Slaying Goliath

Chapter 9

"And don't go into the bathroom without protection," Drew was saying to Mark, "Touch any surface in there and you'll end up pregnant."

The guys had arrived at his apartment for breakfast and to check up on Drew. This might have been their plan but right now his love-life seemed to be higher on the agenda than Drew's breakup. Drew unfortunately didn't pass out after being left in the spare bedroom and was now giving the guys a play-by-play account of every bump and groan he'd heard during the night.

They lounged around on his sofas, drinking his coffee and discussing his sex life while they ignored his sign attempts to tell them to get out. His voice was gone and all he could do was wave his arms around at them which, as they were demonstrating, was easy to ignore. They flashed him broad grins as they enjoyed his discomfort.

I hate you all, he finally signed and gave up.

"I swear," Drew widened his eyes, "I'm surprised the building's still standing. The foundations took a pounding!"

"And she left?" Sam frowned.

"Can you believe it," Drew laughed, "Firstly, she was still able to walk after that bashing, and secondly, you should have seen his face. He was like a puppy who'd just lost its bone, except he hadn't. His bone was still front and centre!"

"Aw," Mark crooned, "JJ's in love."

"Josh," Drew corrected.

"You told her your real name?" the three men looked at him.

He looked away.

"This is serious," Mark's voice was serious, "And you told her about the spread that's going to hit every coffee table on Thursday?"

Josh grimaced and examined his shoes.

"So, Drew," Sam's voice was clipped as he purposely turned to Drew, "How are you? Can you please promise us that this is the last time? She's cancer, that woman. Find a new poison, she's going to kill you."

Josh breathed out a long breath as they took Sam's bait and the conversation moved to Drew and Veronica. He got up and headed for the kitchen. He was pouring another coffee when Sam joined him.

"Are you OK?" Sam was watching him carefully.

He shrugged on shoulder and he avoided Sam's eyes.

"Are you being careful?" Sam asked.

I'm not a virgin, Josh signed, I know about birth-control.

"I wasn't referring to your sperm," Sam poured himself a cup, "I was talking about your heart."

What's that supposed to mean?

"I know you," Sam leaned against the bench, "This woman is different, isn't she? This isn't one of your sex-escapes. This isn't a short-term thing for you, is it?"

He shrugged again.

"And you haven't told her," Sam continued. "I'm not judging, but I've never seen you like this."

I know I've got to tell her, he rubbed the heel of his hand over his forehead, I've tried

"I'm not going to tell you what you need to do," Sam stirred the coffee in his cup, "But if I was you, and I felt strongly about her, I would want to protect her from finding out that sort of thing from the press."

Josh didn't answer him.

"You know that we have your back," Sam said as he left, "No matter what happens we will be there for you."