“He’s not even listening,” Craig said, breaking me out of my thoughts. I did manage to latch on to his words and the amusement evident in his tone. The arsehat knew exactly why I’d drifted off.
I flipped Craig off and looked at Ross. He shifted his attention away for a beat before returning his focus back on me. “I was saying Mum’s already talking about Christmas plans. Are your folks around then, or are you coming over to Mum and Dad’s?”
Affection unfurled in my stomach that he wasn’t simply extending an invite but laying out the expectation I’d be joining him and his family should my parents not be around.
The last two Christmases had been spent in Brisbane. The one before that in Sydney when I’d headed out and spent it with my parents.
“Your folks’ place,” I answered immediately. “Not sure when my parents are heading back again. I need to reach out to them and check out their plans. I don’t think they’re here for Christmas.”
“Well, if they end up being here, they can come too.”
“Thanks, I’ll let them know.” I allowed my glance to linger a fraction longer than appropriate before the bag of marshmallows landed in my lap. I grunted and sent Craig an incredulous look. The bastard mimicked wiping drool off his mouth before he cracked up laughing at himself.
“Did you agree to go on that date?”
Craig’s question ripped through the air. My head whipped in his direction. While I figured as much, his focus on his brother hit me hard. He couldn’t have been asking me that question, since there was no date in sight.
Scowling, I flicked my attention to Ross.
The pointed look he sent to Craig didn’t escape me. My breath caught in my throat, and while desperate to ask a question, I wasn’t sure which one to settle on or if I wanted to know the answer.
Ross saved me from potentially embarrassing myself when he shook his head, startled eyes wide open. “No,” he confirmed. That one word sent a rush of relief into me, but that was immediately followed by wondering why I didn’t know what they were talking about.
“I’m confused. Alec said you’d agreed and exchanged numbers.” Craig frowned at his brother.
Ross shrugged. “I changed my mind.”
It was impossible not to ask. “What date?”
Ross’s shoulders turned rigid before he seemed to forcefully relax them. “Nothing. There’s no date.”
My eyebrows furrowed. “Okay, but someone asked you?” Curiosity battled it out with jealousy. Not quite sure which was winning, I attempted to keep my tone natural. There wasn’t a chance I’d look at Craig, though. The man knew too much, and this conversation right here was because of his shit-stirring. I was fully aware of that and knew it was time I had it out with him. He needed to back off, regardless of whether his intentions were good or not.
“Just a guy who I see at the bar occasionally.”
I latched on to the inside of my cheeks, trying to stop the third-degree questions burning my tongue. “Oh, okay.” I wondered if the guy was good-looking and nice. I also wondered why Ross had changed his mind.
I hesitated, questioning whether I’d have asked another friend those questions if I wasn’t so heavily invested in their answers. My forced smile slipped, knowing if this was about Craig, I’d be asking all sorts of questions and probably giving him shit.
I just didn’t have it in me to play that card.
“Alec said Carl was hot.” There went Craig again. I shot him the stink eye, trying my hardest to shut him down.
Needing to try to change tacks, I asked, “Since when does Alec think men are hot?”
Craig shrugged. “I dunno. Ask him. I think we can all acknowledge when someone is fit or not, right?”
My mouth twitched. “Look at you not getting caught up in toxic masculinity or some shit. I’m so proud of you.”
He snorted, following with a lopsided smile. “I live for your praise and approval,” he deadpanned, making us all laugh.
I followed the sound of Ross’s chuckle. The gleam in his eyes was genuine and a sharp difference to a few moments ago. Taking in the sight of him, I breathed a little easier. Just maybe his lack of interest in this Carl was more than the man not being his type or something.
He flashed his bright smile at me, one I’d missed from not spending as much time with the man.
Maybe his lack of interest was more to do with me.
A bloke could dream.
