Page 45 of The Winning Ticket

“Little B, huh?”

I clear my throat and move to put my phone in my pocket. “Yeah. She’s a friend. She lives in the apartment that I won.”

She pushes a strand of her long brown hair behind her ear and fixes me with a look. “Right, just a friend. From what I’ve heard, you’re back in Brisbane every chance you can get. You’ve only ever done that in the past when there was a girl involved.”

I roll my eyes. “Christ, first Dad, now you. The rumour mill in this place is fucking ridiculous. I’m not seeing anyone back there, but I enjoy catching up with my friends. I grew up there. I don’t know why everyone is making such a big deal about this.”

Stacey holds her hands up in the air. “Calm down. I guess the friends you have here just feel like you’ve disappeared. You used to hang out with all of us on the weekends, but lately, none of us have heard anything from you.”

I let out a long breath. “I’m sorry, okay. And I’m sorry I didn’t get in touch with you. That was shitty. I’m guessing that’s what this is really about?” I raise an eyebrow.

She shrugs and pushes her hair back again. “It is what it is. We didn’t make any promises to each other. I just hadn’t realised it was quite that casual for you,” she says.

“I’m sorry, Stace,” I say again, because at this point, what else can I say?

I’d never wanted to be that person, and yet it looks like, to Stacey at least, I’m just another guy who doesn’t give a shit.

“It’s fine, Jake. I could tell you weren’t after anything long-term. I hadn’t let myself fall too hard, even if you are stupid hot. It’s just hard to find guys around here that haven’t known me forever,” she says with a small smile.

Even though she’s playing it cool, I can tell I’ve hurt her, and I feel like the biggest asshole.

“Just… Don’t be a stranger, okay?” She gets out of her chair and squeezes my shoulder before heading back to join her friends, who are gathered near the door to the pokies. A few of them glare at me, and I stare at my beer.

Note to self - next time Dad wants to do dinner, cook something at home for him.

On Friday, I don’t bother going home after work. I’ve started leaving stuff at the apartment so that I don’t need to carry an overnight bag anymore, and when I clock off at 2 pm, I head straight out of town and drive to Brisbane.

This has been the week from hell. A heatwave started on Tuesday, and I have been sweating bucketloads each day while working on the houses. After last night’s conversations, I’d seriously considered just getting in my ute and driving to Brisbane then and there.

I open the door to the apartment and instantly feel my shoulders drop. This place feels more like home than any other place I’ve lived. Or maybe it was simply the presence of the woman who lives here.

I arrive home before Bri, and Maddie dances happily around my feet while I open the terrace door. She races to the small garden Bri set up for her to do her business. I should probably look at installing a doggy door for her.

I head into the shower, needing to wash away the memory of this shitty week along with the sweat.

When I emerge a little later, pulling a shirt over my head, I find Bri walking through the door.

“Hey! You’re here early,” she says, putting her work bag down.

Even though she’s been at work all day, she looks stunning as usual, and I don’t say a word as I walk towards her and wrap my arms around her waist.

“Are you okay?” she asks, hugging me back while I bury my face in her neck.

“I am now,” I say after a moment, stepping back. “It’s been a really shit week, and when I saw you, I just realised I needed a hug.”

She looks up at me, her eyes scanning my face. Christ, she’s beautiful. How had I ever managed to forget how beautiful she was?

“What happened?”

“Just work stuff… and Dad was giving me a hard time about how much I’ve been coming back since I won this place. So add in the extra guilt, and it ended up being a crappy week.” I shrug.

Her eyes narrow. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?” I ask.

“Pretend that it’s not that big of a deal. I know it must have been crappy for you to hug me like that.” She fixes me with one of her intense looks that make me feel like she can see every part of me.

“Maybe it’s just because you’re such a good hugger?” I try giving her a cheeky grin, but she’s having none of it.

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