Page 158 of Everything That Kills Me
“Ah. Thomas is your father?”
“You are so quick!”
“Not always a good thing.”
Zeph mock-glared.
“Want to try and prove me wrong?” Jack asked.
“Let me just go to the bathroom for a minute.” Zeph threw off the covers.
Jack pulled them back. “No cheating.” He slid down the bed and took Zeph in his mouth.
“Don’t you dare time me,” Zeph gasped.
Because they were going travelling for a year, Zeph wanted to say goodbye to Martin and Paulo before they went, and he wanted Jack to go with him.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Jack asked, not for the first time though using different words, as they drove to Martin and Paulo’s house.
“I can’t just disappear without saying anything, can I?” Zeph winced. “Well, I could but I won’t. It will be fine.”
It wouldn’t be fine and Jack would accept the criticism about disappearing without saying anything. Zeph hadn’t yet told his uncle he’d quit his job, so that announcement, along with telling them he was going travelling with a guy who’d walked out of his life far too many times wasn’t likely to go down well.
Jack had never met Martin and Paulo though he’d seen the pair when he’d been to the hospital to check on Zeph, and also spotted them on the day of Zeph’s graduation. He was fairlysure they’d try to persuade Zeph back into his job, let alone out of embarking on something so reckless as a round the world trip with a guy who couldn’t be trusted not to leave him in the middle of the fucking Gobi Desert.
“One thing I wanted to remind you of before we get there is…” Zeph stopped talking.
“What?”
“I shouldn’t have to say anything and I don’t think you’d dream of making a comment, but I want you to like them as much as I do and…”
“What?” Jack repeated.
“Remember Martin is trans.”
“I remember. He’s your uncle and he loves you. I don’t care if he’s a rhinoceros.”
“Did you know rhino mothers are some of the best in the animal kingdom? They’re fiercely protective.”
“And this is why I’m worried about meeting him and Paulo.”
“You’ll be fine.”
Martin opened the front door as they approached and he and his partner wrapped their arms around Zeph.
“This is Jack.” Zeph caught his arm and pulled him forward. “If he hadn’t had to leave Middleton when he was sixteen, I wouldn’t have come to live with you, so be nice. Please.”
Jack mentally winced as he held out his hand, only to find himself pulled into their embrace. Briefly.
“Finally, we get to meet you.” Martin’s gaze wasn’t entirely friendly and somehow Jack was okay with that.
Once they were sitting in the living room/kitchen, and coffee and biscuits had been offered, Zeph took hold of Jack’s hand and said, “I have something to tell you.”
Paulo grasped Martin’s hand and they glanced at each other.
I’ve quit my job,” Zeph said.
Both men sagged but Jack registered it was with relief. Had Zeph?
