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Joq didn’t know how to explain why he was so mad without saying something that would put ideas in George’s head. Ideas Joq was afraid would lead George straight to Finn.
“Just, I’m gonna be late,” he shook his head. Then he met George’s bewildered expression. “Just, twelve years is not nothing, you know.”
George sucked in a breath like he couldn’t believe what Joq was saying.
“I know,” George said. “But what’s that got to do with anything?”
It was Joq’s turn to give him an incredulous look. “A phone call. I think it means I deserve a phone call if you’re not coming home.”
Well, that was a tiny part of it.
George nodded, chastised. “You’re right, I’m sorry. I was just, he was—
“It’s fine!” Joq cut him off.
George stopped, startled.
“It’s fine. I gotta go. See you tonight.”
Joq was turning and heading for the door, but he heard George calling after him just fine.
“Okay, but I might not be here, but I’ll call…”
Joq slammed the door on his way out.
Fuck.
20
Finn had a concussion and wouldn’t travel with the team that weekend to Queensland.
“He’s pretty down about it, was gonna make his own way back after going home, seeing his family, his dog…” George trailed off. Probably because Joq was not doing a great job of keeping the ‘I don’t give a flying fuck!’ look off his face whenever George mentioned Finn’s condition.
Joq was in the living room, George was in the hall checking his pockets, his bag at his feet, ready to go meet the team and catch their flight.
“I’ll call when I get to the hotel,” George said.
“Okay,” Joq replied. He wasn’t going to offer to take him to the airport. They’d been tiptoeing around each other all week. Breaking routine without saying why seemed like a much safer option than sitting in the car together at the moment.
“Got any plans?” George asked.
Joq saw he was trying, saw he’d taken that remark about twelve years to heart. Joq decided that wasn’t nothing.
“Mum’s birthday,” Joq said.
“Oh, shit. Well, here, let me,” George was reaching for his wallet.
Joq held up his hand with a smile. “I already got it. Your name’s on the card.”
“Shit, thanks, babe,” George smiled. “Sorry, been a bit distracted—
“It’s fine,” Joq said and got up. “Good luck. Shouldn’t be too hard to take Brisbane, yeah?”
George slid his arms around Joq’s waist and tugged him in once Joq was in front of him.
“Don’t jinx it,” he said into the crook of Joq’s shoulder and neck.
Joq huffed a laugh, turned his head. George met him with a firm kiss.
