“What are you thinking?”He maneuvers his body to face me and opens his laptop up again.
“I've got a few ideas.I would like him to take the season off and focus on his mum, but I think he likes having work be a little bit of a distraction, or normality in his life, with his mum’s condition being volatile.”
“Makes sense.”
“The next idea is to have him job-share, but I want him to really communicate and rely on the other person.And I want to find someone who could facilitate supporting him in that way.I know we don’t have anyone who is egocentric on our teams, but I want them to be aware of the commitment I’m expecting from them.Louie knows I'm thinking of someone across the sports who would be the best fit.I also have to think of someone to fill in during the parental leave period for Jack and Adrian.If you have anyone in mind who you think could step up to that challenge.”
“I was thinking about this when you mentioned it the other day.I think I have two people who would be a good fit across both roles.One is on the motorcycle team and one on the enduro team.Leniece and Mitch.”
“I’ve heard Riley talking about Mitch.”
“How do you want to approach this?Get Brax on board first and then approach Mitch and Leni, or vice versa?”
“I think getting Brax on board first would be better and then see if they would like to come across.Not fair to dangle an opportunity in front of them and then take it away from them if Brax isn’t keen on it.”
“Definitely agree.Then we need to work on some plans for that knock-on effect.Probably good to work on this during this season break.”
“You know I love to forward plan.”
“That I do.”He flashes a smile at me, and I.Am.Floored.
We spend the afternoon working out succession plans for a few of our mechanical team members who we believe are ready for the challenge, are knowledgeable and flexible to move across the sports.Outlining training and support for them across the sports and where they will fit the best.All ready and prepared to discuss it with Brax when he arrives tomorrow.
Koby walks the stairs behind me at the end of the day, holding our laptops and there in case I slip.Despite the bruise getting the full ice and rest treatment, the leg area is still swollen from the impact, so I'm stiff and sore still, therefore slow ascending the stairs.
Getting to the landing and making my way to my door, Koby hands me my laptop.
“Thank you.”I take the laptop from his outstretched hand, my fingertips brushing against his in the exchange.Electricity shoots up my arm.I linger.Swaying towards him.Willing him to dip down and brush his lips against mine.Feel the burn his hands made on my calf across my whole body.
Stepping backwards, his hand slips out of my reach.The heat from his body, replaced by the cool breeze of the air conditioner.
“Okay…ahhh…efficient work today.Goodnight.”And he disappears.
Leaving me feeling even more foolish than when I fell down the gutter.This is lower than the gutter.
My alarm goes off.Not that I needed it.I’ve been up for hours.Lying in bed, surrounded by existential dread and mortification, and picking so much skin off the sides of my thumbs, they are raw and sore.Gotta love that nervous energy habit.
Okay.New day, new outlook.
Denial.Denial.Denial.
Stop looking at Koby in any way other than that he is my friend.Nothing more.
Plus, I have Brax coming around today, and I want to make sure everything goes smoothly for him.No distracted thoughts.Full focus on Brax and how we can support him.
Patting myself down, I’m not nearly as damp as I normally am.And so it has been decreed: Today will be a good day.
Showering and sorting myself out before heading down.Koby tracks me down the stairs from his position in the kitchen.Standing at the kitchen island, buttering some toast to go with our eggs.
“Morning,” I chime.
“Good mornin’,” he drawls, with gravel in his morning voice.
Friend, friend, friend.
“How do you know when to make breakfast so it’s ready by the time I am down the stairs?”
“Impeccable timing.”The rakish half-smile pulls at his lips.
