Page 84 of Marley

“How’s it going, Bro? You moving in here permanent or what?”

He sat himself down on the sofa, still smiling. “Nah, we’ve been out looking for a new place of our own, but haven’t found anything yet.”

“What, you’re leaving me? I’m heartbroken, seriously heartbroken.” I tell him.

“Yeah, well, it had to happen one day, mate. I hear you’re gonna be moving Ash in soon anyway.” He winked.

I took off my cap and raked my hand through my hair. “Chance’d be a fine fucking thing right now. I can’t even get her to come back for a coffee.” I admitted. “Where’s George?” I wasn’t sure of how much I should confess to in front of my sister. I know I can tell Jimmie anything, but I’m not sure about Georgia. Her and Ashley were pretty close, and I didn’t want her running back with all my secrets, yet.

“She just jumped in the shower. We were still in bed when you buzzed.” Maca explained.

“Yeah, I didn’t really need to know that, dude, like ever.” I shuddered to express my point.

“Get used to it, Marls. The Georgia and Sean show is back on in full blown colour.” He was smiling his big, cheesy smile again.

“I’m pleased for you, mate, really pleased, but I don’t need to hear about the sleeping arrangements.”

“You want a drink? Tea, coffee, beer?” He asked as he moved over to the kitchen area. The place wasn’t huge, but because the kitchen, dining, and living area were all one big space, it felt bigger than it was. I followed Maca and sat myself down on a stool at the bench top.

“I’ll have a beer if there’s one going.”

He leaned against the kitchen bench top, sipping on his beer before asking, “So, Ashley. What’s the go there?”

I took a long swig of my own beer before letting out a long sigh. “I like her, Mac. She’s a great girl. We’ve had lunch every day this week, and dinner every night.”

“So what, you’ve been going back to hers?”

“No, mate.I’vebeen going back to mine ...Alone.”

His shoulders moved as he gave a little laugh. He studied my face for a few seconds before he worked out that I was serious.

“Seriously? You’ve been ... you’ve not?” He just stood there with his bottle raised to his mouth, but neither took a swig, nor said any more, just stared.

“Just lunch and dinner, dude, nothing else.” I admitted.

He finally took a mouthful of his beer and leaned his elbows down on the work top.

“I actually don’t know what to say. I mean...” He shrugs and looks around, then runs his fingers through his hair.

“Well shit, I’m really pleased for ya, mate. Really pleased.” He told me and I knew that he meant every word. One of the reasons I loved that bloke so much was because he was straight up. He didn’t lie or bullshit about anything. He was lost and heartbroken when he was away from my sister, and he didn’t care who knew it. He wore his heart on his sleeve and told the world. Now that they were back together, I’m sure he would be shouting it from the rooftops about how in love they were.

I gave my shoulders a little roll. “Well, we’re not a couple or anything yet. It’s still early days, but I like her a lot.”

He simply nodded his head.

“Big brother Marley.” I heard from behind and turned to see Georgia approaching. She was wearing a Nirvana T-shirt and a pair of black skin tight trouser things. Her hair was up in one of those messy birds nest things like Ashley’s was over the weekend, but G’s doesn’t look sexy coz that would just be weird, right?

She wrapped her arms around my neck from behind me and kissed my cheek.

“Little sister Georgia, you smell lovely.” I told her. She laughed and walked around, into the kitchen to kiss Maca on the cheek, then leant her elbows on the work top next to him. They grinned and stared at each other, giggling like a couple of kids.

“What are you two so smiley about?” I asked.

“Nothing,” Georgia said, but still smiled big, looking guilty as sin.

“See, I’m on the outside here. You used to let me in on your jokes. How times have changed. I’m gonna end up with abandonment issues.” I shook my head and feigned sadness.

“Dude, seriously. You would not want to know. Trust me on this one.” Maca said, but I was curious then and wanted to know what they were finding so amusing.