He's got the whiskey out, a magnifier for his tiny truths that turn into giant epic confessionals once you can see through the bottle, thereabouts a third of the way gone now.
Lochlan's nothing if not predictable and I brace myself for the inevitable revelation.
I only have one thing I have to admit to you right this minute, Peanut. I told you I would never gamble with you but times change and I had no choice. I knew damn well you would latch on to the first guy who seemed worthy after Jake and I swore up and down I wouldn't be Rebound Guy. I couldn't risk it. Statistically those never work, right? So just look at this way, you got that whole stage out of the way already. Now we're home free.
What if it had worked out? What if it still does?
Well, firstly, it's over. And secondly, I can wait. That's what I do, Bridge. I wait for you. I'm a pro now. Expert. Grand master.
You should probably put that bottle down before you make this any worse with your words, Locket.
Yes, I should.
***
Caleb steps out from the path on the wrong side of the patio from where he is supposed to be. I am drinking hot chocolate that Duncan made for me and reading Christmas catalogs by the light of the moon. One of the upsides to being housebound and down is that I have my Christmas shopping half finished already! Yeah. please envy me already.
What are you doing? Were you at the house?
I have spent the better part of two hours lying on Daniel's bed listening to Elton John and talking about sex clubs in Prague.
That's what he does when he's stressed out.
He goes to Prague? I had no idea.
No, he lies on the bed and listens to Elton. He's too scared to go to a sex club.
I don't blame him. I am too. I like Elton though. Very relaxing.
Why is he stressed? Because of Ben?
Yes and I wanted to explain to him my reasoning and future plans to bring Ben home where he belongs when he is ready and not prone to taking out his frustrations on you.
Did he buy it?
No more than you did, I'm sorry to say but he did agree Ben can't lash out at you like that. You're both going to have to get used to the fact that sometimes people need a good swift kick to pull themselves together.
Should I brace myself?
Speaking of which, why are you alone?
Loch just went in. I was about to follow.
How is he?
Drunk and truthful. But do you care?
Of course I care. Someone important to you is important to me by default.
Caleb?
Yes?
Whatever you do in life, please remember I'm not twelve years old anymore and I don't believe things just because you tell me them.
That's a crying shame, Bridget.
I know. It would make things so much easier.
What could I tell you that you wish to believe?
That everything turns out okay in the end. That sex clubs in Prague are a myth.
Want that figurative swift kick now or shall I wait?
