The Other Side of Here - E.M. Lindsey Page 0,75

his mom too much to risk her for another.

They were happy with him, they always told him. You were the perfect little gift.

He missed them with a sudden and furious ache. He wondered if they’d know what to say right now.

Wrapping his arms tighter around his middle, he realized he wasn’t sure he wanted to know. He didn’t think he wanted to be a different person—he just wanted something to soften the landing as he fell from whatever semblance of grace he’d achieved.

But he was on the ground now—cold and unforgiving. His bones felt as shattered as his heart did, but there was a spark of hope, a belief that it could only get better from here.

He wasn’t entirely sure he believed it, but he wasn’t ready to give up on the idea just yet.

The pub came into view as he turned the corner, a little wooden plaque above the door with a pig on it, the letters on the sign faded. But it was the address, so he stepped inside and was startled by the warm air. It wasn’t very crowded, but there were people behind him trying to push their way inside, so he made his way down the narrow hall and into the main bar area.

It was nothing like the bars in the US. It was subdued and easy, people laughing and talking without the heavy pulse of music that took over your entire body. There was sports on the TV in the corners and high tables with stools holding older men with grey hair shoving fries in curry sauce into their mouths.

Everyone had a pint.

Everyone had a grin.

Even the most tired looking ones were relaxed in ways he wasn’t sure he’d ever been. Xan rubbed the back of his neck then walked over to the bar and offered the woman standing there a half smile. She looked unamused like most of the locals did when he tried to be American friendly, but she didn’t walk off either, so it was a start.

“Can I get a pint of…” His gaze trailed over the taps, then he pointed to one, not really caring what it was.

It came out like black sludge, and the man beside him gave a little laugh when he saw Xan’s face. “New at this?” His accent wasn’t English the way most people in London spoke—a little harder around the edges and lacking the soft Rs.

“I guess I am,” Xan admitted. He curled his hands around the glass and was surprised to find it on the warm side. “This is going to kill me, isn’t it?”

The man snorted, then reached over and eased the pint toward himself, holding up a finger. “Give the poor fella a Grolsch,” he called out, and the bartender laughed before pouring another. Xan looked over—really looked over—and saw he was actually very attractive. He had a sort of ambiguous look about his age—a few lines around his mouth, but his light brown hair was soft and full. His hands were slender, fingers long, and he wore a silver ring around his first finger, which he tapped on the bar top. “I think I nursed on this as a wain,” he said with a wink. “Doesn’t affect me much anymore.”

Xan didn’t understand about a third of what the man said, but he didn’t mind. He stuck out his hand, and the guy grinned wider as he took it. “Alexander. American—which I’m sure you can tell.”

“Even before I heard the cute accent,” the man said, dragging his palm away slowly. “You’ve that look about you.”

Xan blushed. “It’s awful, isn’t it?”

“Only that you went and got yourself in a pub brawl already.” He jutted his chin at Xan’s face, and he couldn’t help a furious blush. The bruises were gone, but a scar on his lip remained and he didn’t think that was ever going away. It was big. And it was obvious.

“Uh…no. No, that was from um. From before.”

The man’s eyes got wide, and he seemed to understand he’d stumbled onto something delicate. “Well, you don’t have to worry about going around with me. I’ve always been a lover not a fighter. I’m Cian by the way—all the way from Belfast.”

Ireland, his helpful high school geography told him. “Long way to travel?”

“Nah. I’ve been here going on eight years now. Got an alright job. I mean, it’s in my blood to hate the English, but we get on alright as long as they keep the pay coming.”

Xan couldn’t help his laugh. The

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