“I know what to sign up for now, that’s all.”

“Do what you want.”

“That an invitation?”

“Go away.” Ollie hissed.

“I will, but I’ll see you at art class. Maybe you can be the nude model, Rory, but for my eyes only.”

He winked, then carried on to his table and sat down with his group of inmates. They’d all started wearing red bandanas, and when he asked Sebastian about it, he said not to worry.

Rory spotted Sebastian coming down the stairs. He threw a venomous glare at Pauly and walked straight to Rory and Ollie. He placed the chessboard he’d been holding on the table, then sat on the opposite side of the table to Rory.

“What did he say to you?”

“Said he was gonna sign up for art class.”

“Art class?”

Ollie nodded. “Yeah, I signed me and Rory up.”

“I guess I’ll be doing that class, too … again,” Sebastian sighed.

“You gonna tell me what the red bandanas are about yet?”

“He’s getting a gang together.”

“To do what?”

Sebastian grinned, but it was crazed, and Rory leaned away.

“To beat the shit out of me.”

“What?”

“Relax, he’s got seven guys, I’ve got the rest of the prison on my side. He starts on me, he’ll lose.”

“It only takes one guy to stab you.” Rory mumbled.

Sebastian gave him a considering look, then tilted his head. “True, but think of the positives—if someone sticks a knife in me, you get the cell all to yourself.”

“That’s not funny.”

“You could even wear my clothes.”

Rory looked at Sebastian’s overly tight t-shirt. His hard nipples poking through. His mouth went dry, and he muttered, “No, thanks.”

“Chess.”

Ollie groaned. “Really?”

Sebastian started setting up the board. “Me and Rory get pleasure from it.”

Rory’s neck prickled at the word pleasure, and he shook his head at the odd reaction.

Ollie looked at Sebastian. “I get why you play it, you’re ancient, but Rory…”

Sebastian slammed the pieces down with more force than necessary, and Ollie shot back in his chair.

“I meant no offense.” He blurted.

Rory gestured to himself, then Sebastian. “To me or him.”

“Him, obviously. Well, if you’re gonna play, I’ll go hang out with Teddy.”

“You could watch.”

“No thanks, it’s far too intimate.”

Rory couldn’t even deny it. Over the past few days, chess had gone from passing the time to intense and exciting.

There were no words, it was all facial expressions and lingering eye contact. The prison was full of inmates, but in the hours they played, it felt like just the two of them.