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“They really liked him.”
“I’m happy for you, man.”
“Yeah,” I echo. “So happy.”
JD shrugs, but I know he was worried about how his parents would react to meeting one of his boyfriends for the first time. It’s one thing to accept your son’s sexuality, but another thing to see it.
“We’ll have to find some time for the six of us to get away for a camping trip after exams before Hannah and I leave.” I shove a handful of chips in my mouth.
“So, it’s official then?” Macca asks. “You’ve booked?”
I nod. “Yeah, we went in earlier this week and paid for our flight.”
JD leans up on his elbows. “When are you leaving?”
“We fly out the day after Boxing Day. So we’ll pretty much be working as much as we can leading up to Christmas. Our parents helped out with the flights as an early Christmas present, but we still need to have our spending money sorted for when we apply for our visas. We’re going to get all that organised when school’s out in a couple of weeks.”
“I’m so jealous. You guys are gonna be off travelling the world while we’re stuck here at uni.” Macca shakes his head. “Lucky bastard.”
“Yeah.” I force a smile. As much as I can’t wait to go overseas with Hannah, I’d still rather be playing footy at an AFL club next year. “Speaking of, do you guys know where you’re going to apply for next year?”
My friends started rattling off the degrees at the different universities they are applying at, and I find my mind drifting back to footy. What I wouldn’t give to be running out on the field this weekend’s final, a Sherrin in my hands. I still miss it every day. While the blackouts have stopped, I still get the occasional headache. It’s a constant reminder I can’t do what I love anymore. It sucks. I want to be there for my best mate and support him, but it kills me I can’t be out there with him.
46
The first day of the school holidays is Grand Final day. Lakewood Under 19s are playing Bridgeport. Oliver’s team versus Joel’s team. The irony is not lost on anyone. I lay on Oliver’s bed reading a book and listening to music while he’s out for a run. I sense someone is watching me, and I look up and smile at him as he stands in the doorway to his bedroom, slick with sweat.
“Old school Taylor Swift?” He chuckles and heat spreads over my cheeks. “I love it. What’s this song?”
“Our Song,”I say, placing my book down next to me.
“I like that.” Oliver grins. He crosses the room and leans down to kiss me.
I laugh, shoving him away. “You need a shower!”
A smirk spreads over his face, and the bed dips as he climbs over the top of me, leaning his body weight on his arms so he doesn’t squash me.
“What’s the point?” he asks, nuzzling his head into my shoulder. “I’m only going to get even more sweaty straight after when I have my way with you.”
“Oli!” I swat him, heat flushing my cheeks. I squirm a little to try and get out of his embrace, but he holds me tight. I give up, pressing my lips to his. “You’re seriously gross, you know that?”
“I know.” He laughs. “But you still love me.”
I roll my eyes. Oliver kisses me again before climbing off me and the bed. He strips out of his sweaty t-shirt and tosses it over his shoulder.
“I’m going to have a shower, and then maybe you can drive us to the footy?”
I sit up. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” He balls up his dirty socks and throws them at me with another lop-sided grin, laughing when I shriek. “I didn’t say anything to you because I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to or not, but Eric and I spoke about it earlier this week. I need to go today. Not just for me, but for my mates as well. I owe it to them.”
“And you’re okay going in a car with me?” I narrow my eyes at him. “It’s not a short trip around Lakewood. It’s forty minutes to get to Geelong.”
“I trust you.”
I climb off the bed to stand in front of him, wrapping my arms around his waist. “Today’s not going to be easy for you.” I rest my head on his sweaty naked chest. “But I’m here, no matter what you need.”
“I know you are.” He rests his chin on top of my head.
