I never thought I’d hear the words ‘Satan’s Butthole’ from my mother.
‘Ren invited all of these people?’ I looked around, dumbfounded.This didn’t make sense.
‘Where is he?’
‘Outside with Liam, love.’
I headed to the French doors, but then stopped in my tracks, mentally berating myself for being so selfish.
‘Do you want me to get rid of these people?Or do you need some help?I can clear some glasses.’
‘No, no.Don’t be silly!’ Mum said, a smile not reaching her eyes.‘I told Lawrence he could invite whoever he wanted.’
My eyes narrowed and I went to search for my best friend, determined to give him a piece of my mind, until I saw Liam had beaten me to it.Ren’s face was lit up by the security lights, his face lit in gold and amber.His rich brown hair was styled back off his face and I knew – after years of watching him – that it took an inordinate amount of product to make it look that perfectly carefree.Just like it took an inordinate amount of effort to seem as carefree as he did, because, underneath it all, he wasn’t.
His face had hardened over time, but still maintained some of the boyish softness.His nose was slightly crooked from a punch he got from a sixth-former twice his size.Now his face was morphed into anger – his cheeks flushed, his eyes wild.I’d seen this look before, and it always spelled trouble.
‘… can’t you see what I’m saying?’ Liam’s voice dropped low, thick with frustration.The strain in it made me still.‘Have you seen the mess you’ve made of Sandra and Brian’s house?They threw this party for you – to celebrate your award.And this is how you repay them?’
‘They said I could invite—’
‘They said you could invitesomefriends, Ren.Not the entire Hospo scene from the Northwest.’
‘Liam, they’re here to celebrate me winning the award.But, of course, you don’t care about that, do you?’
‘Of course I do.But if I see any of them doing drugs—’
Ren flinched.‘They wouldn’t do that.’
Here,I could almost hear him add.I was sure Liam could hear it too.
‘This isn’t the scene I want to surround myself with.These parties, how things can spiral.I have to prioritise Abigail.Now isn’t the time for risks, Ren.And this—’You, the word unsaid ‘—is a risk.’
‘So that’s it?You’re going to throw it all in – all the plans we made – because of one party?’ Ren spat, then laughed, humourlessly.‘No, of course it’s more than that.I can see it in your face.You’re scared.Scared of change.Fucking typical.’
‘Ren.Careful.’ Liam’s voice was tight, a thread about to snap.But Ren was already chasing the high of a fight.
‘It’spathetic. You haven’t even told Dad about the restaurant, have you?We signed a fucking contract, and you’re still at his beck and call, still too spineless to admit youhateworking for him—’
Ren took a step closer, raising his finger.
‘Ren, I’m warning you.’
‘You think just because you quit drinking and started acting like a saint, you’re better than me.You’re not.You’re the same washed-up single dad who fucked up his relationship and now—’
Liam erupted.
He launched forward and grabbed Ren by the shirt, slamming him back hard enough that the breath caught in my chest.
‘Shut the fuck up!’ Liam spat.
I burst through the patio doors.
‘Liam!’ I barked.‘Take a breath.Think.It’s not worth it.’
I’d been pulling these two out of scraps since sixth form, so I knew what to say.Liam stood frozen, fist clenched around Ren’s shirt, still breathing hard as he stared down his younger brother.
‘Wipe that smirk off your face, Ren,’ I said, voice flat.‘You’re just proving his point, and you know it.’
