Page 161 of Waiting for Ru
Epilogue
Two years later
JASIM WAS IN awe of his boyfriend. Ru had passed five GCSEs with top grades while studying for a level-three diploma to be an equine nurse and passed that with honours. Technically, it was against the rules to have even applied before he had the necessary qualifications, but Leigh had persuaded the powers that be to make an exception because of Ru’s exceptional circumstances. Ru had attended college part-time, worked at Leigh’s veterinary practice, helped at Benning Parkandbecome a formidable polo player. He was the best person that Jasim had ever met. He loved Ru so much it physically hurt.
He sat watching him now, playing for an amateur team, as number Three, the play maker. Leigh and Newt were watching too. The score was 21-4 to Ru’s team, The Otters. Jasim had laughed at the name and he’d had to explain why to Ru, because Ru might be lean, but he wasn’t hairy.
“It’s The Otters because we’re slick and speedy,” Ru had said in a huff.
Theywereslick and speedy. They’d just scored another goal, set up by Ru.
“He’s very good,” Leigh said.
“Nothing like an otter,” Newt said.
Jasim groaned. “Don’t tell him that. He had no idea what it meant in gay terms.”
“What’s the next step?” Leigh asked.
Jasim shrugged but he had a plan in mind.
“He can have a job at our place,” Leigh said. “He’s the best student we’ve ever had. He knows as much as I do about some things and he has a pair of hands that anyone would be lucky to have working for them.”
“Have you offered him a job?”
“Yes, but he said he wanted to talk to you.”
It hadn’t been easy for either him or Ru while Ru commuted between Benning Park, college and Leigh’s practice. Long, difficult hours and then having to study in the evenings. Jasim had spent time away in England and abroad with The Eagles when he’d have liked Ru with him, but it just hadn’t been practical.
“That’s it. Another win,” Newt said.
The three of them pushed to their feet and headed down to the horsebox where they’d meet Ru.
Ru dismounted from Joni, pulled off his helmet and dragged his fingers through his hair when he saw them coming. It was dark again now, his natural colour.
“Well done.” Jasim pulled him into his arms and hugged him.
Leigh and Newt did the same.
“Thanks for coming to watch, you two,” Ru said. “Jasim has no choice but…”
“Jasim promised us dinner, otherwise…” Newt shrugged.
Leigh elbowed him. “You know that’s not why we came.”
Ru laughed. “Let me make sure the ponies are okay and then I can go.”
He walked away and Jasim’s gaze slid to his arse as it so often did.
“You want to head to Benning Park? I’ll wait for Ru,” Jasim said.
“We brought our swimming gear.” Leigh smiled.
“I need to blow up Leigh’s inflatable whale though.”
Leigh rolled his eyes.
“It was a present,” Newt said. “Apparently, you can ride him in the pool and make the water spurt out of his—”
