Off the Record : Episode 8

"Almosts and Maybes"

Larry wasn’t sure when it became this hard to breathe around Joel.

Was it before that kiss? Or was it after Joel started looking at him like he meant something? Maybe it had always been like this and Larry had just stopped pretending otherwise.

Either way, he was in trouble.

They were stuck late again — a final practice run for Joel's upcoming media blitz. Mel had gone home hours ago, muttering about deadlines and the existential crisis of licensing conflicts or something. The building had gone quiet, the kind of hush that made things feel closer than they should.

Joel had taken off his hoodie, left in a soft tee and joggers. His hair was still damp from a post-training shower, curling slightly at the edges. He looked… unfair.

And when he stretched — arms over his head, shirt lifting just a little — Larry pretended to focus on his laptop and absolutely did not stare.

Joel sat back down beside him, so close their knees almost touched. They didn’t speak for a while, just worked in tandem, reviewing social copy and revising media points. But every time Larry leaned in to point something out, Joel’s gaze flicked to his mouth. Once. Twice. A third time.

By the fourth, Larry had to stand.

“Need water,” he said, voice too high, too fake.

He made it to the kitchenette and gripped the edge of the sink like it might save him. His pulse was ridiculous. He poured a glass, took a sip, and stared at the overhead light until his breathing slowed.

He heard Joel come up behind him before he saw him. Not heavy footsteps, just presence. Like the room shifted slightly to make space.

“Thought you were melting down,” Joel said, voice warm.

“Just overheating,” Larry replied, which wasn’t a lie. Not technically.

Joel reached past him to grab a mug. Their arms brushed. Larry turned — too fast — and they almost bumped noses.

Joel didn’t step back.

Neither did Larry.

They stood there, barely a breath apart, the buzz between them louder than any conversation.

“Right,” Larry said finally, voice breaking slightly. “We should… get back.”

Joel nodded. But his eyes lingered.

Larry walked out first. Didn’t check to see if Joel followed. Didn’t have to. He felt it.

Back at the desk, they sat again. Side by side.

The space between them? Still tight.

Still crackling.

Still entirely unresolved.