But as you hold a hand over his shoulder blade, you feel the consequences of a young man who willingly takes the burden, his muscles tense even after a warm down and the coach journey home. You press the heel of your hand firmer and rub a circle, just on the muscle stretched over the blade and you’re rewarded with a small noise from Gareth. He presses his nose closer into your chest, and you feel him play with the hem of your shirt, slim fingers rubbing the cotton together.
And you know what you’d do. How you’d help him, what he needs. But you can imagine Tony hissing in your ear, don’t mix business and pleasure, what’re you gunna be like when we face him during the next season?