Slow Grind (Men of Mornington)

She pulls the car into the driveway, and the house is exactly how I remember it—right down to the peeling paintwork on the exterior weatherboards and the seventies-style shutters. The front lawn is overgrown and in need of some attention, as is the side gate which is hanging from a single hinge. I glance at Mum. For someone who is so anal about her appearance, she’s certainly let this place go. Life must really be taking its toll.

“Your brother’s in his old room. We decided he should stay here for as long as he needs, and we’ve put his apartment on the market because we can’t cope with the overdue bills anymore.”

That’s right. Max had his own apartment. Granted, I didn’t live with Dad anymore, but I had a single room in a dorm and a shared bathroom while Max had his own, honest-to-God apartment. I’m both jealous and sad, because even though that kind of independence is nowhere in my foreseeable future, it would be a thousand times worse to have it taken away from you.

“Thanks.” Grabbing my suitcase, I follow her into the house. I walk up the staircase and drop my bag outside my old bedroom. Pausing for a brief moment, I wonder if it’s still my bedroom or if she’s changed it to a gym or something equally as cliché. Probably the day I left. I pass by the bathroom connecting mine and Max’s room and pause just outside his door. Knocking softly, his familiar voice answers.

“Come in.”

Turning the handle, I’m about to go in when I hear another voice. It’s strange but familiar at the same time, but for the life of me, I can’t place it. In the end, curiosity gets the better of me, and I go inside.

“Hey there, handsome.” I walk over to his bed, forgetting for a moment we’re not alone, and throw my arms around him. “All this to get me home, huh?” I joke, and he smiles.

“You’ve caught me. The jig is up, everyone. You can come out now,” he teases back, and the tension in my body starts to fade. Cancer or not, my brother is still my brother.

“Two things,” I begin. “How are you feeling? And I’m still so pissed you didn’t tell me.”

“I’m all right.” He manages another smile, but this one doesn’t meet his eyes. I can tell he’s in more pain than he wants me to know. “I have good days and bad days. Today’s somewhere in the middle. And I told you, I didn’t want you fussing over this until there was something to fuss about. You’ll forgive me one day.”

“I’ve already forgiven you.” I climb onto his bed and crawl into his arms, his warmth comforting. Closing my eyes, I pretend for a moment he’s not sick, but his shallow breathing forces me back to reality. “I’m scared,” I whisper, kissing his hand.

“Me, too, Aubs. We’ll figure it out.”

“We’re all in this together.” I turn my head in the direction of the strong, sexy voice, locking on a pair of ice-blue eyes I’d recognise anywhere. My heart pounds as I take the rest of him in, my eyes travelling over his long, muscular frame. He leans casually against the wall, his hands shoved in the pockets of his faded jeans. He smiles at me, and I suddenly feel like I’m twelve years old again, yearning for a boy who can never love me back.

“Hey, Andrew,” I stutter, scurrying off the bed. “It’s been a while.”

“I’d say so. It’s Drew now.” He lets out a low whistle and shakes his head. “Little Aubrey is all grown up,” he drawls, and the pure sex oozing off his voice is almost enough to take out my knees. The only thing saving me is my sick brother lying down on the bed next to me.

“I’m getting there,” I mumble, my mouth dry. I can feel the heat in my cheeks as I continue to stare into his eyes. I try to look away, but it’s as if they have me captured in their depths. “Thanks for being here. It means a lot. There aren’t many childhood memories without you in them. It’s nice to see you’re still around pestering my brother.”

“Like I said, we’re in this together. The guys and I think we’ve found something, but it’s gonna take a little more research to see if we can pull it off. It’ll be a miracle, but it’s worth a shot.”

“If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know. I’m all about Team Max.”

“You guys do know Max is right here, right?”

“Oh shut up, ya big pussy. We know exactly where you are. Just sit back and let us handle this, okay?” Drew orders.

“Yeah,” I chime in. “Let us take care of you for a change, you big pussy.” I stutter on the word pussy, the feeling I did something wrong hitting me like a bag of bricks. The last time I was here, I was just a child. Now, I’m standing in my brother’s room, calling him a pussy, no less. Times sure have changed.

Max rolls his eyes in true Max fashion and flicks on the TV, ignoring both Drew and me. Drew moves closer toward the bed and stops at the end, playfully slapping Max’s foot.

“How’s Emma?” I ask him. I feel awkward even asking, considering how I just dropped all contact with her. I hadn’t even meant to do it, but after everything that was happening in my life…I sigh. I can’t even admit the truth to myself. I cut her out because the reminder of Drew was too much to cope with.

“She’s good. She’s rapt you’re back, Aubs. She missed you. We all did.”

The heat in my cheeks starts up again. He missed me. Like a friend. The only way you can miss your best mate’s little sister.

“I’ve gotta get going. The guys are waiting.” Drew turns to me. “I’ll catch up with you later. Text me your number on Max’s phone, so I can pass it on to Em.”

“I’m gonna leave you, too,” I say to Max. “I’m going to unpack and come back after I rest a little. The flight was brutal, and I still haven’t gotten over the fact I left on Sunday, and now it’s Tuesday.” I give Max a quick kiss on the head as he turns to Drew.

“All right, mate, I’ll see you soon. Maybe next time I’ll be able to stomach a drink.” He smiles, his eyes exhausted. “Last round of chemo was yesterday. Soon enough I’ll be able to throw a few back with you guys. The one upside to this, I guess.”

Drew makes his way to me and throws me into a hug. Caught off guard, I awkwardly hug him back, trying not to cringe as he makes no attempts to hide the fact he’s checking me out.

“Little Aubs … all grown up,” he mutters again, shaking his head. He gives me a sly grin and makes his way out the door. I’m both thrilled and embarrassed by his reaction to seeing me.