Operation Fake Relationship

“Well done.”

“Yes. It feels like quite an achievement.” He beamed.

Jackson wanted an excuse to chat to him a little more, and he had a feeling Reg would refuse help if it was offered, so he decided not to give him the choice. He’d noticed a drawer full of utensils when he’d helped clear away after lunch, so he got out another vegetable peeler and joined Reg at the island in the middle of the kitchen.

“Oh, thanks,” Reg said as Jackson picked up a potato. He looked a little surprised, but he didn’t object.

They worked in silence for a few minutes, until Reg asked, “So… you and Nick. Have you been together long?”

“Uh. Not that long really?” Jackson felt his cheeks heat. “Less than a year.”

“But you live together. Is that right?”

“We lived together anyway.” Inwardly, he was cursing Nick for putting him in this position. He hated lying and had always been fairly terrible at it. “We’ve been friends for a long time.” At least that much was true.

“That’s good. Sue and I were friends first too. I think it makes a solid basis for a relationship.”

“I’m sure it—I mean, yes. It absolutely does.”

“It’s good to see Nick looking happy.” Reg picked up another potato from the pile. “Well, if truth be told, it’s good to see him at all. I wasn’t sure he’d come.”

“He did need a bit of persuading.”

“So I heard.” Reg’s tone was serious. When Jackson chanced a sideways glance at him, his mouth was drawn down at the corners. “I’m glad he’s here, but I wish he’d let go of the past and relax a little.”

Jackson took a deep breath, hoping he wasn’t about to make an already tricky situation worse. “Reg, with respect, why don’t you try talking to him about it?” He bit back the urge to tell him he should apologise. “I know Nick, and he might be very good at holding a grudge, but he’s also good at giving people chances. He’s guarded, though, and he doesn’t trust people easily. So if you really want to fix things with him, you’ll need to make the first move.”

He stopped, heart beating fast.

Reg was silent for a long moment. “Thank you for your honesty,” he finally said. “And you’re right. I do need to talk to him. I know I was hard on him when he was young. I tried to push him into being someone he wasn’t, and all I succeeded in doing was driving him away.” He gave a dry huff of laughter that had no joy in it. “The irony is that he’s achieved so much, without any support from me. I’m so proud of him for the way he’s carved out his own path and done so well for himself.”

“You should tell him that,” Jackson said. “I think he’d like to hear it.”

“Yes. You’re right. I’ll talk to him when he gets back.” He put his peeler down and clapped Jackson on the shoulder. “Thanks, Jackson. You’re a good man.” He gave Jackson’s shoulder a quick squeeze as he added gruffly, “I’m glad Nick’s found someone like you.”

Complicated emotions rushed through Jackson: pride, guilt, and a wistful longing that almost choked him. “I’m lucky to have him,” he managed. In that moment he realised that he wished with all his heart that this pretence was the truth.

I’m in love with Nick. The realisation struck a blow to Jackson’s chest, stealing his breath. It was as though a lens had fallen into place and all his feelings suddenly slid into painfully clear focus. This wasn’t a crush. This was the real deal, only he hadn’t wanted to see it. Holy fucking shit. I’m in love with Nick and I had no idea.

He also had no idea what to do with the information now his unconscious mind had finally let it surface. So he picked up another potato and carried on peeling, wondering when exactly he had fallen in love with his best friend, and how he’d managed to hide it from himself for so long.

Jackson and Reg had finished peeling and chopping all the potatoes, then worked their way through the carrots, and were busy tackling a pile of Brussels sprouts when the sound of the back door alerted them to the walkers arriving home.

“The wanderers return,” Reg said lightly. “Did you have a nice walk?”

“Yes, it was lovely,” Sue replied. “Gosh! Haven’t you two been busy. Well done.”

“We went to the Pirate Tree,” Pete said. With his cheeks pink from the cold, he looked a lot brighter than he had before they’d left. “I can’t believe how good it’s looking. I thought it would have fallen apart by now.”

“I’ve been taking care of it,” Reg said. “I’ve fixed it up a few times over the years and treated the wood when it needed it.”