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He sighed sadly. “Does he... does he know you like men?”
“That I’m gay? Yes. It ranks about fourth on the list of disappointments.”
“Only fourth?”
I counted on my fingers. “Number one disappointment is my chosen profession. Number two is that I support Essendon football. Number three is that I don’t support Richmond. Number four is I’m gay.”
Tully chuckled. “Football, huh?”
“Yes. The one and only thing he will watch on TV is the AFL. He goes to all the games, wears the guernsey and beanie, scarf, the whole thing.” I shook my head. “I’m not even that much of a football fan to begin with, to be honest.”
“Why Essendon and not Richmond like your dad?”
“When I was about fifteen, he made me go to a game. Essendon against Richmond. I didn’t want to go, made a point of taking a book instead, scowled at everything and everyone, like a typical teen.” I rolled my eyes at myself. “Of course we were right up close, by the locker room tunnel. And then I noticed the players.”
He grinned at that. “Ohhh. Younoticedthe players.”
“Oh yes. It was quite the sexual awakening, seeing them so up close in those tight uniforms, all sweaty and touching each other. One of the players smiled at me as he ran off after the game, and I almost expired on the spot. I’ve been a loyal Essendon fan ever since.”
Tully laughed. “That’s poetic.”
“My father didn’t think so.” We stared at each other for a long second, both of us almost smiling. “Your parents know you’re... bisexual?”
“Sure,” he said, waving me off. “Being bisexual made no difference. I mean, out of four kids, they got three straighties and me. Statistically speaking, it was bound to happen. And like I told you already, I’m the baby; the spoiled one. I can do or be whatever and get away with it. Growing up, my eldest brother would get mad because ‘oh, the spoiled baby can do whatever he wants’ and I’d just laugh and be like ‘hell yes, I can, sucks to be you.’” He shrugged with a laugh. “It’s the card I was dealt. I use it all the time.”
“You have no responsibilities at all?”
“Sure I do. I have bills and a home loan. I have a uni degree I’m still paying off, just like everyone else. I work full-time, and I’m good at what I do. I just choose to do this in my vacation time. You see me here, wearing shorts, no shirt or shoes, and think I live like this. But I don’t.” He leaned in a whispered like it was a national secret. “I even wear a suit to work.”
That made me smile. “I can’t imagine it.”
Which was a lie because I was imagining it right now...
“Well, suit pants, shirt, and tie. It’s too hot for a jacket. It’s Darwin, after all.” He winked. “But some days if I’m just at the office and don’t actually have to see people, I can get away with some nice shorts and a company polo shirt. But this?” he gestured to his half naked body. “This is my preferred uniform.”
“It suits you.”
That cocky smirk was back. “What about you? Please tell me you wear a white lab coat to work.”
I snorted. “Why would I wear one of those?”
“Just let me have the fantasy, okay? You would totally rock up in a white lab coat, looking all smart and sexy, studying your data under a microscope.”
“I think you have a seriously misconstrued perception about what I actually do for a job.”
He laughed. “Let me have the fantasy, Jeremiah. You’re not playing the game properly.”
I sighed. “Okay, yes. I wear a white lab coat and study data... under a micro... scope.”
Tully laughed, his grin wide. “I’m totally picturing it now. Are you naked under the lab coat?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Jeremiah.”
“Okay, yes, I’m totally naked. Which would be a violation of almost every occupational health and safety code, but sure. Yes, let’s pretend I’m naked.”
His eyes did that shining thing when he smiled, which I didn’t hate so much anymore. “This is fun. Is there a desk or workstation with computers and shit that you could fuck me on?”
