Page 29 of Unrequited Sloth

“I don’t think she’s going to do that. It’s probably just a threat to make sure we don’t say anything to anyone about what really happened.”

“How is she going to explain that the wedding isn’t going to happen? I mean, if that’s what . . .” He trailed off, unsure how to finish that sentence.

“The wedding is definitely off,” said Bobby. “She slapped me and booted me out.”

“She did what? When did she kick you out?”

“When I got back, she’d already changed the locks, and all my stuff was packed up. She must have headed back to the UK as soon as she knew I’d found out.”

“Where did you go last night?”

“I stayed in a hotel.”

“Why didn’t you go to one of your brothers?”

“They both rent and have flatmates. It would be a massive pain in the arse for them, even if they could do it.”

“Where’s the hotel?”

“In Holloway, near the storage place.”

Gabriel’s heart sank, and he felt awful. He panicked that his sister was going to blame him for her relationship ending to their parents, but it was all bullshit. Bobby was homeless, and that was a fact. How could his sister just kick him out when she’d been the one cheating? Now all his stuff was in storage, and he was staying in a hotel. Gabriel wasn’t having that.

“How long have you got the hotel for?”

“Another two nights while I work out what I’m gonna do.”

“You can stay here.”

“Are you serious?”

The hopeful sound in Bobby’s voice confirmed Gabriel was doing the right thing.

“You’re not staying in a hotel, Bobby. I’ve got a spare room.”

“Don’t you use that as an office?”

“How do you know that?”

“You said it one time. I can sleep on the sofa, if that’s okay.”

“There’s a bed in there. I can move the desk out here, or we’ll share it for when you work at home, and just make it work between us.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Thank you is usually a good start.”

Bobby laughed before he pulled Gabriel into one of his softer hugs. He tried not to relax into it too much, but he couldn’t help himself. When they pulled apart, Gabriel saw Bobby’s eyes were wet, but he said nothing.

“Shall we get your stuff?” asked Gabriel.

“I’ve got the hotel for another two nights.”

“And you’re back at work soon. Wouldn’t it be better to just get settled?”

“I suppose . . .” He hesitated.

“Is everything okay?”