Page 3 of Bound By Ink

“Killian,” he yells out. “Pack it in!” He shoves at me to get me off, but I squeeze harder before pushing him away and laughing. He groans, stumbles, and glares at me before he sits on the sofa while I clean up, making sure I meticulously wipe down everything, leaving the shop immaculate for tomorrow. I grab my keys and head for the door.

“Well, are you coming or not, dickhead?”

He snatches his bag and coat and follows me out the door. He runs over to the car while I lock up.

“Killian. Open it!” He jumps up, grabbing and yanking at the handle. Laughing, I leave him standing in the rain while I fumble intentionally with the lock.

“Killian,” he yells again, and I turn and click the fob, opening the door. I jog over, and he scrambles to get in, then tries to lock the door from inside, but I’m too fast and slide into the driver’s seat. I grin at him. And he rolls his eyes at me.

After snatching off his glasses, he grumbles as he tries to dry them on his jumper, his hair damp and his lashes dark and clumped from the rain. We drive incomfortable silence. I tap along to the radio until we pull up at the restaurant.

“Table for two.” The waitress asks as we enter.

“Yes, please.” Scott rushes off after her, and I follow him to the small table at the back. He’s already sitting with the menu in his hands when I get there. I slide into the seat opposite him and pick up my own menu.

“Killian, can I ask you something?”

“Sure, Nerd. What’s up?”

Scott scrunches his nose up, but he huffs out a breath, quirking the side of his mouth, making his dimple pop, and I smirk, peering over the menu at him.

“So, there’s this guy…” My heckles immediately stand up. I sit straighter and place the menu down. I don’t like this. Scott’s too kind, too trusting; he has such a pure soul; no one deserves him. I slide my hands under the table, my fists clench as I try to relax my shoulders.

“What guy?” My voice is lower than normal; that protective streak running through me. I stare at his face, barely containing the growl trying to erupt from me.

“He works in the sandwich shop near campus. He’s… He asked me out.” He keeps his eyes trained on the menu.

“What sandwich shop?” I snap.

“Killian!” he sighs. “I’m asking you a question. I don’t need you going over there. I just want to know what I should wear. I want to look… cool.”

He looks nervous, almost. This isn’t the Scott I know. He doesn’t worry what people think about him; he dresses in what makes him comfortable. “Dude, you’re a fucking nerd. You act like a nerd. You look like a nerd. If he’s asked a nerd out, then he’s expecting to go on a datewith a fucking nerd.” His jaw tightens, and I blow out a breath, rolling my neck. I rest my hands on the table. “Look, you’re special. You’re beautiful just the way you are. He’d be lucky to have you. You don’t have to change for anyone.” I reach over the table and take his hand, his cheeks flush as his eyes meet mine.

He stares at me, assessing my gaze before sighing. “Do you have to keep saying nerd?” He screws his nose up, but the small smile that graces the corner of his lips tells me he loves it, really.

I smirk. “If it looks like a nerd, quacks like a nerd, it’s a fucking nerd… Just be yourself, yeah.” All the seriousness evaporates for a second before he stiffens.

“Do you think he’ll like me?” He looks at me, his eyes pleading. An uncertainty I don’t like. This isn’t like him. But I tell him the truth.

“No, dude, you’re fucking annoying. Why would he?” I tug his hand so he looks at me. “All jokes aside. Just be you, okay? What’s not to love?”

He rolls his eyes and grins at his menu, the edges of his glasses slightly fogged from the warmth of the restaurant. His cheeks blush around his dimples, and I shake my head.

God, he’s too fucking cute. Even his clothes—his starched white shirt and V-neck jumper, his corduroys and Converse, coupled with his leather messenger bag in the car—complete his nerdy look. He normally has his head buried in a book, but he’s attractive in a Clark Kent kind of way. He’s so intelligent, funny, and kind that anyone would be lucky to have him. And while Scott can be naïve, I’m not, so I make a mental note to visit the surroundingsandwich shops and check this guy out. I’m allowed to tease him. He’s family. But I refuse to let anyone hurt him.

He orders extra food and grins at me, and I know he’s done it because of my nerd remarks. It’s kind of our vibe. We eat, and he tells me about the guy. The more he talks, the more I hate him. This guy sounds like a right tool. But I smile and nod while he gushes about “Sandwich Shop Guy”, but he sounds like a total loser. After the meal wraps up, I pay, and we leave. Scott groans and rubs his non-existent stomach, moaning about eating too much, as I pull up outside his house.

“You coming in?”

“Nah, dude, I’ll see ya soon, yeah.”

He nods, leans over, punches me in the arm, before diving out of the car, turning and running up to the house. The light flicks on, and then he spins, waving before closing the door.

Scott

Chapter 3

I slam the door shut and take my coat off, tossing it onto the radiator. My brother is in the living room gaming, and I roll my eyes. I head upstairs and jump in the shower. When I get back, I check my phone, getting giddy when I see a message from Derren, the guy from the sandwich shop.