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Joq sighed. “Yeah, maybe.”
“Yeah, definitely. Finn’s got a good eye for the game and even if we weren’t, you know,” George said as he moved away, “I’d be interested in what he thinks.”
“He should still tone it down,” Joq muttered.
George stopped in the doorway. “Christ, why?”
“’Cos you don’t want to be out!”
George recoiled. Like it’d never crossed his mind having his rookie moonshining all over him on national TV, while also taking his dick like a pro on a regular basis, could lead to that. And maybe it couldn’t, and maybe Joq was paranoid. But the something that bothered him was that Finn could go on national TV, have George’s back so thoroughly, and no one batted an eye.
“I really don’t think that’s gonna happen,” George said after a minute with quiet conviction. “I gotta… Don’t worry about that, alright?”
“I’m just trying to protect you,” Joq said and felt like he was lying.
“I know,” George nodded like he believed him. “I’ll talk to you later.”
And then he was gone.
Joq got ready for work, then sat at his desk. He didn’t have to be in for hours and it wasn’t busy with the team travelling. He could practically feel the USB stick taunting him, as if the little piece of plastic was imbued with every paranoid thought and possibility. It pissed him off no end and he really wanted to stop thinking about it—
His phone rang. George.
“Hello?”
“Hey,” George said, his voice clipped but not angry; he was in a hurry. “Just wanted to call before we left.”
“Oh, okay,” Joq leaned back in his chair, took a deep breath. “You good?”
“Yeah, all good. Just… thought that was kinda shitty this morning.”
“What was?”
“That conversation.”
“Yeah,” Joq breathed out. “Well, maybe I’m reading too much into it—
“You are.”
“But,” Joq went on forcefully, “I meant what I said, I’m just trying to protect you.”
Joq heard himself, knew it was a lie, and wondered why he was doubling down on it.
“And I appreciate it, but, and I can’t believe I’m the one saying it this time…”
Joq could practically see the smile in George’s voice—the small one, the old couple one that said it’s you and me and we’re in this together.
“But you’re being paranoid.”
Joq drummed his fingers on the desk. Actually, he was being ridiculous. Paranoid was putting it nicely. But he was beginning to feel like he was losing control, like he was slipping into saying things he wouldn’t have dreamed he’d say.
“Joq?”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m here, sorry.”
“Just, go have some fun while I’m away, okay?”
Joq snorted. He really didn’t feel like doing that.
