Page 90 of We Used To Be Magic

‘Yup,’ he replies, rummaging around in a dresser. ‘This whole party was an ambush, by the way. I worked a double and all I wanted to do was come home, carb-load and watchGilmore Girls.’

‘They threw a party without asking you?’

‘Except they’re claiming it’s an improv group session that “got out of hand”. Sit up.’

I do as he says, and he sits on the bed beside me, tearing open a foil packet of antibacterial wipes.

‘This’ll sting.’

He takes my hand in his, dabbing at my swollen knuckles – it does sting, but only dimly. I watch him wipe away the blood, a little embarrassed that it’s only just occurred to me how lucky I am to have him as a friend.

‘What happened?’ he asks mildly.

‘Nothing. It was stupid. And I don’t really want to talk about it, so …’

‘We should, though. If you’re dealing with anger issues—’

I scoff. Mac looks up at me, expression intent.

‘You got your nose broken in a fight,’ he says seriously.

‘Exactly.Mynose. He punched me.’

‘And who started it?’ he retorts, which … I don’t have a rebuttal for, unfortunately.

‘If you have a temper, you need to address it,’ he continues. ‘Figure out what you’re actually in your feelings about and stop trying to stomp it down. I’m speaking from experience here.’

‘You? Come on.’

‘Not me. My brother.’

‘You have a brother?’

‘Yeah,’ he says simply, reaching for a piece of gauze. I watch as he deftly secures it, winding the bandage through my fingers. He’s done this before, I realise.

‘Is he—’ I venture, but Mac cuts me off with a shake of his head.

‘I don’t want to talk about it,’ he says. Then, after a beat – ‘Thanks, though.’

There’s a light rapping at the door, then. Mac rolls his eyes.

‘That’ll be Courtney. She knocks but never waits—’

The door parts, and Courtney pokes her head through.

‘Sorry to interrupt!’ She beams, sounding anything but. ‘One of my friends has an audition for a play next week and she’sreallystruggling with her British accent. Like – it’s giving Eliza Doolittle when it needs to be Mary Poppins, you know? Could you help?’

There’s a moment of strained silence before I realise that she’s talking to me.

‘Oh, uh – sure,’ I manage, my head feeling very heavy as I nod. ‘I can try.’

‘Would you? That’s awesome!’

‘Yeah,awesome. Want to give us a minute?’ Mac says curtly. Courtney’s smile doesn’t waver, but she somehow manages to cast a vaguely murderous look in his direction before slipping back out and shutting the door with a click.

‘That’s Courtney’s modus operandi.’ Mac says flatly. ‘It’s just an excuse to sit in your lap and touch your hair.’

‘Right. I’d say you owe me, but …’ I raise my now-bandaged hand. Mac doesn’t smile.

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