Page 20 of The Winning Ticket

“Could you afford to live on your own and then advertise for a housemate for yourself?”

“Sadly, that is not an option given how expensive rent is. Seriously, when did Brisbane become so expensive? It’s almost like Sydney prices!”

“Since all you Southerners kept moving up here ’cause it’s so awesome.” Morgan jabs me in the side, laughing when I frown at her. “I’m serious. That is actually the reason. All those years of everyone giving Brisbane shit, and now they’ve woken up to how great it is. Chris and I have been watching the market for buying, and I think we need to get our asses into gear. Otherwise, it’s never going to happen.”

“When did we become grown-ups, complaining about the property market? I don’t like this.”

“Sorry, I’ll take my boomer hat off now. Instead, I’m going to ask you about boys.”

“Cause that’s not like a boomer at all.” I shoot her a pointed look.

“What was up with you being in Jake’s bedroom last week?”

I freeze. “What do you mean?” I ask, attempting to sound casual.

Morgan rolls onto her side to stare at the side of my head while I keep my eyes trained on the ceiling. “Don’t. I know you slept in there on Saturday night.”

I turn my head to meet her gaze.

“Yeah, slept. As in, I slept on my side, and when he came to bed hours later, he slept on his side,” I state.

Morgan continues to stare at me.

“Seriously. My options were to risk being thrown up on by Kylie or sleep on the couch, where I would have to wait for you all to go to bed before I could fall asleep. I was done by eleven.” I wasn’t sure why I was getting so defensive.

“Is there something going on that I should know about?”

“What could possibly be going on? I’ve been home for a week and, until last Saturday, haven’t seen or spoken to Jake in years.” I can’t believe my sister is being so weird about this.

“I just…” She hesitates before continuing. “I worry that you aren’t really dealing with all the shit with Dick, and I would hate to see Jake become your rebound.”

“Seriously, Morgan. Nothing is going on with Jake. He was just being a nice guy and could see that my options for somewhere to sleep were limited. Next time, I’ll just Uber home if you’re going to make me go out and then leave me with nowhere to sleep.” I’m annoyed now.

It was literally her fault I had been in that situation, so she has no right to be protective of Jake as if I am going to corrupt him in my downward spiral post-breakup.

“Sorry, that was out of line.”

“Yeah, it was. I’m not going to jump into bed with Jake, for fuck’s sake Morgan.” I cross my arms over my chest and glare at the ceiling.

Morgan is quiet for a moment. “So, nothing happened then?”

“No!”

“Okay then, sorry.” She sounds defensive.

I have to bite my tongue in case I say something I’ll regret. I take a breath, and I can tell Morgan is fighting her own internal battle now when I turn my glare on her.

“But just in case I’m supposed to run every interaction between Jake and me past you, he has invited me to hang out with everyone tomorrow night, and I said yes.”

“So you guys have been in contact?” She finally blurts out.

“Morgan, I love you, but you’re being really fucking annoying right now. Yes, Jake and I have been in contact. I don’t know if you remember, but Jake was as much my friend as he was yours in school. Nothing is going on, so stop being a pain in the ass and just be happy we get to hang out more now, okay?”

Her face softens, and she reaches over to hug me. “I’m sorry, Bri. I don’t know why I’m being so weird about that. I guess I’m just protective over Jake. And you. You’re right – I did forget you guys were friends back then.” She hugs me tighter, burying her face in the pillow beside my head.

“You weirdo, get off me. Just leave me alone about Jake, and we’ll be fine, alright?” I laugh, shoving her off me, and she looks back up with a grin.

“Done. Come on, let’s get some ice cream and get you out of the house.” She jumps to her feet and marches out of the room.

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