Page 26 of In the Long Run
‘What’s wrong with them?’Eug asks before lifting his drink and blowing on it.Steam spirals up and he sighs contentedly.
‘They’re white.’
Eugene and I laugh.‘And that’s bad because …’
‘It’s so boring!I hate boring clothes.’Her bright blue leggings and boxy yellow jumper with a cartoon turtle running in front of a Van Gogh painting reinforce her statement.I know it’s a Van Gogh because printed above the turtle is ‘Watch Me Van Gogh’ in capitals.
‘Who’s the other coffee for?’Eugene asks.
Celeste’s giggle confirms my suspicions.
‘Ah,’ Eugene says, settling further into the couch.‘I’m almost sad I can’t come along to watch.’
‘I’m going to livestream it.You know my TikTok followers get frothy whenever Knox is on camera.Remember when we went to the Gold Coast last year and he wore those boardies?First time I ever went viral.’Celeste raises her hand for a high five but I push it down before Eugene can return it.
‘Okay.’I slap my hands against my thighs and grab my phone and keys.‘We’re going now.Eug, call if you need anything.Gen said—’
‘Oh, Knoxy, you’re so pretty and strong and manly.’Celeste’s high-pitched imitation of Gen is borderline offensive, as is the gesture she adds at the end.Thankfully, Eugene doesn’t see that bit.Although, the man lived abroad in France in the ’80s and early ’90s.Pretty sure he’s seen everything.
‘—Caleb’s home this morning if you need any help.Can I get you anything before we leave?’
‘Just have fun.Do something nice for yourself.’
Easier said than done.
‘Hey, so, quick question.At what point are you going to actually knock on the door?’Celeste whispers as I stare at Gen’s door.
‘You’re a pain in the ass.’
She squeezes my arm, plastering her face to my side theatrically.‘You say the sweetest things, Knox.It’s a mystery that you’re still single.’
I flick her nose, and she shrieks and jumps away from me.
‘Shhh.Gen said that she’d make her own way to Run Club this morning,’ I whisper.
‘I thought she’d like a coffee.’Celeste shrugs, totally unrepentant about what we both know is her real motivation.‘And then we can give her a lift.Looks like rain out there.’She points towards the patch of sky we can see from the second-floor landing.There isn’t a single cloud in it.
‘I think we should meet her there like she said.’
Celeste manages to roll her eyes with her whole body, pairing the exaggerated movement with a condescending press of her hand to her forehead.‘Maybe Yeti’s right, as much as it pains me to admit that.I’ll deny it if you ever tell him.’
I cross my arms.‘What are you talking about?’
‘You’re clearly into her.’
My eyes close.‘Celeste.’I wince, hearing all the layers wrapped up in her name.The plea to let this go and the embarrassment that I’m so transparent.Being back home is messing with my head.Mostly how much I’m enjoying being here.The recognition of how lonely I’d let my life become and – I clear my throat – how much I’ve missed out on.
‘And she likes you too.’
Don’t do it.
Don’t do it.
‘What makes you think that?’I open my eyes in time to catch the tail end of Celeste’s biggest, happiest smile.
She jabs a finger at my chest.Her nails have cupcakes on them.‘Ha!You admit it.You do like her.’
I push her hand away.‘I never said that.’
