Asking For a Friend by JJ Harper

Author:JJ Harper [Harper, JJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-04-20T18:30:00+00:00

My phone buzzes on the table, showing my mother’s name for the tenth time in two days. She’s persistent; I’ll give her that. Eventually, curiosity got the better of me, and I opened the invitation that had been lying where she’d left it. But I’m sticking to my guns and am not going.

“Is that your mother?” Connor peers at my phone.

We’re in The King’s Head, surrounded by giggling on-the-way-to-hammered girls in expensive party dresses. I ignore his question. He’s already seen her name. “When did silly women take over gay bars? It’s not like they’re going to pull.”

“Don’t deflect. Is she still nagging you about the party?” He picks up his pint and takes a long drink.

“Yep, it’s three weeks away, and she’s calling five or six times a day. I’m not going to change my mind, though.” Connor isn’t looking at me anymore but stares over my shoulder. “Who’ve you seen?” I turn around. Fuck. Hesketh.

I swallow hard. He looks good. No scrap that. He looks amazing. His hair is a little longer than when I last saw him, and the light scruff of stubble on his jaw gives him an edgier look. He doesn’t see me. He’s talking to a tall blond guy who I’ve seen on Scottie’s birthday. I can’t remember his name. He’s laughing at something Hesketh says. His gaze lands on me. He narrows his eyes for a second, then looks away.

“Leave it, Conn. It’s fine.” It’s not fine, not by a long shot, but I’m okay. Of course Hesketh didn’t pay any attention to my order to leave me alone, and for the fortnight that followed, he called me constantly or sent messages. He even came to my house. But I stayed true to myself and didn’t answer him or read his messages, and I sure as shit didn’t open my door. Then it stopped. I haven’t seen him since. It will take me a long time to forget him. My heart still aches for him, and my bed is too big and too empty without him. But I owe it to myself to stay strong and away from him.

“You still miss him. I know you do. Maybe you should listen to what he has to say,” Connor says.

“Drop it. He made his choice.” My phone chimes again. This time I pick it up. “For fuck’s sake, Mother, I’m not coming. Stop calling me.”

“Orlando,” my father’s deep, gruff voice replies.

I lean back in my chair, not believing my ears. I haven’t heard from him for ten years. Strangely he doesn’t sound angry. “I’m not coming. I won’t be used as a prop in your pathetic attempt to show off a perfect family.”

“I don’t give a shit about that. Your mother was wrong to say that.”

“Then what do you want me there for? Because I’m damn sure you’ve had a party every Christmas for the last ten years. Did my invitations for those get lost in the post? Look, I don’t care. I’m not coming. Don’t call again.

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