AllFreeNovel
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I hate everything.
The train pulls to a stop at 14th Street, and I text Peggy on the short walk to my apartment.
I’ll call a plumber. Tell mom and dad I’ll take care of it.
What’s more debt? I still have one credit card that isn’t maxed out.
Finding Eric and Chris outside the building putting boxes into a U-Haul serves as a bitter reminder that I’ve got two weeks left before March rent is due. I try to act like Eric isn’t seriously ruining what’s left of my wasted life and help with the last few boxes, giving him a hug and waving him off on his way.
Chris and I share a look before heading back inside where it’s warm. “We’ll be fine,” he says to me.
“Yeah.” I force a smile and nod.
“I mean, there’s always Queens,” he says.
I laugh. Since Christian doesn’t have work tonight, he generously offers me the bedroom. Which is good, because as soon as I lie down, I flash back to yesterday morning and pop another boner. “Fuck.”
I clench my jaw and deal with this one the old-fashioned way. Lotion and tissues. The weakness of the release compared to the powerful way I’ve been getting off the last few days feels indicative of a deep-seated problem. My dick has clearly picked a person. That person is a very rich man who lives uptown and has a fiancée he fucked last night.
I don’t like this. I really don’t.
I flop onto my face once I toss the tissues to the side and pass the fuck out.
On my day off, I manage to fit in a workout and a trip to the store, but mostly I sleep.
When I wake up Thursday before work, it’s dark, and I haven’t moved an inch. I take a shower, eat some leftovers, brush my teeth, pack my backpack, and head uptown. Maybe it’s wishful thinking or just manifesting, but I added a change of clothes to my bag this time. Fresh underwear, a t-shirt, and a pair of gym shorts.
When I get to work, Hakeem, one of the fill-in guys, gives me the low-down on who all’s in and out of the building. After he’s gone, it’s a pretty boring night overall. The most interesting thing that happens is Babs’s homosexual friend from overseas arrives with four pieces of Samsonite luggage and a gray duffel bag.
“Drew Riley, this is Jeremy, the one I told you about, remember?” Babs is beaming.
I offer him a hand, and he quickly checks me out. “You’re the doorman?”
“Yes. Anything I can help you with?”
“No, I just mean—they don’t make them like you in London.”
I blush. Have men always hit on me and I’ve just never noticed before?
“He has a girlfriend, dear,” Babs says.
Jeremy has a kind smile, dark, floppy hair, and black-rimmed glasses. He’s about as tall as Olivier but lankier. “Babs, it’s important to make your availability known to everyone you meet. You never know who might lead you to the one. I’ve so much to teach you while I’m here. Lovely to meet you, Drew.”
I help them to the elevator. “I do live with two queer men, so—I’m a good place to start,” I tell him.
Jeremy grins, and Babs laughs. “Let me know the next time you lot have a night out,” he says to me.
I nod politely and wave off his attempt to give me a tip.
So, there—proof that I can be nice. My friends like me, my girlfriend still wants me around, and Babs thinks I’m a gem.
I think I may have given the impression that my bitterness bleeds into every interaction I have. It’s only true during the very dark times, and in general, I reserve my bitterness for Peggy and The Heir. Even though now I sometimes call him Peach.
And I want to know how his big night went.
I’m honestly having trouble not thinking about it.
When he doesn’t come and go for dinner or drinks or anything, I get even more annoyed. Did she wear him out that bad? Is there trouble in fake engagement paradise? Is he upset? Where the fuck is he?
