Page 85 of The Long Way Home

Twenty-One

BJ

I knew she’d be nervous so I wait out front for her to arrive.

She gets here late.

I reckon she was probably hoping she’d get here and I’d have already told them, but I want to do it together. Felt important.

She looks like a kid again climbing out of that town car. My sweater hanging off all loose on her body — this Gucci navy and red jumper from a few years back that was big on me — fucking swimming on her— little navy skirt, a coat in the same colours as my jumper and bright red shoes.

I nod my chin at her — try my best not to read into her wearing it — give her a big smile, try to make her feel braver.

“Wondered where that went.”

She gives me a quick smile and I feel like she’s wearing it as a shield.

She tugs my jacket together, doing the buttons of it up — frowning — undoes them again. Touching me just to touch me.

“Logo-embroidered varsity jacket. Saint Laurent,” she says to no one in particular.

I tilt my head at her. “How’s the weather, Parks?”

She breathes out a nervous laugh. “A bit choppy.”

Don’t know why, but I’m a bit nervous too. They’re our best friends.

“They can’t ground us.” I nudge her playfully.

She looks up at me all grim.

I turn, hold her by both shoulders, stare down at her. “We don’t have to do this.” She nods a little. “Only if you want to,” I tell her.

“Do you want to?” she asks, eyes big.

I sort of nod and shrug at once. “It’s time, maybe?”

She nods again. I offer her my hand. She looks at it for a second but takes it anyway.

We walk over to our table — the boys and Tausie — all of them staring at our hands in each other’s.

“Holy shit—” Jo blinks, staring at it. “Are you two?”

“No,” Magnolia says quickly, looking embarrassed. She snatches her hand back.

Fucking Jonah.

She sits down next to my brother, I sit next to her.

If we weren’t about to deliver some soul-crushing information to them I’d be laughing at them. All five of them sitting there, staring at us, confused.

Parks looks over at me.

“Me or you?”

I chuck her a small smile. “Me.”

I put my arm around her chair. Around her, if I’m honest, but we’re calling it the chair because that’d go down easier with the girlfriend if this ever came up. It won’t.