Page 7 of Best Man
“I’m surprised I didn’t cotton on,” I say slowly.
He laughs. “Well, usually your meetings with Zeb don’t run to the format of a cosy chat.”
“No,” I say morosely. “They’re more hurricanes, earthquakes, and a fucking great tsunami.”
“The earth moved though.”
I laugh, but it’s thoughtful, and the news about Zeb is still on my mind as I let myself into my flat later on.
“That you, Jesse?” comes the call.
“Is there anyone else who has a key?”
My flatmate Charlie appears in the door. “Eli’s got a key.”
I smile at the thought of my best friend who now lives in Cornwall in domestic bliss. “Eli is shacked up with a famous actor. Don’t think he needs a key to this shithole anymore.”
He smiles. He has the widest grin that seems to light his whole face up, and with that and his long blond hair, sometimes he fairly glows. That smile led to him being nicknamed Charlie Sunshine. It suits him because he’s the prettiest and most angelic-looking man I’ve ever met, with a head full of blond waves and blue eyes. He’d have made a fantastic model but instead chose to be a librarian. His beauty is almost startling.
“Aww, they’re so happy together,” he says.
I’m sorry. I forgot that. His smileandhis outlook on life led to him being called Charlie Sunshine. He sees the good in everyone. When Eli and I set up interviews for a flatmate, we took one look at Charlie and crossed everyone else off the list. We’ve never regretted it. He’s funny and calm and like my baby brother.
I look a bit closer at him and then frown. “You’re very pale. Are you okay?”
He waves his hand airily. “I’m fine.”
I narrow my eyes. “You don’t look it. Did you have a turn?”
He turns and wanders back into the lounge. “A small one.” He catches my eyes. “Only a little one. I was only out for a bit. I’m fine. Just feel like I’ve got a hangover now.”
“Are you out with Vic tonight?” I frown at the thought. It’s almost like a reflex now when I think of his arsehole boyfriend. Born with a golden spoon in his mouth, it’s always seemed a shame that he didn’t choke on it. He’s been with Charlie for a year and while he’s ecstatic to have such a good-looking man on his arm, he doesn’t treat Charlie right at all. He talks to him like he’s shit most of the time and Charlie waves it off, making excuses for him like “he’s tired” and “he works so hard.”
I sigh. Who am I to judge anyway? I haven’t exactly done well in the boyfriend stakes. Three of them cheated and one stole my wallet. Not to mention the charmer who took out a credit card in my name.
Charlie sneaks a glance at me and shakes his head, lowering himself to the sofa with a weary sigh. I hover slightly because he looks fragile. “No, Misha is coming over tonight,” he says, closing his eyes.
Unseen, I sag with relief. Misha is Charlie’s best friend. They’re closer than two peas in a pod but as different as broccoli and a nuclear bomb. But it seems to make their friendship stronger, and Misha has always been very protective of Charlie. If he’s here, nothing will happen.
“Good,” I say. I settle down onto the sofa next to him, raising his legs so they rest on my lap. I massage the calves while he makes happy sounds. “I like Misha,” I say slowly. “Good-looking bloke.” I pinch his knee. “And your best friend.”
He shakes his head disapprovingly. “Stop matchmaking, you’re shit at it. Misha and I are friends. I love him and he loves me, but that’s it. It’ll never be anything else.”
“Why?” I ask curiously. We’ve spoken about this before, but it’s the first time we’ve done it sober. I’m sure he’s answered it before, but either it didn’t make sense, or I wasn’t listening, or I’d passed out.
“Because Misha is a complete tart and I’m not,” he says, smiling at me. I’m relieved to see the colour coming back into his face. “And we don’t see each other like that. We were friends too long for that.”
“Oh, okay.” I was right. It doesn’t make sense.
“Do you want to get Chinese?” he asks.
I shrug. “Sounds good. You need an early night then and so do I. My eye is killing me.”
He smiles kindly at me. “Do you want me to get you an ice pack?”
I shake my head. “No.” My phone starts to ring and I raise a finger and answer it, surprised to hear Felix.
“Jesse, are you settled in for the night?”
