A Tiny Piece of Something Greater by Jude Sierra

Author:Jude Sierra [Sierra, Jude]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Interlude Press
Published: 2018-04-30T14:46:57+00:00

Seventeen

Joaquim cannot get Reid off his mind all day. His preoccupation affects his work, and Mike has to pull him aside more than once to remind him to get his head in the right space. He takes a moment on his lunch break to text Reid and then his sister. His workmates are nice enough, but the more intense his relationship with Reid has gotten, the less comfortable he’s felt talking to any of them, even Nina. Joaquim always misses his family and carries homesickness with him. It aches, usually faintly, but constantly. Today it’s more intense.

Joaquim: Can we talk tonight? It’ll be late.

He’s eaten most of his lunch before Sofia replies. Reid hasn’t responded either.

Sofia: Sure. All okay?

Joaquim: Sure, I guess.

Joaquim frowns.

Joaquim: IDK. Boy issues.

Sofia: LOL, finally.

His issues aren’t really the laughing kind, but he doesn’t want to explain over text. His lunch is over anyway.

Joaquim: I’ll call when I’m done for the day. Night dive. Te amo.

Sofia: You too.

Joaquim tucks his phone away and tosses his paper plate into a nearby garbage can.

“You okay?” Bobby asks, mouth full.

“Fine,” Joaquim responds. Something makes Joaquim want to protect Reid and protect how they will think of him.

After the late dive, Joaquim is pleasantly tired and less weighed down by the events of last night. He’s still worried about Reid, but mostly he’s curious. He tries calling him, but gets no answer. He doesn’t get a text back either.

Joaquim: Seriously, are you okay?

He texts again half an hour later, after he’s showered and put on his most comfortable sweats. He’s on his bed, cross-legged, trying not to stare at his phone and will it to buzz. Finally, he gives in and calls Sofia.

“Oi, irmão,” she says.

“SoSo.” Joaquim rests his back against the wall. He hasn’t talked to her in a while. He’s been too busy with work and with Reid.

“Boy troubles, hmm?” Sofia is disarmingly direct. “Quim, you’ve been holding out on me. There’s a boy?”

“Well.” He clears his throat. “It’s new.”

“How new? And already troubles?”

“A few dates new. It’s complicated.” He leaves out the blistering-hot sex part.

“Isn’t that the definition of boy troubles? It’s not like you to do boy troubles, carinho.”

“I really like him.” He means it too. He’s in too fast and too soon, but he’s connected to Reid. So close to love. Too close.

“Tell me about him, then.”

“We met when he did a dive class. He’s new to the Keys. He came to take care of his grandmother’s condo.” Joaquim isn’t dumb; Reid’s story is a cover. That condo development has groundskeepers. “He’s sweet but complicated. Sometimes he’s open, but he’s unpredictable. Moody sometimes.”

“Not everyone is as laid-back as you,” Sofia points out.

“True. Anyway, the issue is more that his ex showed up yesterday. Out of nowhere. He’s done stuff to hurt Reid. It was an ugly breakup.”

“And he just showed up? Where is this boy from?”

“Wisconsin,” Joaquim says. “I know, right?”

“That’s a long way to come to show up on your ex’s doorstep. What’s the story?”

Joaquim only knows the little that Reid has told him, a story he’s hesitant to share.

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