“Yeah, I think you were lying to yourself, actually. And I am angry. But not why you think.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m angry you didn’t trust me enough to tell me. I’m angry youthoughtyou had to lie to me. I’m angry you don’t think you’re good enough for my sister. Most of all, I’m angry you hurt her—and yourself—with your dumb-arse behaviour.”
“This is not what I was expecting.”
“I’m aware. Now, you accused Guy of wanting a hit-and-run. Are you going to do the same? Or are you going to man up and do the right thing?”
“I wish it was that simple.”
“It is that fucking simple. You love her. She loves you. Happy ever after.”
“She’s made it clear she doesn’t want a bar of me.”
“Well, I guess you’re going to need one of those rom-com grand gesture things then, huh?” He nudges me with his shoulder as if prodding me into action.
“I’m not good enough for her. I should leave her alone.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” He’s finally starting to get exasperated with me. “Hold on. Is that what all this going to Melbourne shit is about? You’re running away?”
I nod and take a slug of the vodka, spilling some down my shirt in the process.
“You’re more of an idiot than I thought. Firstly, I can’t think of anyone I’d rather see my sister with, up to and including Harry Fucking Styles, and you know what a crush she had on him back in the day. Secondly, it appears you’re the one she wants, and she’s a smart woman. So, are you going to do what you have to do and deserve her? Or am I going to have to kick your sorry arse?”
I’m not so drunk that the idea I might actually be able to have a future with Greer doesn’t sparkle like some kind of unicorn-esque fantasy. But I’m still having trouble trusting in it.
“What about Harry and Stella?”
“Are you kidding me? They’ve been going out of their minds waiting for you to make your move. You heard what they said about Jessie tonight? That goes double for you.”
“I have no idea how to make a relationship work, man.”
“Lucky for you, I expect Greer does. And really, nobody knows going in. You have to work it out as you go along.”
It’s hard to believe, given how I’m feeling, but I manage a laugh. “How the fuck would you know?”
“I’ve watched Ethan and Jessie. And Mum and Dad. Not to mention the complete cluster fuck that is Nick Pierce, but that’s another story.”
“You’re really okay with this?” I look him dead in the eye, needing to know there’s no doubt in his mind.
“Not as it stands, no. But if you wake the fuck up, get your act together, and work this out, then yes, I am more than okay with this. In fact, I’d be over the moon to have you as a brother-in-law.”
And with that, Will claps me on the shoulder, and downs what little remains of the vodka.
“Might be best to wait till you’re sober to talk to Greer, though.”
For some reason, that cracks us both up.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Greer
AssoonasIget home, I hit the button for the family group text and send a message to let everyone know I’m home safe and will talk to them tomorrow, which elicits another avalanche of messages. I turn my phone off, have a long hot shower and fall into bed for yet another relaxing night of tossing and turning until sunrise.
No sooner have I turned my phone on when I finally drag myself out of bed than my mother is calling.
“How are you this morning, darling? Did you get any sleep?”
