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“I’m just having a late lunch, what’s up?” I don’t share my drinking habits with my dad, he hasn’t picked up a drink in twenty years.
“So, Lily Lawrence called me today, and their main guy broke his leg last week. They can use a new contractor for their project, and since you’re living with that girl. I didn’t know if you’d be sticking around and want to help out. I mean, we’re almost done with the greenhouse.”
“I don’t think I’m going to be here after we’re done, Dad. The girl is just an old friend.” Even as I say the words, it hurts me, probably because deep down, I know I’m lying. I’d worked for Lily and Daniel Lawrence in high school and a little time after. They were good people, and I wouldn’t mind working for them, but…
“Well, think about it. It’ll be good to have you around more,” my dad says. “See you tomorrow.”
Once again, I sit in my car. If I’d had any more beer, I wouldn’t be able to drive. I can’t shake the old guy from the bar. His wife did pick him up, and I wonder if I’ll ever have anything like they have?
Sydney pops into my head. We were together for a long time, but she and I never had a future. Why the hell I put up with her for so long, I don’t know. We were terrible for each other. She is a hot mess in the worst way, and hanging out with her was the reason I lost a job. I can’t imagine Nina doing anything besides supporting me. That is if she wants me.
I guess there is only one way to find out. But first, I need to do something I should have done years ago. I need to tell Grady. He is going to be super pissed, but it is time to come clean. He knows me, and he knows her.
Grady lives with his roommate, Owen, on the complete opposite side of town from Nina and me, so I am glad I didn’t drink more than one beer. I start the car and head his way. Taking out my phone, I give him a quick call to let him know I’m coming.
“Hey, man,” he says when he answers, “I was just about to play Owen, you want to come over?”
“Yes, I’m actually on my way already,” I say, “I have something I need to talk to you about.”
“Whoa, sounds heavy. Should I be worried?”
“No, but it’s important, okay?”
“All right,” his usual carefree tone turns somber, “come on over.”
I drive to Grady’s apartment complex and stare at his door. The Hills is a nice place with a pool and sauna. He’s done well for himself and is saving to buy a house. I don’t want to go in, but I’ve postponed the inevitable long enough. It’s time to man up, and most likely get punched in the face.
I walk into the bachelor pad and see Owen lounging on the couch. He looks like a California skater kid with his shaggy blond hair, hell, he even talks like one.
“What’s up, dude,” he says, “Cheese-It?”
He holds up the biggest bag of Cheese-It’s I’ve ever seen.
“Uhhh, no thanks, man,” I decline, taking the seat next to him.
Grady comes out of his bedroom and throws a football at me. I catch it before it hits me in the face.
“You dick,” I growl, throwing it back in his face.
“Love you too, man.” He returns, throwing it at Owen this time. He ignores it, and it crashes into the lamp on the table next to the couch. Owen gets up, putting the lamp back on the table.
“All right,” Owen says, “Enough fun and games, kids. I gotta go to work.”
“Where you working?” I ask.
“I took on a part-time job at the tanning bed place. Didn’t you notice the gorgeous tan I have?”
I shake my head, he does look tanner, but I don’t make it a habit to check these things out. After Owen leaves, I take a deep breath.
“Tell me what’s going on. You made it sound serious on the phone.” Grady pushes.
“Okay, I need to tell you some things, but you can’t get mad enough to kill me. You can get mad, but don’t kill me. Please.”
“Oh, this sounds like it’s going to be insane.” Grady blinks slowly and moves over to the chair away from me.
I tell him about Nina in high school and how we started flirting. I tell him how nothing happened until we got out of school, and even then, it took a long time. After I explain the beginnings, I tell him about the end. I explain the reason I left town, and as I’m talking, Grady’s face is getting redder and redder. He’s angry, so I just keep going and tell him the entire story with the latest occurrence and the words we exchanged.
Grady doesn’t say anything for a long time. It’s terrifying, just waiting for a reaction.
