2 Chapter 2

“You two get buckled in, I’ll go pay.”

Martin reached for his wallet, telling Matt he’d get it. Matt refused.

“Jesus Christ,” Matt complained when he got back to the truck. “Bloody daylight robbery.”

“I said I’d pay,” Martin reminded.

“Thanks, mate, it’s okay. I’m just pissed off that the tight bastards made me pay for an extra half hour ’cause I was a couple of minutes over.”

“Sorry,” Martin said. Colin suspected his husband was feeling guilty for delaying them.

Colin gave his man’s hand a supportive squeeze. Martin squeezed back.

Once Matt had buckled himself in next to Martin with Colin on the far side, he turned the key and the engine came to life. The cab was just about big enough for the three of them; neither Colin nor his uncle were small men.

“A rose between two thorns, eh, Martin?” Matt said, patting Martin’s knee.

“More like a thin sapling between two mighty oaks,” Martin said, then yawned wide. “Sorry.”

Matt chuckled, put the truck in gear, and they began descending the levels toward the exit.

Matt wound his window down and put the ticket in the machine, still grumbling about the cost. The barrier rose, Matt gunned the engine, and shot out of the car park. Colin simultaneously reached for the door handle and Martin’s arm.

“You said you’d take us on a tour of Sydney?” Martin asked once they were free of the airport.

Matt seemed to give himself a bit of a shake. “If you want to.”

“You’ll have to describe the kangaroos to me as they hop across Sydney Harbour Bridge.” Martin smiled.

Matt tipped his head back and laughed. “You dozy bugger.”

This seemed to have broken the ice, and the rest of the journey to the motel was spent much more pleasantly, Martin telling Matt about the flight attendant who was really attentive to him.

Colin growled.

“Sounds like you’re jealous, mate,” Matt said, shooting a quick look over at his nephew.

“Like I told him,” Martin said, reaching for and squeezing Colin’s hand, “he’s all the man I’ll ever need.”

“Ah, nice,” Matt smiled, though Colin could see the smile was a little wistful.

“But you know what it’s like,” Martin put in, “you and Bruce, you know?”

Matt kept his eyes on the road and didn’t say anything.

“Uncle Matt?” Colin asked. “You okay?”

“Yeah, mate, fine.”

“Sorry if I’m prying, uh, being a sticky beak?” Martin asked.

“Yeah, mate, that’s what we say, but no, you weren’t being a sticky beak. It’s just…” Matt sighed.

“Sorry, Uncle Matt, it’s obviously none of our business,” Colin said.

The three drove in silence for a few minutes before Matt admitted, “I didn’t tell him.”

“Bruce?” Colin asked.

Matt nodded. “I chickened out.”

“Know what you mean.” Martin sighed. “I fancied Colin for ages before I dared to say anything. I thought it was better to stick with what I had, Colin as a sort of friend, delivering my groceries every week, rather than risk asking for more and probably being disappointed.”

Matt sighed. “Yeah.”

They soon pulled up outside a nondescript-looking motel.

“Jesus,” Colin said.

“What?” Martin asked.

“The name of this place,” Colin continued.

“I know, but the tourists love this sort of crap.”

“What!” Martin repeated.

“Sorry, love.” Colin kissed Martin’s cheek. He knew how not being told all the facts about what was being talked about irritated his husband. “This place,” Colin chuckled, “is called the Jolly Swagman Motel.”

Martin laughed. “Don’t tell me there’s a Tucker Bag diner, too.”

“That’s round the corner,” Matt smiled.

“Really?” Martin asked.

“No, mate, just pulling your leg.”

Martin began to sing Waltzing Matilda, and Matt excused himself to book them in.

Again Martin offered to pay, but again Matt refused.

“With only one of you working now I know things are tight for you two,” Matt said, unclipping his seatbelt.

“We’re doing okay,” Colin told him, the depression over losing his job threatening to wash over him.

Wordlessly, Martin worked his arm around Colin’s waist and gave him a squeeze.

Colin looked up to see Matt smiling at them. “You lucky buggers.” He shook his head and got out of the truck. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

The ticking of the cooling engine was the only sound in the otherwise silent cab.

Colin let out a long breath.

Martin found Colin’s cheek and kissed it. “You okay?”

Colin nodded; as his cheek was still touching Martin’s mouth, he knew his partner could feel his response.

“We don’t have to decide anything while we’re out here,” Martin whispered, the warm breath against his face tickled.