Reignition

By James Milne

When Ivan's closest friend asked a favour, he knew he had absolutely no choice in the matter. It being a roommate, was awkward, but he had to make it happen.

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Milne
• Release date: Jul 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215753811

Book preview

Reignition

James Milne

2023-07-08

Reignition

Reignition

Reignition

Cover

Table of contents

Reignition

* * *

Copyright (c) 2023 James Milne.

All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

* * *

Reignition

* * *

All characters depicted in this work of fiction are 18 years of age or older.

* * *

Reignition

You want this girl to stay with me? Ivan said into his phone.

You have that whole place to yourself. Harry replied, his voice scratching with static from the poor signal, You can’t make room for just one friend?

He gave a sigh, It’s a Lonsdale street apartment. I can shit into the toilet from my shower.

Doubt she wants to share the bathroom.

An apartment in Melbourne CBD is never very comfortable. They exist for the convenience of working, for those that never really want to go home. Fitting anything larger than a double bed wasn’t possible. Nor was it cheap.

Having anyone come and crash at his place wasn’t really something Ivan had ever done, because it was a single bedroom hole in the wall. Not something to celebrate and spin into a neighbourhood party.

Look, I promise you she isn’t a kid. She can take care of herself. Harry tried to encourage him, Besides, who doesn’t want a gal around the place? You gotta get a bit lonely.

I work. That’s enough for me.

Harry gave a heavy sigh, That’s really the point of it all, is it? … Look, just… Help her out, would you? I know she’s a stranger, but I owe her.

Ivan winced instantly. When it came to owing someone, he owed Harry more than he could ever reasonably repay. After their graduation, it was Harry who had kept him alive, after the car accident. Man’s hands on his chest, had been all that kept him around.

Not that Harry would ever bring it up.

Ivan fingered the scar on his chest, through his shirt, and gave a heavy sigh, Well, if she’s happy living with a total stranger, and a guy at that, I’ll try and make it work.

I promise you, Grace is an angel.

* * *

G-grace?

Two weeks after Harry’s call, Ivan found himself looking at a young woman on his doorstep. She was towing a travel bag that was bright pink, and featured a unicorn, but her outfit was more fitting to her age.

A short black skirt, featuring an edge of roses. A grey pullover hoodie with a picture of a metal band, drinking something out of skulls. Lace-up boots that went all the way up to her knees.

Her hair was also dyed black, with a left fringe of purple. But seeing her green eyes, he remembered the hair being blonde. He remembered her grinning with a lopsided tooth, even though it was now straight. Same grin, but dentist’s had been at it.

She was grinning that grin, right now. Oh. My. God! Ivy? Holy shit! Ivy!

It’s Ivan. He winced at her childhood nickname for him, but stepped back from the door to let her in.

Instead of going by, though, she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged in tight. He smelled blackberries. Thankyou, so much, Ivy.

Grace leaned back, shook her head with a grin, and then walked her case into the tiny apartment. She leaned it up against the wall, and spun around with a flaring of her skirt. Holy shit. Guess we’re both friends with ol’ Harry, then?

Met him at uni. We were… Trouble. Ivan said, How’d you meet him?

One of those troublesome nights. She snorted, Wow. My childhood boyfriend, all mine again. You better not get any ideas.

No ideas. Ivan held up his hands nervously.

Grace gave a chuckle, but it seemed almost forced. Like she was building up her courage.

The two of them were in the main part of the apartment. Half of the open space