Page 61 of Take the Plunge

Jett

Three text messages in quick succession wake me up the next morning. Okay, maybe it’s closer to lunchtime. I don’t remember the last time I slept in so late. My first thought is that it’s someone from work telling me there’s a crisis, but when I check my phone, all the messages are from Rufus.

Rufus:Meet me for a drink this afternoon.

Rufus:It’s been AGES.

Rufus:I’m bored.

I wipe my hand over my face and contemplate my reply as another message arrives.

Rufus:Stop ignoring me.

And then another.

Rufus:I know you’re awake. You never sleep in.

And another.

Rufus:You’re not still salty with me, are you?

“Who is it?” Kian stirs beside me. “Work?”

“No. Your brother.” I grimace. Maybe I should have said ‘Rufus’ instead. “He wants me to meet him for a drink this afternoon.”

Kian snuggles against me. “You should.”

“That would mean kicking you out.”

“That’s okay. I promise I won’t be offended.”

“Are you sure?”

Kian nods and then laughs as another slew of text messages hit my phone. “You’d better reply and put him out of his misery.”

Me:I’m not ignoring you. When and where?

Rufus sends me a pub and a time, which doesn’t give me much time to get up, get showered, get dressed, and have breakfast before I need to leave to meet him. I debate telling him I need more time, but that will raise questions I don’t want to answer.

Me:I’ll be there.

Rufus:Excellent. I’ll see you soon.

I kiss Kian’s hair. “We need to get up.”

“Uh-huh.” He doesn’t open his eyes.

I kiss his head again and then leave him to doze while I shower. By the time I return to the bedroom to get dressed, Kian is sitting on the edge of the bed, rubbing his eyes.

“I’m getting up.” He trudges to the bathroom.

Half an hour later, we leave the flat together and get a bus into town. We part ways at the bus station, Kian to go home and me to find Rufus.

I meet him at a trendy pub with industrial vibes on the edge of town, close to the train station.

“Hi,” I grunt as I join him at a metal table.

“Is that any way to greet your best friend?” Rufus gestures to a pint of pale ale. “I got you a drink.”