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“At quarter to seven? In the morning?”
He knows me too well.
I scramble to come up with something believable. Failing miserably, I just shrug. “It’s a nice morning.”
He sits up and levels me with a stare. “Did Jake call you?”
“He’s obviously worried about you.” My phone buzzes and we both look down at the screen.
He sighs. “What did he tell you?”
“Nothing.”
He raises his eyebrows.
“Nothing. Seriously. He said you went out early and left your phone at home. But nowIwant to know what’s going on.” I narrow my eyes at him. “I got out of bed at ridiculous o’clock to come find your arse, so I deserve to know why I’m up before the bloody roosters.”
Oliver’s grin is lopsided, flashing his dimples. “You got out of bed for me?”
I swat him. “Quit trying to distract me, Oli.”
He rubs the back of his neck. “I feel close to my dad here. Footy was our thing, you know.”
Levelling him with a stare, I poke him in the side. “What happened? What’s got Jake so worried that he’s calling me?”
Oliver shakes his head. “I don’t want to get into it.”
“I’m your best friend.” I push. “You know you can tell me anything.”
He clenches his fists then shakes them out again. “Just leave it.”
“How can I help if you won’t tell me what’s wrong?”
“I don’t want to talk about it!” he snaps.
“Okay, okay.” I throw my hands up in defence. Oliver’s never once raised his voice at me in the thirteen years we’ve been friends. As the silence stretches on between us, I pick at blades of grass.
“I’m sorry,” I say, finally. “I only want to help.”
“I know.” Oliver offers me a small smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “I’m sorry for snapping at you. I really don’t want to get into it right now, okay?”
I nod. “Okay.” I pause, knowing he’s already on edge. “Sam said your mum wanted you to talk to a professional… maybe it’s not such a bad idea?”
“Isaidleave it!”
“Alright!”My cheeks flush as I mime zipping my lips shut and throwing away the key. Leaning back on my elbows, I close my eyes and let the sun warm my face. I really want to know what’s going on with him, but it’s clearly a touchy subject. “What’re your plans for the rest of the day?”
Calmer, he says, “Hanging out with you.”
Without opening my eyes, I grin. “And if I want to go back to bed?”
“Too bad,” he says with a laugh, nudging me with his foot.
∞
Christmas came and went. Usually on Christmas Day, Oliver and I would eat lunch at home with our respective extended families before meeting up with a bunch of friends at someone’s house. Understandably, Oliver wasn’t up for going out this year. So instead we curled up on my couch with Brad, eating popcorn and watching Christmas movies.
I assumed New Year’s Eve would be much the same, but he shows up early, ready to go to Ashley’s house party.
