“Fine,” I said, hoping I wouldn’t live to regret it. “I’ll talk to him.”
Cole launched himself at me, narrowly avoiding the cat. “Thank you.”
I’d only come for Sunday lunch, and I was going home with one, possibly two new additions to my house.
How had that happened?
Chapter 2
Jasper
“You didn’t haveto bring me, you know. I could’ve caught the bus.” Two actually, which would’ve been a pain in the arse, but I would’ve done it.
Cole rolled his eyes. “And you could’ve asked your mum for a lift.”
He had a point. “Yeah.” I sighed. “I didn’t want to be a pain.”
“She’s your mum, Jasper. You know she wouldn’t mind.”
“I know, it’s just...” I sighed, frustrated. I couldn’t explain it to Cole when I didn’t know myself why I now felt so out of place in my childhood home. “I don’t know.”
He didn’t press the matter, knowing I didn’t want to talk about it now. Cole was good like that. He’d always known when I’d needed space to get my thoughts organised and when I needed that push to let them out. As mates went, he was the best.
“Anyway, we’re here.” He pulled up on the side of the road in front of a row of six newish-looking terraced houses; their small gardens all neat and tidy.
I peered out the window. “Which one’s Finn’s?” I couldn’t see his car anywhere.
“That one.” He pointed to the end terraced house on the left. “His is a three-bed. The others in the middle are fours, I think. And the garage is round the back. Pretty sure it’s got parking for two cars, so when you get yours back, you can either park here or behind the garage.”
I laughed at his certainty. “He’s not agreed to let me move in yet.”
Cole turned off the engine and shifted to face me. “He will though. If he was dead set against the idea, we wouldn’t be here.”
“Hmm.” I wasn’t convinced. Part of me thought he was going through the motions just to get Cole off his back. The other part of me desperately hoped Cole was right. I needed to get out of my mum’s house before I said something I’d regret. It didn’t hurt that Finn was sexy as fuck. Coming home to that after my ten-hour shift would be something to look forward to.
Not that anything would happen between us. I had no illusions there. I’d always be his little brother’s best mate. I knew he found me attractive, I’d seen the way he’d looked at me in the bar when he didn’t know who I was. But I’d also seen the look of horror as realisation dawned.
Still, didn’t meanIcouldn’t look.
“Jasper.” Cole prodded me in the arm. “You coming or what?”
I glanced at him to see he had his door open with one foot already out the car, and guessed it probably wasn’t the first time he’d called my name. “Yeah, sorry.”
The housing estate we were on was about twenty years old, at least I thought that’s what my mum had said last night. The area was quiet but was within walking distance to a fair few shops, plenty of pubs and supermarkets. I didn’t need much more, and if I did, I could always go into the city.
Following Cole down the short path to the front door, my heart rate picked up. Not nerves per se, but I was definitely a little apprehensive.
Finn answered the door after a few seconds, opening it with one hand and holding a big black-and-white cat in the other. It was kind of slumped over his shoulder, looking like it had no intention of ever moving.
I laughed. “I see you ended up with the stray. How long did it take them to persuade you?”
“He caved almost straight away,” Cole piped up, tone gleeful. “It was far too easy.”
Finn rolled his eyes but stepped back to let us inside.
I gave the cat a fuss as I passed him, secretly over the moon that Finn had taken him. Cole’s mum had shown me her latest addition on Sunday when I arrived, and I’d loved him on sight. A little rough around the edges, with big fat paws and a purr like a tractor. If I could’ve taken him home with me, I would have. We used to have cats; the last one died while I was travelling. I thought my mum might’ve got another rescue, but it turned out Clive, her new boyfriend, was allergic. Not his fault, I know, but it still served to piss me off. Like he was taking something from her.
I pushed those thoughts aside and plastered on a smile. “Have you thought of a name yet?” I waited until Finn closed the door before walking where he pointed.
