Page 40 of Someone Like You

‘It’s a generous offer, but no. And my parents don’t yell. They simply scowl at me in disapproval.’

‘Sounds fun,’ I say, trying to lighten the mood. It doesn’t work and Raff keeps staring at the wall across from us.

‘They might also threaten to disinherit me,’ he says, as if to himself.

‘Seriously?’

‘Mm-hmm.’

I can’t imagine my parents threatening me. Even when I’ve made decisions they may not have agreed with, they’ve supported me, wanting me to be my own person – championing me.

His parents sound like total assholes. And I will gladly put myself in the firing line if it means they’ll be less asshole-y about his exciting news.

‘Maybe Ishouldjoin the call.’

He breaks from his daze, his head snapping in my direction, then gives me a lipless smile. ‘It’s okay, Gabs. But thanks.’ He takes in a deep breath. ‘Right,’ he says, collecting his phone and standing. He gives me another of those please-kill-me-now smiles and goes into his bedroom and closes the door.

I take out my phone and text Freya:

He’s talking to them now. *cringe emoji*

*fingers crossed emoji* Keep me posted

I rest my phone in my lap and fall back against the sofa, closing my eyes. It’s beensucha hectic week – like last week was and next week will be – I couldsoeasily fall asleep.

‘Gabs.’ I wake with a start, discovering Raff peering down at me and gently shaking me by the shoulder.

I scramble to sit up. ‘Sorry. How long was I out?’ I ask.

‘Could only have been a few minutes.’

‘Oh.’ I glance at my phone. Seven to be exact. He was in his bedroom for seven minutes. ‘Are you done? Talking to your parents.’

‘Yes.’ He flops onto the sofa next to me.

‘But that was only— Never mind. What did they say?’

‘That I’m wasting a perfectly good degree… That I’m throwing away a passable career for a pipe dream…’

‘Wait, did they really call marketing “passable”?’

‘My father did, yes.’

‘And the inheritance?’

‘Didn’t come up. My mother made some excuse about them having to get back to their friends, then abruptly ended the call.’

What sort of mother does that to her only child?

‘Oh Raff, I’m so sorry your parents are such assholes.’

He chuckles. ‘Thank you. I think.’

‘I’m serious. At least you have CiCi and Devin. And me and Freya. And you know my parents love you…’

My parentsdolove Raff. Mom calls him the son she never had. Issy overheard her saying that once and was pissed off when she realised she meant Raff and not (douchebag) Jon.

Raff doesn’t respond; instead, he stares at the wall again. IsanythingI say going to get through? I can commiserate but I can’t relate – not even remotely.

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