Just Another Crazy Coincidence

Chapter 08:

Joey is up abnormally early for his usual self, and he has definitely spent far too long scrutinizing his reflection in the mirror. He knows he should not be so put out by today, but he can’t help it. Joey has always thought that if anyone is going to like him they are going to have to take him as he is. He should never have to really try to capture someone's attention, but that always flies out the window when he meets someone whose attention he actually wants to catch. Each time Joey tells himself that next time it will be different and he will not try to be more or less or different that to who he is. This time, he is trying to stand his ground. As he stares at himself he feels as average as ever, how could anyone want to be with someone as boring and average as him?

In Joeys opinion, all his boyfriend’s have been far, far, out of his league, and he sure that Sean probably is as well. However, it has never stopped him trying, because if you can get something more than you deserve, you should hold onto it a treasure it while you can. Maybe that is why Joey is always the one getting left behind, but maybe one day he won’t be, maybe one day he will be enough.

Pushing his hair out of his eyes, Joey straightens himself up and nods at his reflection. He is all he can be and he will show Sean that all he is can be fun, and charming and kind and good for him. Maybe he has no chance, maybe Sean has never looked at another man like that in all his life, but there is always a little bit of hope, and Joey will never know if he doesn’t try. He leaves his bathroom before he can change his mind and walks back into his room. He is already wearing a pair of dark jeans but his chest his bare. Maybe he should just go like this, because he knows for a fact he looks better without a shirt than with one. Unfortunately it isn’t exactly socially acceptable, and maybe that would be perceived as coming on too strong. He finds his tightest black shirt and pulls it over his head, but changes his mind when he see’s his white shirt on the bed. It was once an plain, large tee, until he took a pair of scissors to it, now it is sleeveless and the neckline is not so high. The white compliments his skin tone a lot more than the black does, and he makes the switch.

At nine o’clock Joey still isn’t satisfied with himself even though he hasn’t changed his outfit again or brushed his teeth or a third time or stared himself down in the mirror any longer. Grabbing his keys and wallet, he heads out the door  and across the paths between apartments. When he reaches the car parks, he climbs into his ute and cranks the radio. He remembers where Sean lives, and it is not far, it’s not in the same suburb but it is close enough. About fifteen minutes later he is pulling up outside a small house, one of those ones that are in a row of five or ten, all wall to wall.

When Sean hears a horn sound from outside he grabs his things and heads out the door. “You have no idea how difficult it is for me to be up before eleven on a Saturday.” he says and he climbs in beside Joey.

Joey laughs at him and shrugs his shoulders, “I’ve gotta work every second one, so I’m used to it. It’s the Sunday’s I struggle with.”

“Doesn’t everyone?”

Sean settles  back as Joey begins to drive to the shop, he is still half asleep, but he was happy to do this on Joey’s schedule, especially since he did not have to help. 

“Thanks for doing this,” Sean says, wanting to make sure that Joey knows it is appreciated.

“No worries, can’t have you breaking down every other day and interrupting my routine now, can I?”

Sean grins, but he doesn’t look at Joey. He has his head tilted back and his eyes closed. Enjoying the warmth of the sun through the windows without the wind outside. “Don’t worry, I can find other ways to interupt your day.”

Joey glances over in surprise, because that sounded a helluva lot like flirting to him! When he see’s the grin that Sean is wearing he suddenly feels nervous because he had not expected that attitude and what should he say to that?