Page 49 of The Story of Us
If there was a mirror in front of him, Nate knew he’d look like a ghost.Eloise is leaving.A good friend would be happy for her right now because this was what she’d wanted for so long. And there was his long-time companion: shame. Right on time.
“How long for?”
“A year.”
Nate picked up his glass and stared at the liquid inside it. This was a good thing.
“It’s a great opportunity for her,” Charlie said.
“Sure is.” Nate was going to have to do better than these paltry answers, but he was too deep in a self-loathing spiral to focus on performing. Because that’s what any answer other than ‘I don’t want her to go’ would be. God, he hated himself for being so selfish. And hehatedCobie for stealing his confidence and taking a blowtorch to all the dreams he’d had for his future.
At some point, he’d have to stop blaming her, but it wasn’t going to be tonight. Not when his world had been tipped on its axis. Because that’s what Eloise was for him. She was the centre of everything. From the moment he woke until he closed his eyes. It was her, and she was leaving. Spreading her wings and going on the adventure she’d been talking about for years.
Damned if he was going to get in her way.
* * *
Many gamesof poker and pool later, Teddy had convinced everyone to crash Sera’s hen’s night. A long line of dudes snaked their way down the driveway of the cricket club, bottles of beer clasped in their hands and raucous laughter filling the quiet night.
“Have fun?” Owen asked Nate, his breath puffing out in front of him in white clouds.
“Yeah, it was good. You?” The streetlights cast an eerie glow amongst the shadows.
“Aside from Ryan being a jackass, it was a good night.”
“Someone pre-gamed way too hard. Shame Raff couldn’t make it,” Teddy said, falling into step next to Nate.
“How hammered do you think the girls will be? Alice was a mess after that night in the city,” Owen said.
A vision of Eloise in his bed, make-up smeared, hair a mess, filled Nate’s mind, disarming his common sense. She’d looked so fucking sexy in his shirt. There was no other explanation for the words that tumbled out of his mouth. “Eloise was rough the next morning too.”
“That’s right.” Teddy’s voice was full of mischief. “Because she stayed at your place afterwards.”
Owen took the bait immediately, and Nate groaned, knowing what was coming next. “And now you’re roommates. I don’t remember seeing a message from our brother about this in the group chat. Do you, Little Ted?”
“Hmmmm, no, but Mum did have a lot of opinions.” Teddy tapped his chin, and Nate just shook his head, avoiding their eyes like he’d avoided the group chat.
“A tree fell on her house.”
“Yes. Alice thinks the universe has moved on from subtle signs that you two should get together to using acts of God to really ram the message home,” Owen said smoothly.
He could tell them that she might be leaving and trust they’d keep it to themselves, but Nate wasn’t ready to share the news just yet.
“Alice said she’s dating Ryan,” Owen added.
“They’re not dating,” Nate was quick to reply.
Too quick. Even in the dark, Nate saw the smirk his brothers exchanged. “They were just hanging out.”
“Oh, my sweet summer child.” Teddy wrapped his arm around Nate. “Do you need me to explain what ‘hanging out’ means?”
Nate shook him off. “It’s not like that.”
“Uh-huh. So, what are you going to do about it?” Teddy asked.
“Nothing. She told me I wasn’t allowed to kiss her.”
“Then don’t kiss her. Consent is king, brother,” Teddy said.
