Page 59 of The Fly-Half

“Er, Under Sixteens,” Jonny said. “And I don’t know when it was. I didn’t exactly make a note of it.”

I rolled my eyes fondly. “Okay then,whydid you try and punch him?”

“Because I was jealous,” he said quietly, looking down at his feet, hands interlaced and elbows on his knees. “He kept going around telling people he was your best mate and shit, I don’t know, it got to me. It was stupid really, especially looking back on it. Like why the hell did I get so worked up? But teenagers, I guess. I’d totally forgotten all about it until Aiden brought it up.”

“Why did he?”

“Well, I told him we were dating, and, er, he wasn’t surprised.” Jonny twisted his head and grinned at me, the corner of his mouth curling.

“Really?”

“Yeah, he said he knew I’d fancied you for years, but he didn’t tell me because he knew I wouldn’t listen—which I think is kinda bollocks but—”

“Do you? Do you really?” I asked, nudging him with my knee again. The changing room was starting to empty around us and I knew we had about two minutes before someone came and fished us out. But we could keep talking. It would just have to be between sets and drills.

Or maybe later, over dinner.

Maybe one day we should actually try going out for dinner. Like some sort of date.

“I don’t know, maybe?”

“And it didn’t take Mason and West doing whatever they did to make you see sense?” I asked with a laugh, watching as Jonny rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, yeah, all right, point proven.” He nudged me back. “Anyway, Aiden said I’ve always had issues with jealousy around you. I’ve just never noticed it before. But I managed to get past it before, so I guess I can do it again.” He stood and stretched, offering me his hand. I took it and climbed to my feet, frowning as I did.

“You said you got past it… but it wasn’t because I left, was it?”

“No,” he said. “I don’t think so anyway. That wasn’t until we were eighteen, so I must have gotten over it before that or I’d never have made it this far. Not if I was being a prick.”

“So you know you did, but you don’t know how?”

“Yeah.” He grinned and shrugged, but there was something in his eyes that didn’t quite match the rest of his face. Like he was trying to pretend everything was okay when it wasn’t. “It’ll be okay, though. I know it’s an issue now, so at least I’m aware of it. And maybe I’ll take Clive up on the offer to talk to someone.”

“Okay, sounds good,” I said. I was still holding his hand and I squeezed it tightly. “But you do know you can talk to metoo, right? This isn’t all on you. We’re in this together and not just because we’re teammates. I… you’re my boyfriend, Jonny, and my best friend, and I’m not letting you deal with this by yourself.”

“I know, and I promise it’ll be fine.” He leant down and kissed my cheek. “We should get going before we get yelled at. Also I need to talk to Mason about Aiden coming so I can get the spare room sorted and maybe organise that night out. Ryan said they’re doing a club night after the show and maybe we could see if anyone else wants to come? Maybe a team night out? I know it’s not usually our sort of thing, but if we organise it, then it will be.”

“Take the whole team to a gay bar? You know they’ll get eaten alive.”

He snorted. “I don’t know. I think quite a few of them would like that. Maybe Mason and I aren’t the only ones who’re oblivious.”

I thought about some of the team as we walked towards the changing room door, our fingers still laced together.

He was probably right.

The rest of training passed as usual, and I finished up the day with a sports massage that reduced my legs to jelly as Donna worked out all the knots in my legs and ass, digging her fingers and elbows into my muscles. It was painful as fuck and more than once I squeaked and swore.

Donna was used to it, though, and was kind enough to ignore my whining. She was good at knowing when we were in actual pain and there were problems and when we were only complaining. It was funny—most of us didn’t think twice aboutthrowing ourselves across the pitch, pushing ourselves harder and faster with every match and training session, or breaking bones, but someone gently poking a knot in our muscles was enough to have half the team in agony.

Afterwards, I went back to my flat, since Jonny had D&D, and collapsed onto the sofa, telling myself I’d only sit down for five minutes before I made dinner, knowing full well I’d be there for at least an hour before I found the energy to get back up. Luckily, I was planning on making a Thai curry for dinner, which wouldn’t be too strenuous or time-consuming.

I scrolled through my phone, smiling as a message from Jonny appeared.

Jonny

Apparently this Christmas night out at The Court is becoming a thing now - Jaden, Bailey, Hunter and Gabriel are all coming. Plus Aiden, Theo and Laurie.

Jonny

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