Cocky Notes - Leesa Bow Page 0,54
to gape at me.
“No fucking way,” I say into the bottle as though it holds my happiness and all the answers I need to know.
“Mate. What’s going on?” Chance lands a hand on my shoulder.
“I’m not stupid enough to hook-up with her again.”
“Not what I’m talking about. What’s going on with you and Mace?”
I give him a long look before answering, a look Chance recognises since we grew up together. “Not tonight.”
“Fine. I know you bottle shit up, but you and me, we’re going for a beer tomorrow.”
“Won’t change anything.”
“At least I can be your wingman tonight, so you don’t make a bigger mistake.” He nods in the direction to where Felicity strutted over to another group of guys.
“A bigger mistake?”
“Yeah. Bigger than what happened between you and Macy.”
The following afternoon my mother beats me to answering the door.
“Happy New Year, Mrs Burton.” Chance hugs my mother and kisses her on the cheek.
“Chance. It’s always lovely to see you.” One delicate hand remains on his shoulder while she assesses him. Usually, it’s a weight thing as she’s ready to tell us we need to eat more.
“Bet you’re happy to have your boy home at this time of year.”
“Yes. His brother misses him, too. He can’t wait for him to come back to Melbourne at the end of the season, so he can watch him play football and not the handful of games we watch on the TV.” She gives me a warm smile. “Although we understand why he moved to Adelaide.”
“Reckon he’s happy even though there’s barely a minute he’s not holding a beer. I know it’s the festive season and all, but my brother is taking it to the next level.”
“Jesus,” I utter at my brother. “Give it a rest.”
He laughs and gives a playful push to my shoulder, although not hard enough for me to stumble, considering I’m twice his size. My brother is an athlete, a marathon runner, and a student at university studying architecture.
“You’re jealous you don’t have the body weight to hold more than a few beers,” I tell Noah. Chance pats my gut as though it’s an imaginary beer gut. “Bugger off.”
“Darling, you’re going to have to run with your brother before heading back to Adelaide for preseason training. We’ve all noticed you letting yourself go these holidays.”
“Thanks, Mum.” I lift my T-shirt to make a point. “You could still grate cheese on these babies.” I slap my belly while contracting my abs.
“What do you think, Mrs B?” Chance lifts his top. “What football code trains harder?” Then my brother joins in. “Noah, you tell us. What code wins?”
My brother chuckles and pats his abs with zero fat. “You both lose.”
“Boys, please. Next you’ll be dropping your pants and comparing your penises like you did when you were eight.”
“And I won there, too.” I chuckle.
Both Noah and Chance groan but don’t say anything.
“Darling, I’d like you to win in other ways.” Mum pats my cheek. “Where are you and Chance headed?”
“I was going to suggest a bar down the road, but I’m happy to hang here by the pool.”
“Fine by me.” Chance pulls off his top. “Everyone likes to see me sitting around the pool, don’t they, Mrs B?”
Mum giggles a little. “Oh, Chance, you haven’t changed.”
“Still a douchebag,” I say under my breath, which results in a punch to my right shoulder.
“So, what made you have a New Year’s party?” I ask Chance when we’re finally alone.
“I’m back on the road for games interstate in a couple of days and thought it’s a way for me to catch up with mates. Haven’t seen some blokes since we left school.”
I nod and sense there’s another reason. “How’s the family?”
He leans back on the sunbed and stares up to the sky. “It’s why I had the party then and not near Christmas, so I could spend more time with my parents. Something’s going on with my dad. I know it’s not good, but he’s not giving me all the deets. Said he’d talk to me if there’s a problem and not to be worried.” He glances at me and shakes his head. “He’s hiding something because he doesn’t want us to be concerned.”
“Sorry, mate.” I lean forward and pat his back. “Life can be a kick in the guts sometimes.”
“Yeah.” He stands and strips down before jumping into the water. Thankfully the pool is screened from the house as he would have mooned my mother. He surfaces and leans his forearms over the edge. “So,