Page 18 of Joey

Kole blew a raspberry. “Party poopers. Okay, fine. I’ll drink for the both of you.” He dragged Ethan into a hug and did the same for Joey before waving and starting his jog down the steps. Kole was used to the damn steps because he climbed them almost every night.

“You could’ve gone with him if you wanted to,” Ethan said, though he didn’t like the idea of it. He didn’t own Joey, so he couldn’t keep him by his side forever, as much as he seemed to want to.

“I’m not in the mood, to be honest.” Joey sighed, sliding his hands into his jeans pockets and facing the view again.

He didn’t say anything for a long while, but Ethan didn’t want to interrupt whatever musings he was having. The view can have that kind of effect on people, especially on a night like that where the moon was bright in the clear sky, the sea calm and the surroundings quiet.

“I own Life in Ink in London. We do tattoos for people from all walks of life, often travelling to wherever the person who wants work done is. It could be two miles down the road or two thousand miles on a plane.”

Ethan was gobsmacked. He hadn’t heard of the business, but he knew about tattoo artists who travelled because they’d had them stay at the hotel before, and he’d also heard about them through the gossip mills.

“Busy then,” Ethan finally said.

Joey glanced over his shoulder. “Extremely.”

“Where’s your favourite place you’ve visited?”

Joey turned back to the landscape spread out before them, and Ethan stepped close enough for their arms to touch.

“Italy. Absolutely stunning. My retirement plan.” Joey smirked.

“Sounds lovely. I’ve never been out of this country.” Ethan hummed. “Okay, yes, I have. But not since I was a teenager. My parents took us to France for a week every year during the summer. I stopped going when I finished school. Since then, I’ve not really wanted to go anywhere.” Not until now.

“France is nice, too.”

“Where’s the furthest you’ve had to travel for someone?” Ethan shivered, the sea air finally making itself known.

“California.”

Ethan gaped at him. “Seriously?” Joey nodded. “Don’t they have tattoo artists in America?” Ethan bit his lip. “Sorry, no offence intended. I know you’re great at your job.”

“How do you know?”

Ethan waved to Joey’s wrist. “You must be to be able to get those marks so well done on yourself.”

Joey chuckled. “It doesn’t take much to be able to tattoo.”

“You’re being modest. You have to be an artist to be able to tattoo.” Joey nodded. “Why don’t we head home?” Ethan murmured when Joey said nothing further.

“Race you to the bottom?” Joey said.

“No chance.” Ethan snorted. “I’d fall and break my neck.” Joey stared at him, and Ethan could see his face paling even in the weak light. He reached out and gripped Joey’s biceps. “What’s wrong?”

Joey licked his lips and opened his mouth, but no words came out. Instead, he panted as if he couldn’t get enough air, and Ethan settled him on the top step and pushed his head between his knees, keeping his hand on Joey’s nape and stroking his skin. What the hell? It must’ve been something Ethan said because there was nothing else around them. He thought back over his words.I’d fall and break my neck.Ethan frowned. Had something similar happened to someone Joey knew? Had Ethan inadvertently brought up the pain that Joey had been fighting hard to keep down?

“It’s okay, Joey. I’m here. I’m here.” He kept murmuring words over and over until Joey lifted his head.

“I’m sorry,” Joey whispered.

“You don’t need to be sorry. How are you feeling?”

“Tired.”

“I can imagine. Are you ready to head down? We can get a taxi home when we get to the bottom.”

Joey inhaled and stood slowly. Ethan stayed beside him and held onto him to make sure he was steady. He didn’t want Joey falling down the steps and hurting himself. Threading his fingers through Joey’s, he took them down the first few steps, Joey tightening his hold on Ethan’s hand more than he expected. There was a noticeable shake to it, which made Ethan hold tighter, too.

Ethan wanted—no, needed to know what was going on. He hated that Joey was streaked with pain at every turn. Even when he seemed to have fun, there was a telltale sign he was somewhere else in his mind. He couldn’t ask, though. All he could do was be here for when Joey wanted to open up.Ifhe wanted to open up.

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