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No help for it, though. They’ll be pissed if I turn up empty handed.

I race to the supermarket, cram the first dry, probably stale buns into my backpack, and give the side eye to all the prepackaged salads. Eventually I choose some leafy greens and fresh tomatoes. I’ll make something simple when I get there.

By the time I do, Jack rolls his eyes when he spots me. “So nice of you to turn up, Noah. I thought you might have stayed in bed again this week.”

I push past him on my way to the fridge. “Give it a rest.”

My big brother grabs a pair of tongs and gives me a final icy glare before heading out to the balcony off the living area where Mum, Dad, Luke, and Mia are talking and sipping glasses of wine or bottles of beer.

Promising myself I’ll keep my cool and not start something, I chop the tomato and whip up a dressing for the salad before grabbing a beer and heading outside.

“Hey, Noah. How are you?” Mia, Luke’s fiancé, is standing closest to the door and turns as I step out onto the balcony. Her polished Sydney accent and mannerisms used to piss me off, but I’ve long since come to terms with the fact that though she can be shy, she’s not a snob. She leans in to give me a kiss on the cheek, and I return her smile. “Can’t complain. What about you? Luke says you’re working on the final piece for the new show.”

She nods and my brother turns, wrapping his arm around his fiancée and giving me a pat on the shoulder. “Hey, Noah. Did I hear you ask about Mia’s show?”

Mia flushes. “Yeah, but I was just going to say it’s coming together, OK. I wish I had time for another piece, but what I have will have to do.”

Luke shakes his head. “Baby, it’s perfect. Trust yourself.”

I simultaneously want to throw up in my mouth at how fucking smug they are together and have to fight off a stab of jealousy at their relationship. I was pretty anti-Mia at the start, but that’s only because I thought she wouldn’t stick around. I still worry sometimes if I’m honest, but I can’t argue with how much she’s invested into supporting our family. That has to count for something.

I greet my parents, noting that Dad’s skin has slightly more color today than the last time I saw him. By the time Jack’s finished overcooking the meat and we’re all sitting around the outdoor table together, I’m not feeling too bad.

My phone buzzes and I lift it to see a message from Olivia. I check it under the table.

Olivia: was going to go to the gym today but uh… I think you might have broken me. I’ll be free later if you are

When I look up to see Jack watching me across the table, I make a better effort to wipe the silly smile off my face and type back.

Noah: that’s brave. What if I want to do it all over again?

She adds a flame emoji and I think she’s not going to say anymore, but then three little dots appear as she types.

Olivia: I was kinda hoping you would

I lock the screen, sliding my phone back into my pocket and shifting as my cock twitches at the thought of repeating yesterday’s activities. Do I want to make her come until she begs me to stop? Hell yeah I do.

When I look up, Jack is still watching me. What is his problem?

Everyone’s finished, so I get up and clear the table, stacking all the dishes up my arm to carry them in one go. Just as I drop them in the kitchen, my phone buzzes again in my pocket.

Only this time it’s not a text, it’s a photo. Olivia is lying on her bed with her legs spread. The camera is pointed at her naked pussy and the caption reads:come kiss it better

I quickly turn my phone over when a cough from behind me makes me jump. “Do I want to know who that is?” asks Luke.

“Who what is?” Jack is carrying the tongs and aluminum trays he used for the BBQ. He stops and looks between me and Luke, who unhelpfully gives me a nudge. “Go on, Noah. Enlighten us. Or have you forgotten her name already?”

“Oh, it’s like that huh?” Jack rolls his eyes and sets down the things in the sink. “Is that why you were so late?”

“No. And no, it’s not like anything.”

They both scoff and, fair enough, I’ve probably earned that. I’ve got a bit of a reputation in Kraken Cove.

Look’s expression grows serious. “Look, Noah, as long as she knows what’s going on, yeah?”

I frown. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Oh come on. Don’t play dumb. You know you’re the local pony. Everyone’s had a ride, but I don’t think many of them are ready for how quickly they get thrown off at the end.”