I held up a hand. “I know, I know.” He’d been messing me around for the last few months since he’d moved out, and my family hadn’t been subtle about their displeasure. Whatever goodwill they’d felt for Evan when we were together had long since vanished.
“Anyway, Christian dragged me out to celebrate.”
“Good for him.” My mum beamed. Christian she adored.
With that out of the way, I took my place on the sofa next to Cole. “All right?” He looked like he’d just got out of bed, judging by the pillow creases and hair all over the place, but otherwise none the worse for his night out.
“Knackered.” He yawned to prove his point, making me yawn in turn. “But I’ve not thrown up in Mum’s flowers if that’s what you mean.”
“For which we’re all grateful, dear.” My mum patted him on the shoulder as she left for the kitchen.
Cole rested his head on the back of the sofa and turned to face me. “You and Christian must’ve left pretty early. I didn’t see you much.”
“Yeah, we left to get food.” I’d virtually dragged him out of there after we’d finished our drinks, much to his amusement.
Jasper chose that moment to come back inside, the faint trace of cigarette smoke clinging to him. He smiled as my dad patted the seat next to him.
“Jasper,” my dad said. “Come tell me more about those elephants in Thailand.” I watched as Jasper got his phone out and sat chatting with my dad, showing him photos of where he’d been and what he’d done.
It was far more interesting than I’d been expecting, and it took Cole nudging me with his knee to realise I’d been staring at them. “He had an amazing time by the sounds of it.” He nodded over at Jasper, voice more than a little wistful.
“You could’ve gone with him.” I remembered having this conversation with Cole over a year ago. “Do you regret it?”
Cole sighed, scrubbing a hand through his hair. “No. not really. I mean yeah, I’d love to see all the things he’s seen, but I couldn’t be away from home for that long. I’d miss it too much.”
Yeah, that was what he’d said back then. And to be honest, I couldn’t see him doing it either. Cole was all about family. I glanced at Jasper again, still engrossed with my dad. “Did Jasper not get homesick at all?”
Cole snorted. “Nope.”
Before I could get him to elaborate, Mum shouted that dinner was ready and we all headed into the kitchen to eat.
Lunch was as lively and delicious as usual.
Conversation ranged from everyone’s week at work, to gardening, to more about Jasper’s travels, next door’s dog, and finally, like I knew it would, my housing arrangements.
“So...” My dad set his knife and fork down and sat back in his chair. “Have you thought any more about what you’re going to do with the house?” He kept his voice neutral, letting me know whatever I chose to do they’d support, which I appreciated.
I’d been looking to buy when I’d started dating Evan. More of an investment than anything else. My great aunt Meg had left me and Cole half her bungalow between us, so I had a sizeable chunk of money to put down. When our relationship turned serious, I’d debated buying a house jointly, but my dad advised against it. He’d said there’d be plenty of time for that later. Thank fuck I’d listened to him and bought it on my own.
But I had got used to someone going halves on the bills, and paying for everything on my own was a bit of a struggle.
Taking a drink of water, I studied the glass for a moment before answering him. Despite the last few months being shit, I loved that house. I’d put a lot of work into it, and the thought of selling was just... I couldn’t do it. “I’m going to advertise for a lodger, I think.”
It was what I’d originally planned on doing before Evan, but after he left, I’d shied away from having anyone else in the house. I was fed up of never having any money though.
“Got anyone in mind?” my mum asked as she stood to start clearing the table.
I got up to help her. “No, I guess I’ll advertise, or whatever you do these days.”
“Well, just be careful, there are some strange people about.”
Talking of strange, as I reached for Cole’s plate, he leant in and whispered something to Jasper, too quiet for me to hear, but whatever it was, Jasper shook his head sharply and kicked Cole under the table if his wince was anything to go by. God knew what those pair were arguing about. Nothing I was interested in I was sure.
Jasper left soon after, with more furious whispering as Cole saw him to the door.
“What’s up with you two?” I eyed him curiously as he sat back down on the sofa. “Or shouldn’t I ask?”
Cole shot me a look I couldn’t decipher, then shook his head. “Nothing important.”
