Page 23 of The Winning Ticket

I fill Mum in on the few details I know about Bri’s situation, and she is horrified.

“That poor woman. What a horrible thing to do to someone. At least she had somewhere to come to, though. It’s a good idea to offer her somewhere to live. I’m sure she’ll say yes. She always had such a crush on you, you know?”

I almost choke on the mouthful of water I’ve just swallowed. “No, she didn’t,” I say after my coughing fit subsides.

Mum is smirking at me while my sisters giggle. I can feel my cheeks redden, which makes her grin even bigger.

“I also know you had a rather large crush on her. This could be good for both of you.”

“Oh god. On that note, I’m going to go and mow the yard.” I push my chair back quickly, and it tips back, crashing to the ground at the same time as the three of them erupt into fits of laughter. “I’m glad you all find this so funny.”

Mum wipes away a tear while she gets her hysterics under control. “I’m sorry, darling. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. But I think offering Bri the apartment is a lovely idea. With everything she’s been through, she deserves something to smile about. And you always made her smile. That’s all I’ll say on the matter.”

I look at Mum for a few beats before nodding.

After helping clear away the dishes, I head out to start the mower. I snap on my noise-cancelling headphones and get to work, but my mind once again wanders to thoughts of Bri and what it might be like living with her, even if it’s just part-time.

And I know I’m more excited about the idea than I have any right to be, especially as she’s just gone through a breakup.

And she’s my best friend’s little sister.

11

HEY, FLUFF BALL!

BRIANNA

Feeling nervous for reasons I can’t explain, I arrive at Jake’s building late on Saturday afternoon. Will answers the intercom, buzzing me inside. Maddie and I get in the lift and I pick her up to scratch behind her ears while the elevator takes us up to the penthouse.

When I knock on the door, Will lets me in with a smile.

“Hey, B. Good to see you again.” He hugs me.

Out the kitchen window, I see Morgan step away from hugging Jake, who is covered in dirt and grass.

“Jake, dear, sweet Jake. I say this with all the love in my heart. Go and have a fucking shower because you stink,” Morgan says, and Jake shakes his head.

“Geez, Morgan, don’t hold back,” he says, leaning in for another cheeky hug, but she shoves him away.

“Don’t! You’ll make me smell, too, you heathen! Why do you look and smell so bad?” she asks with her hand on his chest to keep him at arm’s length.

“I’ve spent the last six hours in Mum’s garden, doing all the shit I was avoiding doing at my own house this weekend by coming here.”

“Seriously, get in the shower,” she says, still holding her hand against his chest.

“Fine. You can sort out dinner then,” he says, walking towards the door closest to where I am standing.

None of them appear to have noticed I’ve arrived yet.

“Bri said she’s on her way.” There seems to be a bit of a tone in Morgan’s voice, and Jake must pick up on it as well because he stops in his tracks and turns slowly to look back at her.

“Okay… Is that a problem?”

“No problem. Just thought it was weird you didn’t tell us you invited her.”

“Should I not have? Why is everyone being so weird about Bri and me this weekend?” Jake asks, and I can see Chris shooting Morgan a look that was clearly meant to say, ‘Shut up,’ but Morgan ignores him, as usual.

I wonder what else has been said to make Jake react like this.

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