Ty’s face changes as soon as he sees Ollie. It becomes cooler.
‘I’m Ty,’ he says, waving.
‘The new neighbour,’ says Ollie, smiling back. ‘Well, I’m the original boy-next-door. And the best.’ I wince, why does Ollie always have to big himself up like this?
‘So this is the famous Ollie Pointer, in the flesh,’ says Ty,stepping forwards, holding out his hand. Ollie grabs it and they do a handshake so tense I am surprised someone’s arm doesn’t snap off.
‘And it’s nice to see you in person too,’ says Ollie. ‘Surprised you’ve made a show. I hear you’re a bit of an arse sometimes.’
‘And I hear you’re a bit flaky,’ says Ty.
‘How can I be flaky, I’m right here?’ says Ollie, with a tight smile.
‘Why don’t you come inside, Ty?’ I say, nodding towards the party. Ty’s still stood on the doorstep, Ollie almost blocking the entrance.
I see Ty hesitate, and I feel bad. Why is Ollie being so antagonistic? Is he . . . jealous?
In an alternate universe, maybe I would feel elated by Ollie’s jealousy. But right now I feel stressed. I don’t have time for male macho-ness – it’s my birthday!
I turn around. ‘Are you coming?’ I say, over my shoulder. Ty shrugs, pushes past Ollie and follows me in.
Before we can reach the kitchen, Ollie grabs me and pulls me into the living room, instantly closing the door behind us. Tori’s posse are the only people in here, playing a card drinking game that looks really complicated. They’re so caught up in it, they barely look at us.
‘What’s he doing here?’ he says.
‘What does it matter?’ I say, rolling my eyes. I have no time for this. I want to get back to my party.
‘Because you guys seemed to be always fighting,’ says Ollie. He’s leaning against the door, his arms crossed, head tilted down towards me. I feel myself caught in his familiar gaze, I can smell his aftershave waft off him. It’s distracting.
‘He’s fine now,’ I mumble.
‘How can he be fine now?’ says Ollie, taking a step back and waving his arms around, clearly oblivious to what I’m feeling.‘I’m concerned about you.’
Of course it’s concern, not anything more. I feel the sudden sharp sting of rejection all over again. Why do I keep getting my hopes up he might be feeling something more? Even though it’s been over a month since we last saw each other, I still feel that pull towards him. But it’s confusing, after the kiss with Ty.
‘Look, it’s fine,’ I say. ‘Let’s go back to the party.’
I yank the door open, and Ollie grabs my shoulder. I turn to face him.
‘What?’ I say.
‘I don’t want this guy to replace me,’ says Ollie, looking the most vulnerable I’ve ever seen him.
I soften. ‘Ollie, how can anyone replace you? We’ve been friends since birth.’
‘Okay,’ says Ollie, nodding. ‘I have a bad vibe from him, that’s all.’
‘Honestly, he’s not as bad as you think.’ And with that, I head back to the party.
In the kitchen, I see Ty standing outside the glass doors, a beer in hand, phone in the other.
‘Looks like you’re being sociable,’ I say, grabbing a jumper I had left lying around and walking outside.
‘You disappeared as soon as I came in,’ he says. ‘And I don’t really know anyone else here.’
His straightforwardness sets me on edge.
‘I’m sorry about that,’ I say plainly.
