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Laughter burst out of Joseph before he could stop it. “Oh shit! That must’ve been awkward.”
She suppressed a smile. “It wasn’t my favourite moment.”
Joseph held up his fists. “Next time I see Matthew, he’s gonna regret doing that to you, Ellie. Seriously...”
“Well, if it makes you feel any better, Matthew’s being blackmailed too – Stinger told him not to tell anyone about any of this, or he’ll make him a cuckold to the world.”
“Jesus… Wait, does Matthew know about Ivan?”
“Not really – Stinger didn’t reveal any details.” She drifted over to him. “I’m so sorry this has happened.”
He wrapped her in his arms. “It’s not your fault, sweetheart. I should’ve kept my mouth shut. I guess you never know who’s listening.”
“You needed to tell someone. You can’t live your life not trusting anyone.”
He kissed her on the head. “I know. And I’m glad I told you. Ivan might not be too happy, though.”
She winced “Shall we get ready to leave?”
“Yeah. I’m ready.”
“Well, I still don’t have my make-up bag.”
“Don’t worry, Ellie. You look beautiful. Perfect, in fact.”
“Thanks. I guess I’d better clean up my face, or your family will think I’m a prize-fighter!”
Eleanor washed her face, then they left in Joseph’s car for Dylan and Sarah’s apartment across town. Joseph parked and started to climb out, but Eleanor didn’t seem to be moving.
“Maybe I should wait in the car,” she said.
“Don’t be silly, babe. My brothers are good people, and I’ll take all the flack.”
“Did you even tell them I was coming tonight?”
He shrugged. “They don’t mind. Sarah will have cooked tons of food. Come on.”
“I’ll wait here. You fill them in, then I’ll join you. I need a moment to gather my thoughts.”
He kissed her. “Alright. Lock the doors and keep your phone to hand.”
He put his shades on, always feeling safer behind them, then he climbed out into the cold and made his way to Dylan’s apartment building, where he pressed the buzzer. Dylan buzzed him in from upstairs, so he made his way up, feeling as if he was heading for the gallows.
Dylan opened the door to his apartment dressed in his usual expensive suit over a crisp white shirt. Joseph’s older brothers always looked so smooth and well-groomed, and he felt underdressed. But Dylan didn’t seem worried. He pulled him close and hugged him boisterously, allowing his cool businessman persona to drop. “Hey, kiddo. Where have you been? We were about to start without you. You okay?”
“Yeah, shall we go through? Is everyone here?”
“Yeah. Ivan’s on Skype.”
Joseph followed Dylan through to the dining room. He loved this spacious apartment with its modern furnishings and hardwood floor. The traditional old roaring fire was welcome on this freezing November evening, as were the smiles that greeted him around the table from Sarah, Adam, and Amy. He saw that Ivan was there on the laptop screen, which had been set up at the end of the table. They’d already started eating and he felt guilty about arriving so late.
“Hey, everyone,” Joseph said.
“I’ll get your dinner, Joseph,” Sarah said, standing. “You look like you could use a hot meal inside you.”
Joseph sat down and opened his mouth to thank her, but Dylan waved at her to sit. “Wait, Sarah, we need to finish this conversation first.” He turned to face Joseph. “Ivan’s got something to tell you.”
Joseph rested his elbows on the table. He’d obviously interrupted an important conversation, but he had a feeling his announcement was going to trump anything anyone else said. “Oh. Well, I’ve got something to tell you all myself actually.” He looked into their expectant eyes. How could he just blurt it out like that? He stalled. “Er… Firstly, I’m deferring college indefinitely.”
