27
FLEX
HAMMER
Once Charlie leaves, I tell Zeke I understand if he wants to head off, too. He says he doesn’t mind hanging out.
Reckon we’re both circling around what we really want.
‘So …’ Zeke says, crumpling his vodka pre-mix can in a finishing gesture.
He has this coy smile, like he’s scared of being in the same space as me, but he also likes it. I have this image of me grabbing him by the back of the head and putting him in a headlock like I used to in the locker room. Why did I enjoy that so much?
‘Should we …?’ Zeke goes on.
My tired grey matter is all panicked about what will happen next, and I chicken out.
‘Get a feed?’ I finish. ‘Yeah, bro, I’m fucken starving.’
A flicker of disappointment goes over Zeke’s face. A feed is defo not what he was about to suggest.
But he’s a polite little geek and he nods and gives me that cute smile again. ‘I had a burger a few hours ago, but I could go for something light …’
We head inside to the living room. I order us some Italian from Sopranos Restaurant around the corner. Zeke pretends to be planning on a salad and ends up getting spaghetti and meatballs. I get a veal parmigiana. We watch the footy on TV while we eat.
‘Now, this is more what I’d expect from a date with Hammer,’ Zeke says, leaning over my coffee table while he’s mopping up his bolognese with some crusty Italian bread. ‘Not Bilby’s onion rings in your brother’s ute.’
‘What was wrong with that? I liked that night.’ I nearly add that I still think of his cock when I eat onion rings, but that might make me sound like a weirdo with an onion ring fetish.
Zeke snorts. ‘Kade, you shot your load and bailed.’
I focus on the footy.
‘I’m not having a go at you,’ Zeke adds, sucking sauce off his finger. Does he want me to notice him doing that? He would look good sucking my cock. ‘We were both confused. Well, back then, we were …’
‘I still dunno, ay,’ I say. ‘About any of it.’
Zeke tears his last piece of tomato sauce–drenched bread in half. ‘Yeah, that tracks,’ he sighs.
I feel so stupid. Did I just torpedo anything happening between us tonight?
‘Are you gonna be okay?’ Zeke prods. ‘Charlie told me about last night – you wanted to …’
‘Yeah.’ I swallow. ‘I’m fine now. It just got on top of me.’
‘You could have called me anytime.’
‘I did. You didn’t answer. That’s why I drove over, and found you … like that.’
‘Right. I’m mortified you saw me like that. But thank you for calling the ambulance.’
I shrug. ‘No biggie. Just returning the favour.’
‘Huh?’
‘The drive-ins, down in Dongara. Remember? Back in the day. You helped me when I flipped out.’
‘Oh yeah …’ Zeke trails off. ‘Look, anyway, I’m here. As a mate. If you ever need.’
