Harvey flopped onto the couch next to him, wavy hair swinging with the movement. He tucked it behind his ears in a practiced move, the flex of his biceps making Ravi’s insides flutter. Rav glanced away and focused on the Coke can rather an ogle Harvey in his sleeveless top that showed off his golden tan to perfection.
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Rav tugged the ring pull and opened the can.
“You missing Bo? I know Parker is. The three of you are thick as thieves.” Harvey chuckled. “He comes back on Monday though, so you’ll all be back together soon.”
“It’s not that.”
“Well, what is it? I can tell something’s wrong. Is it uni?”
“No.” Rav had just started his university course and it was fine. “Although it’s not what I thought it would be.”
Harvey put his feet up on the coffee table and leaned back. “Not just all meeting people and parties?”
“God, no. Not that that’s a bad thing.”
“C’mon, Rav, you’ve got to let your hair down more. You were so focused on getting good marks at school, and that’s great, but you’ve got to live too. I always thought you guys should have taken a gap year together before starting study again.”
Rav shrugged. “That’s not really me. I just want to get all the study out of the way and get my career moving, you know?”
“Surprisingly, I do,” Harvey said. “Not the study part, of course, but the career bit. Sometimes the end justifies the means—we need to do whatever is necessary so we can reach that end goal.”
“You mean like you working at the pub and putting in the hours practising and gigging with the guys while you aim to hit the big time?”
“Exactly, it’s a hard slog but it will pay off in the end. I just wish it was more certain than your university degree—you put in your three years and that piece of paper is yours.”
“You’ll get there, Harvey. I just know it.”
Harvey grinned, his dimple flashing. “I only hope there’s a music producer out there with your level of confidence.”
“There is. You’ll be rich and famous one day.”
Harvey’s grin turned into a laugh. “I hope so, and you will too. You’ll be the creator of the top selling video game, raking in the cash, driving around in a sports car. You’ll buy your parents a huge house on the beach in Cottesloe.”
Rav barked out a laugh but there was no merriment in it. The laugh turned into a sob.
“Jesus, Rav.” Harvey sat up straighter and faced him. “I knew something was wrong. What’s happened?”
He sucked in a breath. “I spoke to Mum and Dad this morning. It didn’t go well.”
“Oh no.” Harvey looked at him with soft eyes. “I’m so sorry. I know you were worried and it’s not an easy discussion to have but at least it’s out in the open now.”
“It was terrible. You should have seen their faces.” Rav placed the Coke on the table, the sips he’d already had sitting uneasily in his belly.
Harvey placed a hand on his knee. “I’m sure it will all work out.”
“You don’t know that.”
“No, you’re right,” Harvey said. “But your parents love you, Rav. Hopefully they’ll come around.”
Harvey placed an arm around his shoulders, and he sagged against him, taking comfort from his hold. He breathed in the scent of sunscreen and salt; evidence Harvey had been to the beach this morning.
“It’s okay.” Harvey stroked up and down his arm. “You’ve got Parker and Bo, and you’ve got me. We’ll give you all the support you need.”
Rav nodded against Harvey’s chest. He was right. He’d practically grown up at the Shaws’ house and he’d always be welcome there. “Thanks, Harvey.”
“No thanks needed. That’s what friends are for. Right?”
