Page 46 of The Longest Wait

As soon as he strode into the basement, it was like a construction war zone or, more aptly put, a remodel catastrophe. Shitwas everywhere.

Alex couldn’t help but to chuckle once he saw Jack staring athis phone. “You said a little bit of help. This, my friend, is not alittle bit of help.”

Jack looked up. “I was watching a video of how to remodel thebasement, and I figured two brains were better than one.”

“Why not hire someone?”

He shook his head like Alex was crazy. “Why waste the moneywhen I can figure it out myself.”

From there, he went on a spiel with instructions on how tobuild a wall for the remodel of the basement. He was detailed. Alexrealized helping a friend was fun. A friend who was an attorney,was not. That guy didn’t miss a thing. Once they got past nailingthe top plates to the ceiling joist, they got into a groove that didn’tentail Jack rewatching YouTube videos, which Alex was grateful for.Jack asked Alex to give him a hammer, when conversation shiftedto his next assignment.

“They want me to go to Caracas for three weeks next month,”Alex informed him of his next work project. “Venezuela has economic despair on top of one of the highest crime rates. Recently,even teachers are skipping school for safety.”

Jack nodded. “That sounds more like what you were lookingfor. You’ve been saying you wanted to get back to traveling tomore obscure places. You were sick of the bullshit work they weregiving you.”

“I know.”

This lackadaisical response made Jack stop. “You don’t soundthrilled about it.”

“I am,” he said without enthusiasm. “Really. This is what Ihave been begging my boss for and she finally agreed to morenewsworthy assignments.”

Jack didn’t believe him. “You sound miserable. What’s holdingyou back?”

That was the question Alex kept asking himself. “The adrenaline rush isn’t there anymore. I hate to say it, but my career nowfeels like a job.”

Jack was surprised, he didn’t realize Alex’s thoughts on hiscareer had shifted. “Damn. What changed?”

Irony was a real asshole because at that exact moment, Lucyand Sofia joined them in the clusterfuck of a basement. Sofia wasas jaw dropping as normal when she handed him a water.

Lucy hugged him. “Thanks for helping out. You’re the bestbig brother.”

“I’m telling Tony you said that.”

She smiled. “He’ll never believe you.”

That was probably accurate. Lucy was the only girl and theyoungest in their family. It still stood true that she was treated likea baby.

“What are your plans next weekend?” Lucy chatted. “Want tocome with us to a Warriors game?”

Oh fuck, next weekend.

“I have to go to an engagement party,” Alex said, wishinghe didn’t have to attend the celebration. “My boss’s daughter isengaged and pretty much the entire staff has to be there.”

“You’re going to an engagement party? How will you survive?I’m surprised you haven’t broken out in hives yet.” Sofia laughedwhile Alex shot her a dirty look.

Lucy rolled her eyes at their teasing. “Either way, you’re missing out. Night games for the Warriors are always the best.”

“Apparently it’s free hotdog night.” Sofia deadpanned at theidea of going to a game. “There will be at least some form ofentertainment for me.”

Sofia never wanted to go to the soccer games, and he would’veasked her before to attend the engagement party with him, butshe was still skittish over anything that resembled a relationshipbetween them. If he asked in front of Lucy though, she wouldn’tbe able to turn him down. He was using their current situation tohis advantage.

Before he could stop the words from coming out, he said, “Ifan engagement party sounds like better entertainment, you cancome with me.”

They all froze, surprised at his offer. It was such a chickenshitway to get more time with Sofia, but he would take any chancepresented to him.

“Everyone is going to have a date, including Travis. If I breakout in hives, who is going to save me and give me Benadryl?”

Sofia cocked her head to the side. “You must be down on yourluck if you’re relying on me, of all people, to administer medicationfor you.”