Page 178 of The Long Way Home

Forty-Three

BJ

Haven’t broken up with Jordan yet. I know, I know — don’t start. Decided against it after Magnolia’s little New Year’s display. Feel shitty about that. Still shagging her anyway.

Jonah flat out won’t talk about Parks and Julian — don’t love that. Says if I’m going to have a girlfriend, I have to have a fucking girlfriend and not ask questions that apparently have nothing to do with me. Don’t love that either.

Henry swears up and down he saw Jordan give that DJ her number. Didn’t ask her about it. Honestly, fair play if she did — it’s not like I’m an overly attentive boyfriend at the minute.

I do bring her to brunch though, just to fuck off Magnolia.

I get why she did this all these years. Brought fake-lovers with her everywhere she went, I know how I’d look at her every time she’d wheel one of them in. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to seeing her face when I bring Jordan here today.

The Fuck Off Brunch is pretty close-circle shit. We don’t bring dates. Told Jonah I had to bring her because she’s my girlfriend, not a date. He just rolled his eyes.

Wear a jacket from Isabel Marant that has material Magnolia will need to feel to guess it. Just want to be close to her for a second. When we arrive at IT for brunch, there’s only one seat left and Parks isn’t here yet. Can’t help but feel relieved to know that she’s not bringing him.

It mustn’t be a thing. Julian’s not a brunch guy. She’d bring him if she could. She’d shove him down my throat, no doubt. Here’s hoping they were just a New Year’s hook up.

Stretch my arm around Jordan, kiss her cheek. I’m not really listening to her story about her friends from Australia coming over in a bit — Taylor and someone else — but decide to try to listen. A good boyfriend would listen. I have the capacity to be a good boyfriend.

“Taylor and who?” I ask.

“Tim Tottle? Her boyfriend.” She lifts her eyebrows. “They’ve been together forever.”

“Oy, J—” Christian calls over to her. “Do you have any hot Australian friends you could bring here? Blow all my troubles away…”

“I have lots of hot Australian friends.” She nods. “But all of them have already heard about Scottie and Taylor’s super hot but insane cousins in England. I don’t think anyone’s going to blow anything for you.”

I snort a laugh.

Christian rolls his eyes, annoyed, then his eyes light up a bit.

“Oi,” he cheers, looking over my shoulder.

Must be Parks.

Jonah stands, opens his arms. I look over, spot her in a second, this bright orange and lilac feather dress that only she could pull off. What I fucking wouldn’t give to be the one who could pull that dress off her, but it won’t be me. It’ll be him, the one behind her. Fucking Julian Haites.

Hugs my best friend. Reaches over, clasps hands with Christian, ruffles my brother’s hair.

I feel like I must look a bit spun out, so I look around, trying to flag down a waiter.

Grab one.

“We’re going to need an extra seat,” I tell them.

“Nah—” Julian says as he pulls Parks down onto his lap. “We’re good.”

His eyes go tight as he smirks over at me.

Parks tugs his jacket how she used to tug mine. Celine Homme. Nearly bought it. Glad I didn’t.

“Miss you,” Parks leans over the table, grabbing Taura’s hand.

“Same!” Tausie sings.

“Where’ve you been?” Jordan asks brightly.