Page 35 of In the Long Run
‘Are they mean?’Social media brings out the worst in some people, but I refuse to spiral.I broke up with doomscrolling after everything went to hell with Tim and I refuse to go back.
He blanches, all the colour draining from his face, and he shifts his weight from one foot to the other.
‘It’s okay,’ I say.‘I’m a big girl.Plenty of people have said cruel things about me before.’It’s why I started my own business and all my co-workers are plants.People can’t tear you down if you let them forget you exist.
‘What?’He prises himself off the wall and comes to sit down next to me.‘No, nothing like that.Actually, everyone was very complimentary.’
Then why the long face?
‘I’m not doing a very good job of explaining this.’He sighs heavily and passes me the phone.The pinned video is a flour-covered Celeste holding up a strawberry gateaux.
‘Celeste got excited when I told her about Croissants and Kilometres and she made this.’He hits play.I’ll have what they’re havingsplashes across the screen as an upbeat song pours out of the speakers and then Knox and I appear.My frame is totally encased in his bigger one.I’m grinning at him like a fool, while a tiny smile curves bemusedly onto his lips.We look like we have a secret.
And like we have great sex.
Ahem.I clear my throat.‘Oh.’
There’s a familiarity and level of comfort and trust implied in our pose.Our expressions.Can you ‘ship’ something that you know isn’t real because you’re one of the people involved in it?I’m asking for a friend.
‘Wait.What did that say?’I tap on the screen, pausing the video.
Join our run club and score your own stern croissant daddy!
‘Oh my God.’
‘Apparently “daddy” is slang for a hot guy.’Giant splotches of red have broken out across Knox’s neck.
‘Now I really want to read the comments.’
Knox groans and sags against the couch, his head tipping back until he’s looking at the ceiling.
‘Oh my God, the Annas commented!’
‘Is that slang too?Wait.Don’t tell me.I don’t want to know.’
‘No, no, they’re famous.Ah!They’re going to come along this weekend!Holy crap.This could be huge.’
‘Three million people have seen it.Itishuge, Gen.’
‘That’s what she said,’ slips out before I can stop it.
Knox snorts and it doesn’t detract from his hotness at all.The man should be studied for science.
‘I’m sorry!I haven’t had dinner yet.I’m clearly experiencing a blood sugar issue, because I would never normally say anything like that.’Prue and Paul frown at me from the television.They know I’m lying.
Knox’s expression changes instantly, a stern inflection slipping into his voice.‘You haven’t had dinner yet?’
‘No.I’m going to in a bit.’
‘We’re having a roast tonight.There’s plenty.’
I shake my head.‘You don’t have to do that.Caleb made my favourite stir-fry.It’s in the fridge.I just felt like dessert first.’
I don’t mention that it’s my birthday.I don’t want to make this awkward … or at least no more awkward than it already is.
‘It’s why I’m here.Firstly, to apologise about the TikTok.Be sure to give Celeste hell about it when you see her.But also because she’s come up with a plan.’
The way he says ‘plan’ makes me wary.‘A plan for what?’
