
“What on earth for?”
“In case he gets sick! You don’t want him puking in your car. I won’t be much help to him from the front seat wearing a dress like this.”
“I’m not a fucking chauffer. Ride in the front.” Hayden stands back, holding the passenger door open for me like it’s the end of the discussion. I do my best to stomp the whole way over and then slide in. I reach down to grab the extra bit of my dress to tuck inside the car, but Hayden beats me to it.
“Bloody helpful, rude bastard,” I mumble as he walks around the car.
He slides into the driver’s seat. “Where am I going?” His voice is flat as he stares straight forward.
“Notting Hill. On Portobello Road.”
We sit in silence as he turns through the streets to the area where Benji lives with his aunt. I hear some faint groans from Benji and look back nervously for fear of another rupture.
“Did I do something to offend you?” I ask after a bit of heavy silent tension.
“‘Course not,” he replies dismissively.
“It’s just that this is the first time you’ve spoken more than one word to me and you haven’t been super matey.”
“You didn’t do anything,” he mumbles and offers nothing more on the subject. We soon arrive at Benji’s aunt’s building, and Hayden pulls up to the curb behind a black cab.
“Benji, we’re here,” I say, unbuckling and getting out to open the back door nearest him.
Hayden beats me to it as he opens his side first. He grips Benji’s arm that’s now completely limp. Benji moans out, “Can’t walk. Two whole floors. Too far. I’ll die.”
Hayden rolls his eyes and grabs Benji by the arm and throws him over his shoulder.
“You don’t honestly mean to carry him up two flights of stairs,” I scoff as Benji groans in weak protest.
“Just point the way to your boyfriend’s flat, would ya?” he snaps, rolling his eyes.
His impertinence angers me like crazy, so I storm off, not even looking back to see if he’s struggling. I wrench open the entry door and the doorman gawks at me in confusion. “Benji Abernathy.” I point to the doorway as Hayden emerges.
“Second floor. Second door on the right,” he replies, looking rather taken aback. “There’s no lift.”
Ignoring the doorman’s warning, I storm up the steps and take the flights as quickly as possible. I’ve been to Benji’s flat one other time to pick him up for a work do, but I’ve never been inside. He lives with his Aunt Agitha, whom Benji is always telling stories about in the office. Apparently, she’s a psychic or a clairvoyant or something. But because of that, she doesn’t get on with a lot of the family who are heavily religious. Leave it to Benji to connect with a fellow outsider.
I knock on the door. When it swings open, I am met by a heavyset woman wearing a giant floral print moo moo and hair rollers, who’s looking at me in shock. “Aunt Agitha, I presume?”
“Yes.” She eyes my dress briefly. “Are you Benji’s mate?”
Just then, Hayden catches up. I can feel him looming over my shoulder from behind, his breathing a bit heavier than before. Ignoring the prickling sensation his hot breath on my neck causes, I silently point backward with my thumb.
Agitha’s eyes grow wide in acknowledgement and she tsks, “Foolish child.”
Hayden drops Benji to his feet and he wavers, holding onto Hayden’s shoulders for support. Benji then wraps both hands around Hayden’s back and gives him a mighty bear hug. “Thanks for the lift,” he mumbles against his chest.
Then, Benji stuns us all when he steps back and drops a mighty kiss right on Hayden’s mouth!
It wasn’t a proper snog. Just a quick peck on the lips. But Hayden’s shocked expression is priceless. I bite my lip to conceal the growing urge I have to laugh. Benji turns around and his eyes are completely closed still. His aunt steps past me and grabs him by the arm. “C’mon Benj. Off to beddy-bye you go.”
“Top night!” Benji shouts and then stumbles into me. Hayden reaches forward, grabbing me firmly around my waist to prevent me from falling.
Agitha’s eyes fly wide as if she’s been stung. Standing only a foot away from my face now as she clasps Benji’s arm, she looks back and forth between Hayden and me. I swear her pupils dilate, so I look down briefly to ensure she isn’t hurt anywhere.
“You two,” she gasps, her voice tight and high-pitched. “Are you together?”
“No,” I jeer, a bit overly defensive as she continues looking back and forth between Hayden and me. Perhaps Hayden’s charms are affecting her as well.