Parker took a seat and pulled out his phone, as Harvey got to work on the La Marzocca. The espresso machine was his pride and joy, the first indulgence he’d treated himself to as soon as his finances allowed it. The kitchen filled with the sound of hissing and the aroma of fresh coffee.
“Mum’s been online again. She’s commented on the selfie you posted from the bar yesterday.”
“Oh, Jesus. What did she say this time?”
Parker chuckled. “I quote; what’s a mother got to do to wrangle an invite to cocktails with her first-born son?”
“That’s not too bad I guess,” Harvey said as he slid into the seat opposite Parker, pushing a coffee his way. “Last week she commented that I was well overdue for a haircut, and the post before that… the photo of the band in the hot tub? She referred to an adorable, her words, picture she had of me sitting in the bath naked.”
Parker’s chuckle turned into a full-on laugh. “I saw that,” he managed to say. “You’re lucky she didn’t post the photo itself.”
“So are you, little bro. You’re in it too. All white and wrinkly, and showing off the family jewels, if I remember correctly.”
“I was only two!” Parker spluttered. “God, we’ve got to watch out for that woman—the damage she could do to our manhood! She’s got quite the following, doesn’t she? Her comments get more likes than your original posts.”
“She’s a marketer’s dream. I think I’ve got a ton of followers who are only following my account so they can keep up with what Mum says.” Their mum may have been crazy, but she was caring, her sons being her pride and joy, so he counted himself lucky.
Harvey looked up as Ravi entered the kitchen. He yawned wide and scraped a hand through his scruffy hair. He looked sleep rumpled and sexy, even though Harvey knew he must have the hang-over from hell.
“Rough night?” Parker chuckled.
Ravi’s gaze shot to Parker, mouth wide. “I… ah…”
Shit!Harvey didn’t want Parker to get the wrong idea, not after what had happened back in Perth all those years ago. Parker thought Harvey should have been nicer to Ravi and blamed him for leading Ravi on.So, better to forestall any conversation.Harvey jumped up. “Just a few drinks at the restaurant. You want a coffee, Rav?” He was halfway to the machine by the time Ravi answered.
“Yeah, that’d be awesome.” Ravi took the seat Harvey had just vacated. He fiddled with the cords on his sweats, obviously still half asleep, ignoring them both as he focused on unravelling the knot.
God, he’d been stupid. Harvey gave himself a mental kick. He should have set up the sofa bed where Ravi had been sleeping up until now, but Ravi was so pissed the night before, it seemed the right thing to do by giving him the bedroom where he wouldn’t be disturbed and could sleep in in the morning. Plus, the ensuite was handy, Ravi having made use of it a couple of times the night before. Harvey had heard the poor guy retching when he’d woken during the night.
“Get that into you, then grab a shower.” Harvey placed a freshly brewed espresso in front of Ravi and took a seat. He really did look green.
“Thanks.” Ravi grabbed the cup and immediately brought it to his lips.
“As soon as you’re ready, and after the groceries arrive, we’ll hit the road,” Harvey said. He could see the question in Parker’s eyes but ignored his pointed stare. “I thought we’d head up the mountains today. I want to show you the Blue Mountains.”
“No climbing, no abseiling?” Parker asked.
“Just a bushwalk today. Although—”
“No althoughs. I’m happy with an easy hike but you know me, Harv, any of that other more adventurous stuff isn’t my thing.”
“And didn’t you agree not to do anything risky?” Ravi piped up. “Didn’t you promise Rafe?”
Harvey rolled his eyes. “Hmm… promise is an exaggeration, and life’s all about taking risks.”
“Really?” Ravi’s brows nearly hit his hairline. “Taking risks, huh?’
“I—” The doorbell chimed, and Harvey jumped up. He opened the front door and greeted the delivery guy, never more grateful for the interruption. The guy brought in bags of groceries, placing them in the entrance hall before heading back out the front door, only to return with more bags.
“Jesus, Harvey. How much did you order? You’ll be leaving soon,” Parker said.
“Enough to last till the end of the week. Plus, Ravi’s thinking of staying on, minding the apartment while I’m away, so I figured I’d stock up.”
The delivery man placed a case of bottled water on the floor near the door, running out of room in the entrance hall that was now crammed with grocery bags.
“I’ll take some of these through to the kitchen.” Parker hefted a few bags and headed down the hall.
“Thanks, mate.” Harvey nodded to the delivery guy then closed the front door, just as Parker returned for another load. “Thank fuck for home delivery, I can’t stand facing the supermarket, especially if I want to run in for a quick trip. Much better to stock up than have to brave the recognition that turns a five-minute trip to grab milk into an hour-long photo session.”
