Page 50 of Praising Haru

“Yeah. Roofers, window fitters, electricians, plumbers, painters, and decorators. All we do is build the shell.”

“And rugby?”

“At this time of year, it’s all training for when matches start again. Lots of repetitive skills exercises.”

“But you enjoy it?”

“I love it.”

“Could I come and watch a match?”

Kyle stares at his plate for a few seconds and stirs food around his plate. “There won’t be any before you return to London.”

My expression falls. “Oh.”

“You can come along to a practice if you want, but they’re not exciting to watch.”

I point at the photos on his bookcase. “You wear your kit to practices?”

“No. But I do wear a rugby shirt and shorts.”

“Then it’ll be exciting to watch.” I wink at him.

“Let me know when you want to come along.”

I chew my lower lip. “Do your teammates know you’re gay? I wouldn’t want to accidentally out you or anything.”

“They know. I bumped into a couple of them at The New Penny. It’s one of the pubs on Lower Briggate. I’ll take you some time. It’s got a blue plaque and everything.”

I’m vaguely aware that the Leeds Civic Trust put blue plaques up to commemorate people, events, and buildings. I’ve never taken the time to look for any of them.

“What for?” I ask.

“Being of the longest continually open LGBTQ+ venues in the UK.”

“Wow.”

“Leeds is full of history.”

“I guess it is. I spent most of my life living here, but I don’t know the city as well as I should. I can get around, but that’s not the same thing as knowing it.”

“Dad is into local history. I guess some of his fascination with the city’s past has rubbed off on me.”

I press my face against my hands.

“What?”

“Nothing. I have a dirty mind, that’s all.”

“Oh, you want me to rub off on you?”

My face burns with heat. I look up. “Not tonight.” My voice comes out as a squeak. “I’m trying to do the friend thing tonight.”

“Which is why I’m topless?”

I sit upright and wave my hand. “A moment of weakness.”

He chuckles and pushes his empty plate away. “You wanted me to read to you?”