Read Keep Me (Beggar's Choice #3) for Free Online Page A

you see my wrinkles?”
    “No wrinkles. You have a very manly forehead,” I sigh
theatrically and we laugh out loud. I like him immensely and I’ve already got
that feeling that you get with some people where you instantly know that
they’re going to be important to you.
    Bram huffs crossly as he sets my cup down in front of me,
passes me the cream from the fridge and shoves the sugar bowl at me. I smile my
thank you at him but then I’m distracted by the look of utter amazement that
Matt is giving Bram.
    “ What ?” Bram asks defensively. “What have I done?”
It’s obvious that this is a well-worn phrase by the way.
    Matt shakes his head. “You know how she takes her coffee.”
    “So?”
    “It’s just that I’ve known you since I was thirteen Bram and
we’ve been best friends all that time and you still can’t remember the most
basic details about me.”
    “I can.”
    “Really? Was it you serving me prawn fried rice the other
night when I’m allergic to shellfish?”
    “That was a fucking accident,” Bram says indignantly.
“Anyway I can’t keep up with your faddy eating habits.”
    Matt laughs loudly. “Faddy! I’m fucking allergic to
shellfish. It’s not a lifestyle choice you twat.”
    Bram waves his fingers at him dismissively. “Jog on kitty
and take your prawns with you.”
    They both laugh out loud and I watch them fascinated as they
dive back into the paperwork as it’s obviously a very established friendship.
They both obviously love each other a lot and finish each other’s sentences and
understand the cryptic comments thrown around.
    I eat some cereal watching them and make a mental note to
buy some food so that I’m not scrounging off Bram. The sound of my spoon
hitting the bowl interrupts them in a very lengthy conversation about haircuts,
bass guitar strings and a record company party. I’m surprised that I’ve managed
to follow it at all but when they look at me I seize my chance. “I’ll buy some
food today,” I say cheerily. “And you’ll have to let me look at some of the
bills so that I can give you some money for the gas and electricity.”
    “Give me money?” Bram is staring at me open mouthed and Matt
reaches over and gently closes it for him. “Why would you be giving me money?”
    “For bills,” I say patiently.
    “Why the fuck would I need your money to pay the bills
babe?”
    The incredulity in his voice angers me. “I might not have
much Bram but I’m perfectly capable of paying my way.”
    “No fuck off.”
    “Pardon?”
    “I know you’re perfectly capable of it but I. Am. Not.
Having. It. So put your fucking purse away.”
    We’re both standing up in our agitation and Matt clears his
throat looking at Bram curiously as if he’s never seen him before. “I think
Bram is trying to tell you that he thanks you for your kind offer Alys but he’s
going to have to refuse you because you are a guest in his house and the Irish
take that seriously. And Bram, Alys is trying to kindly offer you money because
she doesn’t wish to be seen to be imposing on your hospitality.”
    Bram’s face slowly loses its anger. “Have you swallowed a
dictionary,” he asks slowly and Matt laughs.
    “What’s got into you this morning mate? Alys is just trying
to help. This isn’t you - you never get cross.”
    Bram rubs his fingers along his beard and flashing me a look
he says something to me as he turns away and wanders over to the window. I
flush, suddenly mortified. I can’t hear him and I know he’s still talking but
it’s a faceless mutter. Matt catches my eye and says Bram urgently. Bram
turns and catches my expression.
    “What did I do?” he asks coming back and running a hand
gently down my hair.
    Taken aback by the gesture I hesitate and then give in. “My
hearing’s bad today so I can’t hear you properly when you turn your back on
me.” I’m so mortified and suddenly I fucking hate this disability so fucking much.
I hate that I can’t even have