He pulls me in for one final hug and kisses my temple. “Love you.”
“Love you too.”
“Now go get your fucking man.”
PETE
Another year,another New Year’s Eve, and I’m still heading to the pub on my own.
Not gonna lie, I’m sorely tempted to give it a miss.
I glance at my phone, wondering for the hundredth time if I should’ve asked Charlie to come here and spend it with me. Or asked if I could go to him.
I didn’t want to push when he’d asked for time.
Kind of regretting doing neither, and it’s too late now.
I texted him an hour ago, telling him I missed him and that I’d be thinking of him at midnight, but he’s not even read it. Or maybe he saw enough and decided to ignore it.
Ugh, snap out of it, Pete. You know he’s not like that.
It’s almost seven o’clock, I bet he’s out with his friends.
Like I should be.
Meh.
I’ll get ready in a bit when I find my enthusiasm. Cooper snores beside me, dead to the world. Maybe he’s got the right idea.
Like she can read my mind, Sadie’s name flashes up on my screen. It’s a FaceTime call, so I know she means business.
I answer, because she’ll just keep calling otherwise. “Hey sis.”
“Hey.” Her eyes narrow as she checks me over.
“Not that I’m questioning your fashion choices, but is that what you’re wearing to the pub?”
I glance down at the faded T-shirt and pyjama bottoms that I put on after Cooper got me filthy on our walk earlier. “No.”
I can see the moment something clicks. “You are coming, right?”
“I don’t know.” I hadn’t realised how serious I was until the words leave my mouth. “Not sure I’m up to being the only single one. Again. Not after...” I don’t finish the sentence, but I don’t need to. For once, I was hoping that this year might be different. That I wouldn’t have to pretend it doesn’t hurt when midnight strikes and, once again, I have to watch my friends kiss the ones they love.
Because I’d be with Charlie.
I scrub a hand over my face. “I might just stay home, Sadie.”
I expect her to lecture me about going out and enjoying myself, to tell me that it’ll do me good etc. She surprises me.
“Okay.”
“Okay?” I must’ve misheard.
“Yeah, Pete. Of course I’ll miss you not being there, and so will everyone else. But if going out tonight is going to hurt you more than heal, then stay in and cuddle up with Cooper.”
I’m a little choked up at that. “Yeah. I think I might.”
Headlights flash across the window at the edges of the curtains. “Who the fuck is that?”
