He’s also the one who got away. The first guy I ever had a crush on. The guy who made me realise I was bisexual. The guy my bastard twin knew I fancied, but chased after anyway.
“So, what? They had a messy breakup, and now you hate him? Did he break your brother’s heart?”
I stare into the large glass of red that the bartenderput in front of me. From what I’ve been told, their breakup was quiet and amicable. The way Mum tells it, they ‘fell out of love’, whatever the fuck that means. “No.” I sip the wine. It’s cheap and tastes crap. Sipping it isn’t an option, so I down it in a couple of long gulps. I gesture to the barman to pour me another.
“He must have donesomethingto get you so het up.”
“Leave it, Angus. I don’t want to talk about it.” I’ll get angry, maybe sad, and then angry all over again.
Angus raises his hands. “Okay. Tell me when youdowant to talk. I’ll listen.”
Yes, he will. Angus is a good friend. However, he’s been a little spacey of late.
He hops off the barstool. “I won’t be around for the next two weeks.”
I blink at him. Why am I only just finding this out? “Where are you going?”
“Away for some peace to revise.”
“Can I come?” It would get me out of Flynn’s orbit for two weeks, and I’d get to hang out with my bestie.
Angus smiles apologetically. “Sorry. It’s a one-bedroom cottage.”
“We can top and tail. Or I’ll sleep on the sofa.” Do I sound desperate? Iamdesperate.
Angus looks like he wants the ground to swallow him up. Is he figuring out how to let me down gently? In his shoes, I wouldn’t want to hang out with me right now, either, let alone spend a whole fortnight trappedtogether in a tiny cottage. Would it help if I promise to be in a better mood?
“I was hoping for some alone time. It’s been a full-on semester, and I need a break. Don’t be mad.”
I could never be mad at Angus. He’s been my best friend since we started uni. He’s got my back, and I’ve got his. Even so, it’s not like him to want alone time. Either the pressure of our looming exams is really getting to him, or he’s up to something. My brain is too drink-addled to fathom it out.
I sigh. “I’m not mad. Just—bad timing, dude.” I glare at Flynn, who's doing his best to avoid glancing in my direction.
“Maybe you two should talk and sort things out,” Angus says.
“No thanks.”
He pats my shoulder. “Come and dance?”
I appreciate his efforts to drag me out of my grumpy stupor. “I’m fine here.” Throwing mental daggers at the guy who decided my twin was a better catch than me. Me, bitter? Of course not. I should have got over Flynn by now. I’m pathetic.
“Okay. I’ll tell you when I’m heading off if you haven’t come and joined us by then.” Angus waits, as though expecting me to say something.
I don’t.
“I was going to leave early, but if you want, I can stay as long as you need and make sure you get home okay.”
Angus is a good friend, but I don’t want him to ruin his night for me.
“I live ten minutes away.”
“Twenty.”
If I walk briskly. “Whatever. Close. I’ll be fine.”
“Sure?”
“Yeah. You go and do whatever you were going to do, and Angus?”
