Operation Fake Relationship - Jay Northcote Page 0,1

going snowboarding.” Snowboarding? Since when was his brother into snowboarding? Nick was even more out of touch than he’d realised. “It’s going to be Seth’s first Christmas, and I know Maria would love both his uncles to be there for it. It’s important to her.”

“Why isn’t she asking me herself then?” Nick sounded like a petulant child, but his stomach was churning. His sister, Maria, was the only person in his family he had a strong connection with. They’d remained close despite everything, and since she and Adrian had moved to Scotland, he didn’t see her nearly as often as he would have liked. Seth had been born almost a year ago, and Nick had only seen him twice. He’d love to spend time with Maria and his nephew at Christmas, but not if it meant he had to spend time with his father too. Maybe he could arrange to visit her for a few days afterwards instead.

“Because she knows it would put you on the spot, and she doesn’t want to use her baby as leverage to guilt trip you into agreeing.”

Nick gave a bark of surprised laughter at his mother’s honesty. “So you’re doing it instead?”

“Yes.” Her voice was determined. “I’m not above emotional blackmail. Maria isn’t the only one who wants her whole family together for Christmas. It’s been too long, Nick. It’s time you and your father worked things out.”

“I don’t want—”

“Nick! I know things were difficult in the past but he’s changed; you’ll see that for yourself if you give him a chance. He’s stopped drinking, and he’s sticking to it this time. It’s been almost a year now. I know he wants a chance to fix things with you, but he’s too proud to ask for it himself.”

Or too much of a coward, Nick thought. Anger clenched hot and tight in his stomach.

Then, more softly, his mother added, “I miss you, Nick. Please come home.”

“I’ll think about it,” he said. “I can’t talk more now. I have to go. I’m cooking and it’s nearly ready.”

“Okay.”

“Bye, Mum.” He ended the call and sank into one of the kitchen chairs with a growl of frustration.

“What’s going on?” Jackson turned from the cooker and raised a sympathetic eyebrow. Their friendship went back far enough that he’d witnessed Nick’s rift with his parents.

“She wants me to come home for Christmas.” Nick sighed. “And so does Maria… although apparently she wasn’t going to tell me that. But my mother had no qualms about playing the nephew’s-first-Christmas card to try and persuade me.”

“Are you going to do it?” Jackson frowned.

“I dunno. Is that chicken done now?” Nick was hungry, and he wanted time for his whirling thoughts to settle a little. “Can we talk about it later?”

“Sure, man. Whatever you need.”

They ate in front of the TV. Jackson picked Deadpool to watch—a favourite for both of them—and Nick was glad it was something he’d seen before because he wasn’t able to concentrate on it properly. His relaxing Friday night had been knocked off course and anxiety tugged at him, like a child trying to get his attention.

He glanced sideways as Jackson laughed at something on the screen, and the hard edges of his mood softened a little.

Nick was grateful to have such a good friend. Although it was good to have someone to talk to when he needed, it was worth even more to have someone who let him not talk until he was ready. Jackson’s solid presence made him feel comforted and safe. Jackson always had his back. He’d wait until Nick was ready to spill his tangled thoughts, and he’d help him unravel them if necessary.

Once the film was over and the credits were playing, Nick turned to Jackson and said, “I think I want to do it.”

“Yeah?” Jackson picked up the remote and turned the TV off.

“Yep. I reckon I can handle being under the same roof as him for a couple of nights. At least he’s not drinking anymore.”

“Are you sure?”

“No,” Nick replied. “Not at all. But it’s the least shitty option. I want to see my sister and her family, and Maria wants to see me. I don’t want all of us to miss out on being together because of my father.”

“I get it.” Jackson nodded and then added, “But I hope you’re going to break it to my mum, because she’ll be gutted you’re not coming for Christmas there.”

“Yeah. I’ll tell her.” Jackson’s mum had become a substitute for his own, and she treated