Cupping his face, I say, “Hey, you’re okay.” He nods. But looks a little lost.
I drop down to his side. “Hey, talk to me.”
Sighing, he rolls over. “What happens when this is over? There’s one space, and we can’t both get it.”
“Hey, we leave that on the track, okay? We fight it out there, we do our best, and let the chips fall where they may, but the minute we’re away from the track, it’s just you and me. Deal?”
“You think it’s that easy?”
“If we make it that easy, yeah. We just have to be there for each other. On the track, we look after ourselves. But when we leave, we return to each other and leave it all there.”
“Okay,” he whispers out, but he doesn’t sound convinced. He looks down and frowns.
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
“Is… gay sex always this… dirty?”
I lean in and kiss him. “Only if you do it fucking right.” He laughs, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard him laugh before. I must frown, and he stops.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you laugh before, not like that. Not like you really meant it.”
He frowns back. “I don’t think I ever have.” A wave of sadness washes over me that it may not be all sunshine and roses for him.
“What are your family like?”
He shakes his head. “My parents… they have a plan. My father is grooming me to take over the business. My whole life is planned out for me; they’re never there, and I haven’t seen them in months.” He shrugs. “They were supposed to be at the awards night but went on vacation instead. The staff told me when I got home. What about your parents?”
“Well, you’ve met them. My dad, Derek… well, he’s not my real dad. He and Mum were together from when I was two till I was about nine. When they broke up, he just kept showing up, though. They’ve just told me before I came here that they’re back together and they’re getting married. I’m so freaking happy.”
“Wait, he’s not your real dad?”
“No. Well, yeah, he is, but not biologically. But he always says he chose me as a son, so it’s better.” I smile. “Honestly, it really is. He chose to hang around for me, and he kept showing up. I work for him at the garage.”
“I thought you worked at the supermarket?”
“I do. Well, did. I lost my job because I was coming here, but I’ve been working with Dad since I was little. He used to pick Jay and me up from school and take us to the garage when Mum or Jay’s mum couldn’t look after us.”
“Jay? How long have you known each other?”
“He’s been my best friend since the day we met. First day at pre-school, we were inseparable and have been ever since.”
“Is he gay?”
I burst out laughing. “Nah, Jay is not gay. He’s straight.”
“Oh, I thought…”
“Nah, he was just winding you up.” I laugh.
“Have you two ever…?” He trails off, and I laugh again.
“I had a crush on him when we were younger, and I tried to kiss him. We were like thirteen. He pushed me away, told me he liked pussy, and although I was behaving like one, he still wouldn’t fuck me.”
“Damn.”
“I know. Harsh, right? But I love him. He’s been by my side through everything.” I shrug. “He’s family.”
