Unknown Number

by Victoria Hyder

  Lucas rolled his eyes and braced himself before heading into the living-room. They were all there –Eleanor, Milo, Fletcher, and Bonnie –with beer cans and popcorn spread out over the coffee table. “You lot really need to get a life if the only entertainment you have is keeping tabs on my life.”

  “TELL US EVERYTHING!” Eleanor demanded; her wide eyes crazed behind her glasses.

  Lucas glared at her and took his time going into the kitchen and pouring himself a glass of red wine. If he was going to do this, he wasn’t going to be doing it entirely sober. Returning to the living room, he settled down into a vacant beanbag chair and schooled his face into an expressionless mask. “Go on then. Ask your questions.”

  “What did you guys do?”

  “Homework, grading, eating food and making jokes,” he answered drily. “Next?”

  “Have you asked him out on a proper date?” Milo frowned. “Like to the cinema or to an actual restaurant?”

  “No. Next.”

  “Why haven’t you asked him out on a date?” Bonnie asked, quirking an eyebrow.

  Lucas bristled a little. “I don’t want him to freak out,” he finally admitted after a sip of wine to calm his nerves. “At the end of the day, I want him to trust me. Besides, he’s coming back up next Saturday before I go to Lincoln.”

  “To what end?”

  “I don’t know yet. We haven’t discussed it.”

  Bonnie and Eleanor shared a look before matching smirks appeared on their mouths. It was terrifying. “You’re scared!” they chimed.

  “Nope.”

  “You totally are!” Bonnie squealed. “Oh, that’s so cute!”

  “Shut it,” Lucas sneered in a cold, measured tone.

  Fletcher nudged him on the shoulder from his own beanbag chair. “Be nice. They’re only teasing.”

  “I don’t see why,” Lucas snapped.

  “Because you’re in l-o-o-o-o-ve!”

  “Fuck me, not you too?”

  “Afraid so.”

  “You lot suck.” He downed the rest of his wine before scrambling out of the beanbag with as much grace as humanly possible. “I need another one if you lot are going to keep this up.”

  Two glasses of wine later and they’d steered onto the subject that Lucas had tactfully been avoiding all night; the fact that he still hadn’t personally made-up Cavan’s twenty-first birthday.

  “You have to do something for him Lucas!” Eleanor squealed. “You can’t not do something! It was his twenty-first!”

  “I’m aware.”

  “So? Any ideas?”

  “Nope.”

  “Come on Lucas,” Fletcher edged forwards awkwardly, his long legs flailing a little. “What do you guys talk about?”

  “He’s a pretty average guy,” Lucas shrugged.

  “BULL. SHIT!” Bonnie cackled. “Come on! Does he drive?”

  “No.”

  “Does he … like books?”

  “Sort of.”

  “Why don’t you take him out to a movie or something?”

  “I don’t want to waste our one day a week together in some sticky hole-in-the-wall cinema, eating cheap popcorn and slurping syrup.”

  “Jeez, so romantic, Lucas!” Eleanor snickered.

  “Cinemas are not romantic! I never understood the notion that they ever were!”

  Fletcher threw his head back and laughed. “Come on, dude, any small gesture will do at this point!”

  Lucas frowned, holding his wine glass by the rim. He did feel bad that Cavan had wasted some of his birthday buzz to come up and take of him when he’d been sick. That was not what anyone wanted associated with their twenty-first birthday. “I can always get him a present -but what am I supposed to buy him?”

  Bonnie rocked back and forth; her lips twisted into a frown. “Well … Lucas, what does this kid mean to you exactly?”

  “I like him, Bonnie, but there’s so many issues to sort out; his parents accepting it, his dissertation, the rest of his studying. His driving lessons, even though I think he mentioned that he’d stopped until after he’d finished this year at Uni.”

  They lapsed into silence.

  “Honestly, Lucas, I think just remembering his birthday is going to go a long way for you here,” Bonnie finally said, tilting her head up to look at him. “Get him something he’d definitely love, take him out for the day, and then fuck his brains out.”

  Four heads turned to stare at her.

  “What?” she snapped. “It’s legal!”

  Lucas rolled his eyes and took a sip of his wine. He had a week to think of something that would both get across how grateful he was for Cavan to have looked in on him when he’d been ill, and also to commemorate his twenty-first birthday.

  “I’m sure I’ll think of something,” he murmured, more to himself than to the others.

  Chapter 16

  Saturday AM

  Cavan had barely slept the previous night; he was too anxious to get to Hayes and see Lucas. Even though they text every day and had a call in between Lucas leaving work for the day and Cavan having a free period or was walking home himself, Cavan felt the absence of the older man’s presence. It felt absurd to think such a thing considering they’d only been in one another’s presence for a week in total, if that.

  Leaning back in his seat, Cavan tried his best not to itch his arm. The burns were healing nicely, according to his dad, but it still needed a clean gel wrap every evening, and a fresh bandage in the morning. He could feel his bicep wasting away under the gauze. Leaning his head against the window as the train chugged along the tracks, Cavan tried to think ahead to the upcoming Easter holidays. He needed a break from going into lectures and meeting with his professors -it was getting so close to the mark that he felt his insides twist up every morning in anticipation.

  As the station pulled into sight, Cavan swung his bag over his shoulder and made his way towards the doors. Stepping off onto the platform, he swept his hair from his eyes and made his way towards the exit. Lucas was waiting for him just on the other side of the barrier. Cavan felt his face split into a grin.

  “Hey!” he beamed, hurrying over, and going to hug Lucas but stopped when the older man visibly flinched. “Oh … Right, sorry, I forgot.”

  “No, it’s my fault,” Lucas tried to smirk as he tugged on Cavan’s sleeve. “I’m not used to people trying to hug me.”

  “Not even Bonnie?”

  “She’s a special case.”

  They fell into step as they walked away from the station. It was a calm day, the sun peeking out between the fluffy white clouds, and Cavan couldn’t help but feel happier as the dappled sunlight filtered down on them. As they walked towards the same café as last time, Cavan felt his heart skip whenever his arm brushed against Lucas’, or their hands grazed one another unintentionally. He tried to calm his brain as it went into overdrive; he tried to tell himself that he did not want to have Lucas’ hands all over his skin, that he did not want Lucas’ mouth doing deliciously wicked things to him, and he most certainly did not want to have Lucas moaning his name in his ear –

  “Cavan?”

  “Uh yeah?”

  “You want to go in, or stand there gawping like a moron?”

  Cavan blushed as he ducked inside the café, the door swinging shut behind them. Lucas pointed over towards a table off to the side and Cavan obediently walked over, dumping his bag under the table and sinking into one of the plush seats as Lucas ordered some drinks. As he waited, he sent Sophie a text, letting her know that he’d arrived safely and was with Lucas now.

  Two cups of coffee were set down on the table.

  Cavan grinned up as Lucas slid into the seat opposite him and slid out of his own coat.

  “So how was your week?” he finally asked, dragging one of the cups towards him.

  Lucas shrugged, “It’s the end of term so the little shits are really riling me up. Nothing I can’t handle.”

  “I bet you’re an absolute legend at par
ent-teacher evenings,” Cavan teased.

  “I’m avoided like the plague. Can’t think why.”

  Cavan snickered, “They must despise your charm and wit.”

  Lucas smirked. He finished stirring the sugars into his coffee and set the wooden stick to one side -on a napkin. “So, I have a little something for you.”

  Cavan’s eyebrows shot up. Of all things, he hadn’t expected Lucas to buy him something. It seemed a little out of character. “Er … thank you?”

  “I’ve not given it to you yet, brat.”

  “I know it’s just … why?”

  “Your birthday,” Lucas said. There was something about his voice that suggested he was trying very hard not to call Cavan a ‘brat’ or ‘stupid’. “I felt bad for not only missing it, but also making you feel obligated to come and check on me when I was sick.”

  Reaching across the table, Cavan hesitated a second before covering Lucas’ hand with his own and squeezing. “I’d rather spend an entire day making sure you felt better than whatever else happened on my birthday.”

  “Are you saying you didn’t enjoy the party?” Lucas cocked an eyebrow. At Cavan’s averted gaze, he hummed. “I thought so. You’re a terrible liar.”

  “Would you rather I was a bad liar?”

  “Not particularly. Now, do you want your present or not?”

  “Yes please.”

  Lucas sat his messenger bag in his lap, lifting the neatly wrapped present from within. He slid it over the table and Cavan struggled to contain his excitement. His leg was jiggling so much the table shook. Lucas folded his arms on the table and watched Cavan, his face a stoic mask.

  Cavan didn’t waste any time in tearing the wrapping paper off, much to Lucas’ chagrin. Holding up the book, Cavan’s face split into a wide grin.

  “You got me the newest Jack Reacher? I didn’t these were hitting the shelves until after Easter.”

  “There’s more. Look inside.”

  Bemused, Cavan opened the book. His jaw dropped open; inside the front page, was the message:

  ‘Happy 21st Birthday Cavan,

  May your years be long and full of adventure.

  All the best,

  J. D. Grant

  (Lee Child)’

  “Holy shit,” he breathed. “Holy shit -Holy fucking hit!” His eyes went wide as he looked up at Lucas. “You -You got me a personally autographed copy from LEE CHILD?! James Dover Grant HIMSELF?!”

  Lucas chuckled, “Not a fan, I take it?”

  Cavan was out of his seat in an instant, his arms squeezing Lucas tight as he hugged him awkwardly, trying his best not to knock their drinks over in the process. Lucas chuckled again, feeling a little pleased with himself. When he’d initially came up with the suggestion, Bonnie had stated that it seemed a mean sort of present. Clearly, he’d been right to trust his own judgement.

  “You’re so amazing! So, so, so amazing!” Cavan gushed, pressing urgent little kisses over Lucas’ cheeks and hair.

  “Off -Off, brat!” he managed to get Cavan at arm’s length. “Anyone would think you’d dosed up on sugar before you got here.”

  Cavan had the decency to blush as he returned to his seat, “I’m sorry, it’s just that -this is the best present I’ve ever gotten! And it means more to me that it came from you …”

  Lucas smiled as sincerely as possible. It made his mouth hurt. “Well, I’m glad you like it.”

  “I love it!”

  “Fine, I’m glad you love it.”

  Cavan beamed as he gently tucked the book into his bag, wrapping paper and all. “So, what’s the plan for the rest of the day?”

  “Whatever you like. Think of it as my making up for ruining your birthday.”

  “Lucas, you didn’t -”

  “Shush. I want to do something for you, so stop whining and think of something.”

  Cavan bit back a grin. He sipped his coffee and tried to think of what he would really like to do. It was such a nice day outside, it’d be a shame to waste it, however he couldn’t really think of what to do. His mind was coming up a blank.

  “What if … we went on a picnic?”

  Lucas frowned. “A picnic?”

  “Yeah, we could just grab some food, drive out somewhere, relax in the sun. Have a little adventure.”

  “A picnic?”

  Cavan’s enthusiasm fell. “We don’t have to.”

  Lucas wrinkled his nose, “I don’t mind, I just feel like a little schoolgirl when you say picnic.”

  “Okay … Ground lunch.”

  Lucas fought another smile. Damn the brat! He shouldn’t be able to make him smile. “Fine, let’s grab what we need and then we can go back for my car.”

  Cavan grinned. He downed the last of his coffee and then followed Lucas out of the door. About two streets down they came across a mini-market and grabbed as much as would fit in their bags before heading back across town in the direction of Lucas’ flat.

  The building looks a lot less formidable in the daylight, but not by much. The dark metal that made up the doors, fencing and balconies made the place feel like a fortress. Lucas went under the walkway towards the small private parking area behind the building. Cavan followed, his eyes widening at the sight of the teacher’s BMW. Lucas slid into the driver’s side and Cavan hastened to the passenger’s side, for fear he’d be left behind.

  Lucas pulled out onto the main road, turned right and continued on away from the main hub of Hayes.

  They across a large wooded area about forty minutes away from the flat; Lucas claimed to have never been to the area before, which amazed Cavan. He had looked so in control behind the wheel, cool and calm behind his shades, that he had assumed Lucas knew where he was going. He felt nervous and excited all at the same time, barely daring himself to speak.

  At the top of a hill, they’d spread out an old blanket Lucas had stashed away in his boot. Reclining back against his bundled up jacket and bag, Cavan had munched his way through his snacks, lamenting about how strict his dad was being, especially after the incident with his sisters ex. At the mention of said incident, Lucas had frowned, tilted his shades up onto his head and held out his hand.

  “May I see your arm?” he asked.

  Cavan cut himself, mid-rant, and blinked owlishly. “My arm?”

  Lucas motioned for him to hurry up. Lifting the sleeve of his hoodie, Cavan showed the still-bandaged arm. Before he could stop him, Lucas has neatly unravelled just enough of the bandage to glimpse the minor puckering of a scar beneath. He tutted under his breath, his fingers so gentle as they shifted Cavan’s arm back and forth.

  “It honestly barely even hurts anymore. It’s just a little tickly sometimes.”

  “Hm,” was all Lucas said as he rewrapped the bandage. He cocked a leg up and rested his arm on his knee, staring off across the treetops. “I’m sorry that happened to you.”

  Cavan nodded, “I know. I am too.”

  The silence was calm; a soft breeze rustled through the blooming trees, the sun shone down on them between the clouds and the smell of grass and earth wafted over them.