Page 3 of Friends Rucked Up

“No,” Harlan and I say at the same time. We know what Alfie and the Scarabs are capable of.

Harlan adds, “Better make it three tickets just in case you need a different seat to the one you should have on the field.” He’s baiting his best friend, and I try not to react.

Alfie dark thick brows pull together. “I can’t go to the final and support another team.”

“You better not let us down then.” My brother smiles cheekily. His blue eyes hold mischief only he can pull off.

“I’ll try my best. Now, tell us more about Singapore. How is the food? Have you met any hot chicks?” Alfie asks, swiftly changing the subject.

I swat him on the elbow. “I don’t want to know about my brother’s love life unless he’s finally going to get a girlfriend.”

“Well, I want to live vicariously through Harlan, supposing neither of us are getting any dating action.” He turns his brown eyes on me, and I twist my blonde hair around my finger nervously.

I don’t want to talk about my lack of dating either. My brother likes to pretend I’ve never had a boyfriend and I’d probably be better off if I hadn’t. Hence why I’m single and happy about it. I’m sure when I meet Mr Right, he’ll be nothing like my previous relationships and until he finds me, I’ll be staying clear of the walking male red flags.

“Just today I spent time with a sweet man,” I say, trying to lighten the mood.

“People at the nursing home do not count.” Alfie gives me a pointed look, letting me know he’s not buying my stretch of the truth.

I’m not sure why exactly, but I haven’t dated since high school. All my relationships have ended badly, and it’s exhausting. It doesn’t mean there aren’t good men out there, I just haven’t found one. Nights out with strangers aren’t really my thing.

I joined a dating app, but it was full of creeps, self-lovers, and scammers, so I quickly deleted it. It was too stressful spottingthe catfish, never mind the guys who were only looking for a one-time thing. I’ll stick to my older, wiser, friendly men who only want my company and maybe my Turkish delight.

“Fine, I’m lacking in the relationship department. Do you have any romance to tell us about, Harlan?” He smiles at the news of me not dating.

I think secretly Harlan wants me to stay available so he can move back in with me when he gets home from travelling. If I meet someone, he’d hate being the third wheel.

“First of all, I’m a young, red-blooded Englishman so I’m not into making love. Secondly, the women I meet aren’t interested in planting roots because we’re all looking for our next destination, however I will tell you the fun train never stops when you’re traveling. Everyone wants to share their stories, a bed, or a tent.” He winks at us in his usual cheeky way.

I roll my eyes, thankful he spared me half the details. The PG version is all I want to imagine my brother doing and the only reason I asked him the question was to get him off my back.

“Your tan looks good. I’m guessing you’re enjoying the sunshine as well as the ladies?” I ask, hoping to completely stir the conversation away from relationships.

“Yes. This rooftop bar is one of many. The city’s vibrant and the beaches are the perfect escape. The food is great, the views are stunning, and I’m basically in paradise. I won’t be staying here too long, though, because it’s expensive. Me and a group of guys are thinking of moving on to Australia. We’re just waiting on a few visas to be accepted.”

I envy my brother’s ambition. He goes after what he wants feet first without overthinking the consequences. So far, luck has been on his side and everything has worked out. He makes travelling look like a year-round vacation, but I know he workshard. He will basically do any kind of manual labour for his next meal ticket.

We talk a little more about Harlan’s adventures until he’s called away by one of his friends. They’re going out tonight to celebrate his birthday, and I can’t begrudge him ending our chat.

It’s hard to hide my frown as we hang up. Alfie eyes me cautiously.

“Do you want a beer before you go?” Alfie asks, getting up from the sofa.

“What, on a school night?” I give him a fake shocked look.

Alfie is usually the one turning down any distraction from rugby including the occasional drink.

“I don’t usually drink alcohol once the off season is over, but tonight I’m making an exception. Harlan might not be with us, but we can raise a glass to celebrate.”

He’s right, we should take the opportunity to enjoy his birthday. Alfie doesn’t usually keep beer in the fridge, so he must’ve gone out of his way to collect some. One drink isn’t going to hurt, and I’m not ready to go home yet. All I’ll do is wallow in self-pity over missing another of my brother’s birthdays. Hopefully, Alfie can take my mind off it, and we’ll be able to relax.

“Do you have bottles or cans?”

“I can be classy and put it in a glass, if that’s what you want?” he says, understanding my real question.

I don’t drink straight from the can unless it’s a soft drink. He doesn’t wait for my answer as he heads for the kitchen.

I shutdown the laptop, abandoning it on the sofa and follow Alfie into the kitchen area. He already has two glasses out on theworktop and is pouring a beer into them. He offers me one of the drinks before taking a swig of his beer.

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