“I’ll meet you at the pub afterwards?”
“Sounds good. And maybe we’ll have something to celebrate with Ravi if he gets that job, and I’m definitely celebrating you sticking around.”
As they drank their coffee, Harvey couldn’t help smiling, after all he had a lot to be happy about these days.
The bar was hot and crowded, a small pub without any of the fanfare there’d been at the concert at the Enmore Theatre the couple of months previously. This was a local hotel where the band liked to hang out for a drink and HyperOctane, minus Parker whose stint with the band was now over, were performing an impromptu gig for the regulars. As Ravi stood with Harvey and Parker, screaming with the rest of the crowd, he couldn’t help but keep an eye on Harvey, looking for any sign he was upset at being down on the sticky carpet and not up on the stage. But he grinned and sang along, tapping to the beat on the table top. He’d gotten a positive report from the therapist today so it shouldn’t be long now until he could pick up the guitar again for a full performance, but in the meantime, Ravi was determined to make the most of having him close.
The band finished the set, the noise level dropping as piped music filled the room and Parker left them to go find Rafe. Ravi dropped back into his seat, warming when Harvey leaned to whisper in his ear. “I’m so proud of you getting the job.”
Ravi shrugged. “It was only an interstate transfer, but thanks. I’m just glad they made the decision today. It would have driven me crazy having to wait until next week to find out. This way I can start making plans.”
“Yeah? And what plans would those be?” Harvey asked, running a finger lightly along Ravi’s arm where it rested on the arm of the chair.
“Moving across the country takes a bit of effort, you know? Packing my stuff, finding a place to live, arranging furniture and utilities.”
Harvey frowned. “What are you talking about? You’ve got a place to live.”
Ravi’s heart stuttered. Was Harvey saying what he thought he was?
He been with Harvey pretty much full time since he’d arrived in Sydney two months ago and had loved every minute of it. They’d grown close and the attraction was there but deep inside the insecure part of himself doubted that it was real, that he and Harvey were meant to be together to have a real relationship. After all, Harvey was the lead guitarist of one of Australia’s top bands—he was so far out of Ravi’s league, he was in another stratosphere.
“I… ah…”
“Am I that bad a roomie?” Harvey laughed, then the smile left his face. “Actually, I’ve probably been a crap roommate. You’ve been looking after me, driving me around—”
“It’s not that. I’ve had a great time hanging out with you.”
“But?”
God, Ravi didn’t know where to start. Were he and Harvey even on the same page? What was Harvey offering? His spare room? A temporary home? Something more? Argh, he hated the uncertainty, and the fluttering in his stomach at the very idea of asking. But he took a deep breath, moving closer. “Are you asking me to move in? Like move in, move in?”
Harvey placed a hand on his arm, the touch grounding him. “Listen, I know things are moving fast, but I’d like to see where this goes, and I think you feel the same way. I’d love it if you’d stay, but if you want to get your own place, that’s fine too. We can take it as slow as you want. Friends first, then see what happens? And if you don’t want to move in long term, you’re welcome to stay as long as it takes for you to get settled. I’ll even give you a hand moving and that says a lot because I hate moving.”
Ravi smiled. “Doesn’t everyone?”
Parker arrived back at the table stopping further discussion on the topic. He put beers down on its damp surface before slipping back into his seat. Ravi sat up straight, pulling away from Harvey. There was more to be said, but they’d have time to finish their conversation later. He took the beer, raising the glass to tap against Harvey’s in a silent toast to their tenuous future. Who knew what would happen but whatever it was, it would be an adventure.
Parker clinked glasses with them both, then his phone beeped. He grabbed it from his pocket, looking at the screen before looking up with a grin on his face. “Hey, Harv. I didn’t want to say anything until I’d firmed up plans, but I just got some good news. Bo’s going to come to Sydney, too.”
Ravi’s gaze flicked to Harvey whose smile faltered as he stared at his brother. “He’s coming to visit?”
Parker shook his head. “He’s coming to live. He had to see if he could get a job over here, and an opportunity with an agency came up so it’s all systems go.”
“Oh, right,” Harvey said. “That’s great then. I bet you’re excited to have your other bestie here too.”
Harvey didn’t seem overly excited at the news, his expression no doubt mirroring Ravi’s although he had no idea why Harvey would look so reluctant at the news. For Ravi, the news of Bo’s impending arrival dampened his excitement—instead of basking in the idea of staying with Harvey, he couldn’t help but worry; worry that seeing Bo again would make all the feelings he had for Bo rise to the surface.Just when I was moving on.He sighed.
Before he had a chance to digest his feelings fully, Rafe arrived at the table, sweeping Parker up into a hug. Security guards stood a few metres away, and some of the pub patrons looked as if they wanted to approach but is seemed Rafe only had eyes for Parker. When they drew apart, they were holding hands, and something tugged in Ravi’s belly at the display of affection. He wished he felt that secure in his fledging relationship.
Rafe had dragged along Ralph, the guy who was playing guitar until Harvey was able to play again properly, Parker having happily given up the role, saying his short time in the spotlight was enough. Soon RG and Gibbo joined them, and the conversation level rose as the drinks flowed. Ravi sat back in his seat watching the interaction, a little out of his comfort zone. Who’d have thought he’d be at table in a pub in Sydney with HyperOctane?
More importantly, who’d have thought he’d be embarking on a relationship with Harvey ‘my-teenage-crush’ Shaw and that his ex… ex-something would become part of the picture?
Chapter Nine
BolovedlivinginSydney. Sure, it had only been a few weeks, but the harbour city was turning on the glorious early summer weather and he loved the hustle and bustle. The new job, even though it was an agency contract and not permanent, had turned out to be awesome, and he was settling in well. He loved the variety and he’d made some friends—thank God, because otherwise he’d go stir crazy. It was good to have places to go and people to see, outside of his shifts at the hospital, and he’d made the most of getting out and about.
But this evening he was free, and he’d promised Parker he’d stay in and have dinner with the boys.The boys.Fuck, he was dreading the meal. Maybe it wasn’t too late, and he could make up an excuse. An emergency at work? Overtime? A headache?
