And that pained him more than the sight of her with his brother’s arm around her.
Julian watched as Rob whispered in her ear as they returned to the wedding. If they were over, then the sight of them was deceiving. Rob was still in love with Stephanie. Before he was able to think further about his brother’s love for her, Julian felt his phone vibrate. When he pulled it out, Tara’s name was on the screen.
Sighing, he swiped across the screen. “Yes?”
“Did you just ‘yes’ me?” Her sassy yet sexual tone was one she’d always used when she spoke to him. Tara’s behaviour bordered sexual harassment, but her flirtatious ways helped him travel and become her bitch in the office.
“What do you want, Tara? I told you that I was off until after my best friend’s wedding,” he reminded her as he sat in the cart, staring at the golf club.
“Don’t forget about Monday. We don’t deal with an advertising company like Rogers & Co., but they just became our biggest account. Something is wrong if they need our consulting. Maybe their business structure is ineffective. You majored in management, so you should be able to figure this out. Just do what you do and finish this job. I want you back in Sydney.”
His jaw clenched and he took a deep breath in. “You offered me the Melbourne office.”
“I’m taking that offer away. I need you in Sydney, Julian. Melbourne is fine without you.”
“No!” Julian growled. “That was not the deal! I went to Milan. I sold my fucking soul to do all the shit I’ve done for you all these years. I did what you wanted and the deal was I got the Melbourne position.”
“Don’t forget who the boss is, Julian. The offer is mine to make not yours. Just finish that consulting job and come back as soon as it’s finished.” Before Julian could fight back, Tara hung up. He stood up and slammed his palms into the steel pole of the golf cart.
“Might want to relax there, Julian.”
He turned around to see Alex with an extra beer in his hand that he handed to him.
“Thanks,” Julian said appreciatively and took a long sip of the cold alcohol.
“Must be weird being back, huh? With Rob and Stevie…” Alex trailed off and leant against the golf cart.
Julian breathed out and sat back on the cart. Then he took another sip, this time savouring the bitter taste. He needed something stronger. Beer definitely didn’t cut it. “I don’t want to talk about it, Alex,” he mumbled as he shook his head and placed the beer bottle between his legs.
Peeking up, he met Alex’s eyes. They were just a shade darker than Clara’s, but hers were a colour that was so unique to her. A pang of jealousy exploded in his chest. Had he seen what Noel saw in Clara all those years ago, he would have avoided Stephanie and avoided moving to Sydney.
“How do you feel now that Noel is officially your brother-in-law?” Julian asked to remind himself that Noel and Clara were fate. And so was meeting Stephanie.
A relieved smile spread across Alex’s face. “Like I can finally breathe again. Those two, I swear! But I’m happy. My sister is finally happy, and Noel’s always been my brother, just like you boys all have.”
Julian nodded. They had all grown up in the suburbs together; even after all those years, they were still brothers.
“How are you and Keira doing?” He wanted to hear about other people’s lives. He wanted that moment where he was distracted from the lonely and pathetic life he lived. Julian wanted to be lost in the stories of his friends’ happiness.
“Good. Really good. After watching Noel get married, I’m eager to get my ring on Keira’s finger. Not to spoil my sister’s day, but I need to get something off my chest,” Alex breathed out.
Julian stood up and placed the glass bottle on the cart seat. “What’s up?”
A smile touched Alex’s lips, and his body relaxed. “I’m going to be a father.”
“Well, holy shit! Congratulations!” Julian shook his head, and they shared a hug. When he took a step back, he could see the pure joy in Alex’s eyes.
“Thanks. I cried when I found out. Not going to be chicken shit over it. I’m going to have a son or daughter. I can’t imagine any other woman than Keira being the mother of my child.”