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“Because I set the bar so low.”
“The lowest.”
I roll my eyes.
“It took me a year to build my house. I’m surprised Herb didn’t mention it. He checked on my progress every day without fail. He used to be a contractor.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“That’s odd since you’ve known him forso long.”
“Koen, I’m ready to crawl through this phone and strangle you tonight.”
“If you crawl through the phone, I can think of better things we can do that don’t involve you strangling me, unless that’s your kink.” He waggles his eyebrows, and they look extra goofy from his reclined position.
“Can I ask you a personal question?”
“I thought sex was personal, but sure, whatcha got?”
“Do you still get help for your drinking issues?”
“You can call me an alcoholic. I take responsibility and own it. And, yes, I go to meetings. If I feel like I’m struggling, I have someone to call. And I have friends and family who support me. That’s why I don’t try to hide it, even when I probably should at least hold off on oversharing too soon. When people know, there’s accountability. Does it suck when I think someone’s judging me or having trouble trusting me? Of course. But I did this. And I hurt a lot of people in the process, so I take full responsibility.”
“You’re a good man, Koen.”
He yawns. “Thanks. I appreciate you saying that. I’d better get to sleep. I start early in the morning. Long days mean I get home sooner.”
“I like that plan. I’ll let you go.”
“Goodnight, Scottie.”
“Night, Koen.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
IF I GIVE YOU EVERYTHING, WILL YOU BREAK IT?
“Listen,I’m against body-shaming. So please know that I’m not body-shaming you when I say this, but you’re too thin.”
Price glances up from the instructions to his newest Lego set while I eat alone on the other side of his kitchen table. These days, it’s hard to see the old version of him where he always wore suits and tamed his waves with hair gel. The man, gazing back at me, drinking his juice, has wayward hair, a wrinkled gray T-shirt, and sweatpants. I have never seen Price Milloy in sweats. Designer activewear? Yes.
All he does is drink juice and look like an imposter. And it feels unbearable keeping my mouth shut, but it’s just as unbearable to ask him the question I don’t want the answer to.
Price blinks several times before returning his attention to the instructions. “You’ve mentioned this before now. I agree. But I feel better than when I was twenty pounds heavier.”
Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I nod. “That’s good, I suppose.”
“Yeah,” he mumbles absentmindedly, “I think so too.”
“How would you feel about me fixing you up on a date?”
He stops stone still.
Despite my instinct to give him an out, I wait to say I’m kidding.
“According to you, I’m too thin. Do you think it’s a good idea for me to date when I’m too thin? Perhaps we should hold off on double-dating until your boyfriend helps me get buff.”
“What makes you think Koen’s my boyfriend?”
