A Christmas Break - Annabelle Jacobs Page 0,17
him or anything.
“Oh come on, Jasper. You used to watch him practising his golf swing with your tongue practically hanging out.”
In my defence, those trousers were super snug round his arse. “I was admiring his form.”
Cole barked out a laugh. “I’m sure you were. And also, eww, that’s my brother we’re talking about.”
It was, and now was as good a time as any to have this chat. I waited for him to swallow the bite of burger he’d just taken. “You don’t mind?”
“That you fancy my brother?”
I nodded.
“Nope.” His eyes narrowed as he studied me, mouth curving into a smirk. “Is it reciprocated? Should I be giving you an hour’s notice before I pop round? I don’t need to walk in on the two of you going at it.” He shuddered and I reached over the table to smack him on the arm.
“Fuck off.” I sighed. “And no, it’s not reciprocated. Well. Not really.”
“What does that mean?”
I told him about that night in the pub, how I thought Finn had definitely been chatting me up until he realised who I was.
Cole shook his head. “I thought he rushed off pretty sharpish,” he said, then finished the rest of his Coke and sat back in his chair. He had his thinking face on, and I wondered if I was going to like what he said next. “Did you talk about it?”
“Yeah, I mean it would’ve been awkward otherwise.”
“And?”
I slumped in my seat. “He said nothing was ever going to happen. I was your best mate and too young, blah blah blah.” Yeah, that still stung a bit.
“Sorry, mate, that must have been a bit shit.” He gave me a commiserating smile.
“I’ve got to say, this isn’t how I thought you’d react.”
“Why?” He gestured to me. “You’re one of the best people I know. Finn would be lucky to have you.” His expression darkened. “And after that wanker Evan did a number on him, you’d be just what he needs.” He smiled, looking serious though. “Honestly, mate. If you need any help getting him to come round, just ask.”
“Nope, no way.” I shook my head. “Please, no attempts at matchmaking.” I thought about some of the moments I’d shared with Finn since I’d moved in, contemplated sharing them with Cole to see what he thought, but by the looks of him, he needed no encouragement where me and Finn were concerned. “Anyway, enough about me. What’s happening with you and that girl at work?”
I settled back in my chair and listened to him talk excitedly about his latest crush. Cole’s reaction to what I’d thought was a big confession had kind of floored me, if I was honest, not that I should’ve been surprised. Cole was such a lovely bloke, it would never occur to him to be pissed off.
Not that it changed anything.
Finn had said no, and I had to respect that.
And I did.
Just sometimes I got mixed messages from him, intentional or not.
I tuned back into Cole and pushed thoughts of Finn to the back of my mind.
I couldn’t force anything.
Things would either happen or they wouldn’t.
Work on Tuesday was as long and boring as usual. I got up in the dark and got home in the dark. Setting off at 6:40am meant I didn’t see Finn in the morning, and by the time I got home, I was so knackered, I was shit company. He took one look at me and made me go sit on the sofa while he made dinner.
As a thank you, I fell asleep at half-past eight and he had to nudge me awake to go to bed. The rest of the week took on a similar pattern. I got in, exhausted, he had dinner waiting for me, and then we collapsed on the sofa watching TV.
I was usually in bed by 9.30, but at least I managed to clear up the kitchen most nights. Against Finn’s protests, but it was the least I could do. I wasn’t the only one who’d been at work all day. The difference was after a year doing what I wanted, I wasn’t used to having to do a ten-hour shift standing up. I probably needed better shoes, but that aside, it wasn’t Finn’s fault I was knackered all the time.
I could get used to being looked after like that though: a lovely home-cooked meal when I walked through the door and great company.
Yeah, I could get used to that far too easily.
But one thing I hadn’t done, and