Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 60487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
“Ohmygod,” she yelped and threw her arms around his neck, and then she yelped again, jerking a finger towards the sliding doors. Pete—fresh off the bus in casual jeans and geeky t-shirt—was trundling a suitcase towards the store. “I’ll flip the sign to closed on my way out!”
She left with a dazzling hello to Pete, and Pete gave her a toothy smile and a hello back. Carl had been seeing that smile since they were three and got into mischief at kindergarten, and twenty-three years later, he still couldn’t get enough of it.
He leapt over the counter, not caring he sent the mag slithering to the floor in his enthusiasm, and engulfed Pete in a fierce hug of flannel. He stepped back, rubbing Pete’s upper arms as he took him all in. A little thinner than usual, and his gaze looked tired, lacking its usual glitter. “You eating enough?”
“It’s been busy. Especially this last semester.”
Explained why he’d called less and less. Carl wagged a finger at him, but he was the kind of guy who understood boundaries, people having stresses and needing space. It was okay that Pete had focused more on his studies.
“Let me take your suitcase—” Carl reached for it, but Pete stood it at his side.
“It’s all good.” Pete glanced at the kennel behind Carl. “What’s this?”
A rush of nerves exploded in Carl’s stomach; he rubbed his damp palms over the back of his jeans and sunk his fingers into the pockets. He nicked his head for Pete to come closer, and Pete took a few steps with a slight frown regarding the bow.
“We always said we’d get a dog someday,” Carl said after clearing a lump in his throat. “I thought, now you’re moving back, we could start on that soon? Ah, have a look inside.”
Pete stared at the kennel, unmoving, and dropped his chin to his chest. Carl zipped to his side. “What’s up?” He tucked a finger under Pete’s chin and raised his head. Shimmery tears filled Pete’s eyes. Carl never did tears himself but the sight of them had his heart pounding. He hauled Pete into a hug. “Hey, hey. I’ve got ya.”
Pete shook his head against Carl’s shoulder before resting it, catching his breath, and pulling out of his arms. “You’re my best friend. You’re really important to me. So this is hard.”
“What’s wrong? I’ll help.”
Pete met his gaze, his shadowed and wet. “Things have been different since I went to uni.”
“Sure. It’s been bloody hard work for you!”
“I meant . . . us. The boyfriending.”
“Well, long distance. We can make it easier from now on.” Carl gestured towards the kennel and Pete grabbed his extended arm and squeezed it.
“I don’t want to.”
Carl’s ears pounded. He wasn’t quite sure he’d heard that right. Before he could ask for a repeat, Pete continued. “Being apart made me realise. We’re not really in love—wait, let me finish. I know we love each other, but it’s like . . . family.”
Carl didn’t need clarification now. He rocked back on his heels. His gut felt like it was punched up his throat and might come out if he opened his mouth, so he kept it shut.
“We’re better as friends. Best friends.”
Carl nodded and nodded. He shoved a trembling hand through his hair and hoped his voice didn’t catch. “Is there someone?”
Pete let out a long, slow breath.
“There is. —Not like that. I haven’t acted on any of those feelings.”
“But you have feelings.”
Pete stepped forward and Carl did his best to stand still, not step back. He swallowed it all down.
“That’s how I know what we have isn’t love. Not passionate, romantic love.”
Carl scratched the back of his head and stepped to the side, between Pete and his stupid proposal. Got this one wildly wrong. “Is that right?”
“I’m sorry.”
“I mean . . . what’s he like?” His throat tightened as he forced a laugh. “He’d better be good for my . . . best friend.”
“We don’t have to do this—”
“No, no. Let’s. Get it all out now so I can process it all at once. Is he very different?”
Pete looked towards the journalistic-integrity-free magazine stand. “He’s a mature student, like me. Started vet school after travelling the world. He’s super fond of animals and got top marks in all his subjects; he tutored me in farm practical training, especially the agrichemicals modules . . .”
Pete got lost in admiring details of talented Nick, and Carl kept running his hand through his hair and nodding as his store suddenly came into sharp focus around him. This is what his life and future looked like. Hot pies, magazines, pet products, and emergency eggs.
“He has to do a six-month placement at a rural practice, and since we got on so well, he applied to one in Earnest Point.”
“You’re . . . moving in together?”