Operation Fake Relationship - Jay Northcote Page 0,3

said. “This is your last chance to back out.”

Jackson paused his game and looked up. “Nah. I’m in. It might be quite fun. It’ll be like being a spy, or a secret agent or something.”

Nick grinned. “So, you’re ready to accept this mission?”

“Yeah. Operation Fake Relationship. Let’s do it.” Grinning back, he gave Nick a thumbs up before returning to his game.

Nick sat on the other end of the sofa, Jackson’s familiar bulk right there next to him a reassuring reminder that he wasn’t in this alone. “Here goes.”

“Good luck.”

Nick took a deep breath before hitting Call. Heart pounding, he waited as her phone rang and rang before finally going to answerphone.

“Fuck’s sake!”

“What’s wrong?” Jackson shot him a quick glance.

“Why don’t people keep their phones on them? I mean, what’s the point of having a mobile phone if it’s not with you. It’s a mobile. The clue is in the name!” All geared up to speak to her, he didn’t want to do this in a message. “Ugh. I’m going to have to use their landline, and bet my father picks up.”

Fuck it. He selected that number and hit Call again before he could chicken out.

“Hello?” His father’s voice was still so familiar.

It made something resonate deep inside Nick, evoking a strange push-pull of yearning and fury. He gripped his phone and clenched his other fist, digging his nails into his palm. “Hi. It’s Nick,” he said curtly. “Is my… is Mum there?” The word Mum caught in his throat.

After a short pause his father replied, “Yes, hold on.” There was a rustle and then his voice was more distant and muffled as he called, “Sue! It’s Nick for you.”

More rustling, and a few seconds later his mother was there, saying brightly, “Hi, Nick. How are you?”

“Fine.” Nick wasn’t here for chitchat so he cut to the chase. “I’ve decided that I’ll come for Christmas, just for a couple of nights though.”

“Oh, darling! That’s won—”

“But I’ll be bringing someone with me. I assume that’ll be okay?” He poked Jackson with his socked foot, grinning at him as he turned in Nick’s direction.

“Someone? Who?”

“My partner.” He upgraded Jackson instinctively. Boyfriend sounded too casual, too young. Nick wanted them to take this fake relationship seriously. Jackson raised his eyebrows.

“Partner?” The shock was evident in her voice. She was clearly getting more than she’d bargained for when she’d asked him to come back to the fold.

Silence followed, so Nick clarified. “Yes, partner. You know, my significant other, boyfriend, other half. Whatever you want to call him.”

“Yes, yes. I get it. Sorry. I’m just surprised because your dad and I had no idea you had a… partner.” She said the word as if it was unfamiliar. “Maria never mentioned you were in a relationship.”

Shit. Nick hadn’t planned for that. He’d have to call Maria and explain. He knew he could trust her to go along with the pretence, and she’d convince Adrian to do the same. “Well, why would she?” he asked breezily. “It’s not her news to tell, and she doesn’t like playing go-between.”

“Yes. Of course.” She sounded abashed. Nice save. Nick mentally patted himself on the back as she continued. “Well. That’s nice, Nick. What’s his name?”

“Jackson.” He let his gaze settle on his friend, whose focus was back on his game.

“Jackson? Isn’t that the chap you share a flat with? Maria’s mentioned him.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I thought you were just friends.”

“We are. I mean….” Nick floundered for a second. “We were. But one thing led to another.” He grimaced at Jackson, who was chuckling at Nick’s conversational flailing.

“Well, of course he’s welcome to join us for Christmas. It will be nice to meet him at last.”

“Are you sure Dad’s not going to have a problem with it—with us?”

“No, no,” she replied a little too quickly. “He wants the family back together for Christmas too, so he’ll be fine, love. Don’t worry.”

Given his father’s dubious attitude to homosexuality in the past, Nick doubted his father would be very happy with the situation. But if he wanted Nick back for Christmas, he was going to have to put up with him having a boyfriend. Jackson was part of the package.

“Okay, great.” Nick was starting to like the idea now it was unfolding in his imagination. What better way to stick two fingers up at his father than rocking up for Christmas with Jackson in tow, and subjecting him to lots of PDAs. “I’ll see you in a few weeks then. Bye, Mum.” Maybe he