Unknown Number Page 10

  (00:58) Was it worth it?

  (1:02) Perhaps.

  (1:06) Would you like to know how it ends?

  (1:07) Please?

  (1:12) He cast the cowherd into the stars and his own daughter, Chih-nii, into the other.

  (1:14) Between them, he created the Heavenly River –now known as the Milky way –forever keeping them apart.

  (1:17) They only get to see one another once a year, when the stars align just right, and they can look into one another’s eyes.

  (1:21) Wow … Lucas that was beautiful.

  (1:22) Where did you learn this from?

  (1:26) I like all forms of history, Cavan. Myths and legends are a part of that, despite what people like to tell themselves.

  (1:29) I just didn’t really take you for a romantic sort.

  (1:34) I have my moments. Just wanted to make up for being snappy earlier.

  (1:37) Oh right. That. What happened in the end?

  (1:42) They ended up ordering take-away and trying to guess how you looked, what we were doing and also trying to help me plan the ‘perfect date’.

  (1:49) Woah … Your friends have no boundaries, do they?

  (1:51) Not a single one.

  (1:55) So how do they think I look, then???

  (1:56) Fishing much?

  (1:59) No, honestly! I always find it funny when people try and guess how I look. They’re almost always wrong.

  (2:03) For some reason they seem to think you’re blonde.

  (2:05) Ha! Already wrong! They must have banked on the whole German thing.

  (2:08) Yeah I figured. You don’t SOUND blonde.

  (2:11) Not a fan of blonde people then???

  (2:14) Not hugely, no.

  (2:17) Ah good. Then you won’t go running off with Arthur then. He’s bright blonde!

  (2:20) Definitely need new sunglasses.

  (2:24) Haha! What eeeeelse?

  (2:28) The whole average height, blue eyes, broad shoulders crap.

  (2:34) Ew none of those things!

  (2:37) How do YOU think I look?

  (2:43) I figured you had darker hair, dark eyes, athletic enough to not be overly muscled.

  (2:50) Damn you for being such a smartie pants!

  (2:53) I was right?

  (2:54) Mostly.

  (2:58) What did I get wrong?

  (3:03) My eyes are green.

  (3:05) Oh really? You know green eyes are rare? Only about 2% of the population has them.

  (3:07) See? Aren’t you lucky you landed such a gem???

  (3:10) Not really. That’s still about 150million odd people.

  (3:14) Wow, you really do love these back-handed compliments.

  (3:18) It’s called flirting and I’ll admit I’m a little rusty.

  (3:22) How rusty is ‘a little’?

  (3:26) Well it’s been 5 years since my last date so –A lot rusty.

  (3:33) Okay now we HAVE to do something during the day!

  (3:36) It doesn’t have to be anything extreme. I’m coming to London to see you. That’s it.

  (3:40) I’ll look at things to do anyway :)

  (3:44) Get some sleep, kid.

  (3:48) Fiiine. Night Lucas.

  (3:51) Night Brat.

  ~0~

  Wednesday PM

  (14:35) So how nervous are you? Less than a week away.

  (14:38) I know! Sophie and Arthur keep teasing me about it whenever they get a chance!

  (14:42) I am pretty nervous about it. But –a good kind of nervous.

  (14:48) Good. Me too.

  (14:53) Have you talked to your parents about it?

  (14:59) No … They’d just worry.

  (15:03) Cavan it’s not wise to not tell your parents where you’re going.

  (15:09) Okay DAD. I’ve told them I’m going up London with Arthur. We already dropped Sophie off Monday for her to get the coach to Dover.

  (15:14) And does Arthur know that you’re using him as a cover?

  (15:18) Yeees.

  (15:21) He understands why and says he can cover for me if my mum calls him for whatever reason.

  (15:25) Is that likely to happen?

  (15:28) Only in an emergency.

  (15:33) Well let’s hope that doesn’t happen.

  (15:36) God I don’t remember the last time I was this excited!

  (15:40) Let’s just hope you don’t see me, freak out, and run for the next train home.

  (15:45) I’m not rude! Gosh!

  (15:49) Such a little charmer, aren’t you?

  (15:55) Bugger.

  (15:58) Just got home and mum tells me it’s my turn to cook dinner.

  (16:03) You cook?

  (16:07) I can cook enough to live well by, if that’s any good?

  (16:13) Well, if next Tuesday goes well then maybe I can teach you something some time.

  (16:16) I promise not to burn down your kitchen!

  (16:20) That doesn’t fill me with confidence, kid.

  ~

  (19:24) [CAVAN SENT A .JPEG] Voila! Proof I can cook!

  (19:37) Goddamn, kid, that looks good. Now my left-overs are looking pretty sad.

  (19:42) I promise, I’ll cook for you sometime with my menial skills.

  (19:47) And I will show you a meal you will never forget … sometime.

  (19:50) Lucas?

  (19:54) Yes, Cavan?

  (19:58) Make Tuesday come quicker?

  (20:03) I wish I could. Now go away and eat that gorgeous food.

  (20:07) I’ll stay here with Jack.

  (20:11) Which one are you on right now?

  (20:15) One Shot.

  (20:17) I’m going to get emotional aren’t I?

  (20:19) Spoilers! ;)

  Thursday AM

  (00:57) I HATE YOU!

  (1:12) M’sleeping.

  (1:26) WHY DIDN’T YOU WARN ME?

  (1:28) Cause I’m sleeping?

  (1:34) HOW COULD YOU NOT TELL ME THAT SOMEONE SET THE SNIPER UP?! That’s something you warn a guy about!

  (1:45) … Then you’re really not going to like 61 hours.

  (1:56) What’s going to happen in 61 Hours, Cavan?

  (2:04) You can’t just warn a guy and then fall asleep.

  (2:10) Cavan?

  (2:17) You suck, brat.

  ~

  (3:14) OMG THEY FAKED THE TARGET PAPER’S?! THAT IS SO UNETHICAL!

  ~

  (4:56) Russian gangs? Really? Isn’t that just the biggest trope for America city crime ever? It’s like every stop could be ‘Mystery shooter in (enter cities name here) and it turns out it was someone hired through a long chain of people that eventually leads back to some Russian gang!) I feel a little disappointed.

  ~

  (10:00) Do I even want to know what time you made it to bed last night?

  (10:35) Cavan … I did something bad.

  (10:39) Worse than throwing Jack Reacher?

  (10:50) Worse.

  (10:59) Did you set Jack Reacher on fire?

  (11:35) Worse.

  (11:45) Lucas … What did you do?

  (12:06) I may have called in sick today and ordered ‘The Hard Way’ in Bonnie’s kindle. Have barely left my bed except to make tea. I’ve been reading whenever I’m conscious enough.

  (12:15) Lucas, I think we need to sit down and have a serious discussion about your obsession.

  (12:20) It was you.

  (12:23) YOU did this to me.

  (12:36) And I have absolutely no regrets ;)

  (12:41) … You are pure evil.

  (12:48) Now go away. Reading.

  (12:54) Anti-social.

  (12:58) Bratty shithead.

  ~0~

  Monday PM

  “Sooo,” Bonnie grinned leaning over the table on her elbows. “Tomorrow’s the big day at long last?”

  Lucas felt his cheeks heat up as he looked up to see both of his friends leering at him over the coffee table. He sat in a jumbo beanbag chair dealing out playing cards. They all had their
drinks and the TV had been turned right the way down.

  “Yes,” he said. “Tomorrow’s the day.”

  “Are you nervous?”

  “Of course I am,” he ground his back teeth, reshuffling the cards.

  Fletcher quirked a small smile. “You’ve been so uptight all weekend and all the late-night reading isn’t helping these,” he tapped under his eyes.

  Lucas raised his hand and tenderly touched at his skin. He hated having bags, but his sleeping habits had never been great. He was used to them. Since pulling an all-nighter on Thursday night, he had forced himself to sleep properly over the last few nights, purely, so he didn’t look his age.

  “Shut up,” he grumbled.

  Fletcher chuckled, moving to grab a bag of Doritos. Bonnie swatted his shoulder before turning her attention back to Lucas. “So, have you two discussed all the details?”

  “Yes,” Lucas said. “We’re meeting outside Charing Cross station at 11AM. Hopefully then we can enjoy a full day together.”

  “Are you worried that he might want to bail?”

  Glaring up at the redhead, Lucas took a long sip of his tea. “Isn’t everyone when they go on, what is basically, a blind date?”

  “Does Cavan think it’s a date?” Fletcher asked.

  “I’m not sure.”

  “Do you think it’s a date?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Then just think of it as you’re going to London to meet a new friend. Nothing more.” The blonde shrugged. “If you put too much pressure on this one meeting, it’s just going to fail before it starts.”

  Lucas glowered at them. “I thought you invited me here to play cards not to interrogate me.”

  “Oh, shut up, you grumpy sod!” Bonnie chimed. “Do you know how much whining we’ve had to put up with over the last few weeks?!”

  Another glare.

  “‘Oh, Bonnie what if he thinks I look weird!’, ‘Fletcher, is my cologne too potent?’” she teased. “You even asked Eleanor for advice!”

  “Why did I come here?” Lucas asked himself.

  “Cause you need help, mate,” Fletcher chuckled. “Besides, you’re going to panic until you meet him anyway. Might as well panic with friends.”

  “I can just leave,” he intoned.

  “You could,” Bonnie agreed. “However, then poor Cavan would lose out on social time with his friends and family because you can’t get over that one of Jack Reacher’s old army buddies died!”

  “Of course I freaked out! The guy is a longer, those guys were as close to family to him!”

  Bonnie raised a knowing eyebrow at him and sunk back in her armchair with a triumphant smirk. “I rest my case. You’re smitten.”

  “Fuck off, Red.”

  Bonnie accepted the cards he handed her, adjusting her position on the edge of her seat. “So, have you picked out your outfit for tomorrow?” she asked.

  Lucas narrowed his eyes, trying to determine whether she was mocking him or not. Her curious expression lifted some of the weight on his shoulders. “Yes. Sort of. The cold weather makes it easier to layer up without looking like a tit.”

  “What’re you going to wear?” Fletcher asked.

  “That blue blazer you guys got me for Christmas.”

  “It was for your birthday!” Bonnie stressed.

  “It’s the same thing and you know it.”

  Fletcher rolled his blue eyes. “You really going for that hot teacher vibe then?”

  Bonnie choked on her tea as she laughed. “Oh God! Fletcher, don’t tell me I’m going to lose you to a shorty in a blazer!”

  “I’m feeling attacked right now,” Lucas deadpanned. They started a game of ‘Go Fish’ just to warm themselves up. “So, seriously, do you think there are any subjects I should avoid?”

  “Has he mentioned anything bad?” Fletcher frowned.

  “Only about his sisters ex, Jordan? Although I don’t think that’s much of an issue for him.”

  “What about his parents?”

  Lucas cocked his head to the side. “He seems fine with his parents,” he stated. “He hasn’t told them that he’s coming to meet me, but I think he’ll probably tell them once we’ve met.”

  “Is that definite?” Bonnie frowned.

  “Well no,” he hedged. “His parents just seem like the over-protective type. His dad is a doctor so …”

  “I say just go with the flow,” Fletcher said reshuffling his hand. “Bonbon, do you have any four’s?”

  “Go Fish.”

  “What if it’s awkward?”

  “Then make it un-awkward.”

  “Okay, if you two are just going to make up words, then I don’t know why I bother coming to you for advice.”

  Bonnie and Fletcher shared a look before laughing. “Alright, alright we’ll stop teasing you,” she said with a smile. “It’s just adorable! We haven’t seen you in this state for ages! We’ve got years of pent-up teasing to get out.”

  “Can’t you wait until after I meet the kid?”

  Bonnie bit her lip and cocked her head to one side. “I’m sorry, Luc.”

  He shrugged a stiff shoulder. “It’s fine.”

  They continued to play, escalating from tame games to Cheat, Gin, and eventually Poker. They rarely played seeing as Lucas had the ‘ultimate poker face’. He couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride whenever they mentioned it. As they played, Lucas let his mind wander.