Page 56 of Septembers

I still don’t think so.

i’m very disappointed in your lack of loyalty

I would visit YOU

I don’t plan on murdering anyone, so it’s a non-issue.

But if you DID, I would visit you in jail

Thanks.

“Theo?”

He shoved his phone into his pocket and focused on Jordan, whose entire face was a frown: downturned lips, crinkled forehead and a judgy stare.

They stood in the living room of their potential new apartment, making sure it was to their liking before taking over the lease from one of her music club friends. Jordan clicked her tongue at him, but it wasn’t like he really had to pay attention to the tour anyway. The apartment was large by Toronto standards, with a sectioned-off kitchen, a huge living room, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms. It even had one of those metal balconies with a folding fire escape, where, if they were in a movie, they would smoke and contemplate their existence while the city roared below them. On top of that, it was nestled in Kensington, a bohemian oasis in the heart of downtown with vintage shops, splashes of murals, and vegan pop-up stalls.

The apartment could be haunted by a mold-spewing demon and Theo would still sign the lease.

But Jordan continued to frown at him, whispering as her friend led them into the bathroom. “Please tell me you’re not rereading Dae’s messages again.”

“Okay,” he whispered back. “I’m not rereading Dae’s messages again.”

Theo was excited about living with Jordan, but this hadn’t been the plan. He was supposed to be finding a four bedroom apartment for him, Dae, Caleb, and Jason. They were supposed to reunite after the summer and continue their carefully crafted wholesome cohabitation. But then Jason got a job in North York, and the commute from downtown would’ve been too far, and Caleb and Avery decided to move in together, and Dae…

Theo’s fingers itched for his phone, but he didn’t feel up for another eye-roll from Jordan, so he kept his attention on the master bedroom that led to the second, en-suite bathroom.

“Theo’s taking this one,” Jordan said definitively, even though they’d discussed nothing of the sort, “because he has a big-boy job now, which means he can pay more.”

“Oh?” Her friend was tall with short wavy hair and a no-nonsense expression. Theo wished he remembered her name, but he’d only met her a few times at the recitals. “What’s the job?”

When Theo hesitated, Jordan jumped in. “He’s working for one of the top talent agencies in the country.” She beamed. “As an admin assistant, but you have to start somewhere.”

“Assistant to an admin assistant,” he corrected, even though he probably didn’t need to.

“Congratulations,” the mystery music club member said with a curt nod. “So, are you taking the place? My gig in Manitoba starts next week, so I need this taken care of.”

The process to transfer the lease was surprisingly quick: a few signatures, money transfers, and a short call to the landlord, and Jordan and Theo were the proud renters of their first adult apartment.

Theo knew it was unfair of him to be distracted during such a momentous occasion, so he slapped on a smile and did a shoulder-shimmy on their way down the stairs. “Hey roomie.”

She shook her head at him with a reluctant smile. “Ah, so you’ve caught up to the situation, have you?”

“Getting there.”

They made it down all five flights of stairs and walked into the cool afternoon. The autumn breeze always made him feel like he was on the precipice of a new beginning, and there was no newer beginning than a move.

He wrapped his arm around her and squeezed as they wandered down the street towards the shops. Music floated out of windows along with savoury smells and chatter. “I spoke to Rocket Launch Café.”

She let out a mighty sigh and rested her head on his shoulder. She’d gone back and forth about playing a regular spot once a week and had finally given the green light a few days ago.

“You know I’ll be there,” he said, laying his own head on top of hers in what he hoped was a comforting gesture. “And Avery and Caleb and all your other little music club groupies. You couldn’t ask for a more supportive crowd.”

“You’ve said all this.” She pulled away and smacked his ass. “I said I’d do it, so I’ll do it. Once.” She held up her finger, attempting a stern expression. “Just to see how it goes.”

“And when you blow everyone away and get a standing ovation and the café begs you to come back every week?”

“Go home and pack, Theo. And do not obsess over your phone.” His body tensed at her words, but she continued. “Dae’s decision had nothing to do with you, and you won’t find any evidence to the contrary in his texts. Got it?”