Page 2 of Friends Rucked Up

He bends over to grab the remote from the coffee table and mutes the sound. “Hello, Saylor. Sorry it was so loud. I was trying to multitask by listening to the highlights while getting ready for your arrival. Are you early? I thought I had another half an hour before you’d be here.”

“No. As per usual you’re running late.”

I avoid eye contact by going into the kitchen area and helping myself to a glass from the cupboard so I can have a drink of water. Alfie’s apartment, like mine, is open plan, so there’s nowhere to hide. Hopefully, my cheeks aren’t too flushed from getting an eyeful of his muscular physique.

“Coach busted our balls in training and made us stay for an extra twenty laps. Time slips away when you’re having fun.” He grins cheekily like it’s no big deal he’s not ready. Only Alfie could describe extra training as enjoyable. “Give me a few seconds to change and I’ll be ready for the call,” he adds before disappearing into the bedroom.

I have to fight the need to check out his ass. I’m going to hell for having thoughts about Alfie. He’s my brother’s best friend, not someone for me to ogle.

Alfie and my brother are only a year younger than me. They both have dark hair, but that’s where the similarities end. Alfie’s always been an athletic build, whereas Harlan is slim.

Taking my drink, I get comfortable on the sofa and boot up his laptop which is on the coffee table. A picture of the three of us is set as the background and it brings a smile to my face. It was taken in my last year of high school at the beach where we spent most of our summers.

I sigh, thinking of the fun we had at the caravan while growing up. Hornsea is a cute little town where we could hang out by the sea and watch the lifeboats run practice drills. Just thinking of the place fills my mind with ocean waves and crazy, food-stealing seagulls. Alfie has always been the sensible one and made sure we made it back to the caravan before our parents came looking for us.

I put my drink on the coffee table and bring the laptop onto my knee so I can set up the call. Who knows how long we’ll be waiting for my brother to join. Alfie comes out of the bedroom a few moments later. Thankfully, he’s fully dressed in grey tracksuit bottoms and a white t-shirt. He jumps over the back of the sofa, almost knocking the laptop off my lap.

“Hey! Be careful or you’re going to be shopping for a new computer, and we won’t be able to talk with Harlan.”

He fills up all the space as the smell of his aftershave penetrates the air. I get a good whiff of woodsy, outdoors freshness while trying to ignore how good the odour is. His left leg rests against my right one as he leans towards me to get a look at the screen.

Our brown eyes meet as he says, “Sorry. This sofa isn’t big enough for two.”

“An armchair is too small for two people; a sofa would be fine if you weren’t bulked out like the hulk.”

“I’m a growing lad and a Scarab.”

Selby Scarabs are the local ruby team he plays for, and his sole love in life. In the past, Alfie dated girls that looked like freaking supermodels, but he didn’t keep any of them around for long. He has no pets, and other than the occasional round of golf with his buddies, he’s a home bird.

There’s a cheer from a distant crowd and the low hum of music as my brothers call connects. The interruption breaks what I now realise was a staring contest between Alfie and I. Plastering a big smile on my face, I wave into the camera.

“Happy birthday, Harlan,” I say as Alfie pumps his fist in the air like he’s joining the party behind Harlan rather than greeting his best friend from the living room.

“As you can see, I’m missing you greatly.”

He gives us an in depth look at the gorgeous view behind him. The skyscraper city lights glisten on the busy harbour. He tips his pint of beer towards the screen, showing he’s sat in a modern rooftop bar before settling the camera back on himself.

“The sun looks good on you, bro,” Alfie says with a huge grin.

It’s true he looks healthy, which is good because it makes me worry less knowing he’s looking after himself.

“Your winning streak looks good on you,” Harlan says, mirroring his expression.

The Selby Scarabs have won their last three games putting them second on the scoring table. I watch all of their games, even if Idon’t admit it to these two. Harlan and I used to watch the games together before he left and I used to pretend it was boring; I secretly loved it, though. I didn’t want my brother to think I was too invested in Alfie’s team, so it was easier to let Harlan think I’d do anything to spend time with him. The irony is if I’d known he was going to leave, I’d have savoured every second with him.

“I have a feeling this is going to be our year.” Alfie’s brown eyes sparkle like he truly believes he’s in with a chance. I want the win for him too.

“If you make it to the final, I might just have to pay little old England a visit.”

The idea of my brother coming home fills me with excitement. I miss him dearly and it would be so good to be able to see him in person rather than through a screen.

“It would be brilliant to see you. I’d be willing to watch rugby if you came home,” I say way too eagerly.

“Book us some tickets in the family box,” my brother says, nodding his head at the idea.

“Woah. It’s too early in the season for you to be doing that. Don’t you think we should wait a while?” Alfie’s confidence from seconds before evaporates.

He pushes his palms towards the ground in a slowdown gesture. Alfie’s not a risk taker, except on the field. He prefers to play it safe in most situations.

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