Page 66 of Musical Games
Jamie shrugged.
‘What happened between you and Sam last night?’
‘Fuck’s sake, Dunc, push me in at the deep end, why don’t you?’
Duncan raised his hands in supplication. ‘Mate, I’m trying to make this easy for you. Do you want me to dance around the elephant in the room until you’re ready to talk? I’ve spent all day trying to stop your mum and sister calling everyone from the police to NATO, then finding your sorry arse. I care, Jamie, but I’m also hungry and want to go home.’
Duncan skimmed another stone across the water. ‘Did you have sex with Sam last night?’
Jamie nodded.
‘Halle-fucking-lujah. Your sister owes me twenty quid.’
‘What the fuck? This isn’t a joke.’
‘Calm yourself down, Jamie, it’s only between me and Fi.’
‘She told Sam I fancied Kirsten,’ Jamie said angrily. ‘Why? Is this some kind of game to her?’
‘Of course not. She did it to force Sam to make the first move. She knew pigs would fly through a freezing hell before you did anything.’
‘Does Mum know?’
‘No. She thinks you’re just freaked out because Brad wants to give you a hundred twenty grand to use three of your songs.’
‘What the fuck?’ He leaned forward, his head spinning.
‘Just breathe. It’s all okay. Sam’s dealing with it.’
Jamie raked his fingernails across his scalp, trying to remember the breathing exercise she’d taught him. Breathe in, hold, breathe out, hold. He kept going until his head cleared. He rubbed his face as if he could wipe all the stress away.
‘Are you ready to go back yet?’ Duncan asked.
Jamie shook his head violently.
‘Why not?’
Jamie shrugged.
‘Okay, I’m going to try and find the right words here, so bear with me.’ Duncan sighed. ‘Last night, with Sam…’
Jamie tensed, dreading what might be coming next.
‘Did she, um,enjoyherself?’ Duncan’s face was as red as his felt. ‘Did, er, you manage to—’
‘Jesus, Dunc! Fuck’s sake! I “managed” to make her “enjoy" herself three times. Happy?’
Duncan slapped him on the back. ‘Fair play, mate, fair play. I owe Fi another twenty quid. Those sexy books of hers must have done the trick.’
Jamie pushed him over and scrambled to his feet, his hands clenched into fists.
‘What the fuck? What the fucking fuck?’
Burning embarrassment and shame raged through him. He wanted to punch his best friend and never speak to his sister again.
Duncan stood. ‘That came out wrong. Jamie, I’m sorry.’ He ran his hands through his hair. ‘Look. Fi worries about you. I don’t care that you’ve never had a girlfriend, but she does. She thought reading those books might give you a bit of confidence. That’s all. She wants you to be happy.’
‘I am happy.’
