Page 80 of The King Contract
I cringe. “It’s embarrassing.”
“It’d be embarrassing if you left the surf game with your drunk and disorderly charge as your parting gift,” Callum argues. “You’ve got plans in place. You’re working at making amends. Don’t sell yourself short.”
“Thanks.” I glance back at Dan. “I’m sorry. You’re the reason I’m not dead right now.”
Dan purses his lips. “I’m the reason all three of you aren’t dead.”
Callum chuckles, but Mack opens his mouth in protest. “How very dare you, sir? Who do you think saved your life when Sarah up and left?”
Dan grits his jaw. “Fair point.”
Callum punches Mack in the upper arm and he howls in response. “What the fuck?”
“We’re moving away from the Sarah discussion,” Callum points out. “How can you work in public relations and not pick up on these cues?”
“I don’t believe in bullshitting my friends like I do with my work,” Mack replies haughtily, rubbing his arm. “All three of you could do better with that, by the way.”
My mouth lifts into a half smile. “You make a valid argument.” Mack’s eyebrows shoot to his hairline at my admission. “We can always count on you to be upfront with us and I appreciate it, even when it’s the most annoying thing to hear. I’m sorry for thinking you’d blab about Millie. I know friendship comes before gossip.” Mack beams at me.
Callum nods in agreement. “We’ve all had our moments, but we’re friends through thick and thin and all that.”
“We’re totally cute,” Mack sings, slinging his arm over my shoulder.
I shake Mack off as Callum laughs and Dan shakes his head, a small smile on his lips.
“It’s a big part of why I want you guys with me next year,” I explain. “Not for some events, but forallof them. I want the best parts of me to come along for the ride. I know it’s not your responsibility, but if you could help keep me in check like you did at camping, that’d help.”
“We can do that.” Dan winks at Callum.
I nod. “Thanks.”
“Are we not going to address the other elephant in the room?” Mack asks. The three of us look at him, unsure of where he’s going. Mack rolls his eyes. “Millie. What’s going on there?”
“I don’t know.” I swallow, ducking my head. “I like her.”
That’s an understatement. Hanging out with Millie has been the highlight of my year. I want to text her every time somethingcool or funny happens. I want to ask her about her time at school and what she sees in her future. The thought of parting ways at the end of next month stings to think about.
“Youlikelike her?” Callum clarifies.
“Yep.” It comes out of my mouth without hesitation, hitting me like a slap in the face.
Ilikelike Millie.
“Shit,” I groan. “I’ve been weird since camping and she can tell. I’ve got no idea what I’m doing.”
Mack slaps me on the shoulder. “What else is new?”
Every time I caught up with Millie this week, I made a point of ensuring other people were there. Bowling with our friends on Monday night under the guise of a camping de-brief, snorkelling after work on Wednesday with Mack as our blabbermouth tour guide. Whenever Millie and I had a moment alone, I talked and talked about everything except what we did at camping. I convinced myself I’d overstepped the mark, and whilst I definitely don’t regret what we did, I don’t want her to feel like shecan’tregret it. I’m still a coward, trying to avoid serious conversations about serious issues I’m yet to figure out myself.
“What do I do?” I moan. “I told her I wasn’t interested in a girlfriend. She said she didn’t have time for a boyfriend.”
Callum shrugs. “Situations change.”
Mack arches an eyebrow at him, but miraculously doesn’t make a comment about him and Steph.
I tip my head back to look at the ceiling. “What if it hasn’t changed for her?”
Mack groans. “Considering I’m allegedly the dumbest in this group, you’re all so stupid when it comes to relationships and women. How many times do I have to say it?Communicate,you dickwads.”
