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"Anything I can do to help?" Jakob asked; uncertain where even he wouldbeginto unravel a problem such as that, but still feeling that familiar old need to dosomethingto fix his friend's problems.
"Naw, but thanks," Ethan told him, his eyes softening in the dim lighting as he watched Jakob. "How about you, though? A daughter, huh? She okay out there while we're jawing away in here, by the way?"
"Huh?" Jakob asked, turning to glance over his shoulder out the large pane windows towards where his pickup truck was parked.
Cassie was tucked up in the cab, her head bent over her phone as colorful lights danced over her face. The muscles in Jakob's shoulders relaxed as she laughed at something on the screen, an answering grin spreading across his own face at the sight.
"Oh, yeah — she'll be fine as long as her battery holds out," Jakob told Ethan, turning back around in his seat to face the man.
"Her mom not going to be upset you've got her out so late?" Ethan asked with a tilt of his head, making the shadows of… ofsomethingflicker in his eyes.
"No, it's fine. Sophia's off… somewhere," Jakob said, flicking his fingers vaguely in the direction he assumed Australia might be from here. Or… he thought he remembered her saying Australia last time they had talked. He supposed it could be Austria.
Admittedly, that was at least a few weeks ago.
It can be hard keeping up with exes, even ones you were still on good terms with. Especially one with a passport as well-stamped as Sophia's was.
"I'd have to look at the calendar to tell you where exactly in the world she's at this week," Jakob admitted. "Some professional conference or something, I think. Cassie told me, but she knows I've got no head for details when it comes to keeping up with her mom. Don't need to really, not until Sophia picks her up in the summer for their month jet-setting around whatever locations her studio has sent her out to scout for their next big show. Cassie enjoys it at least, gets to see a bit of the globe, even if it's only the scenic parts."
"So. Married, huh? That's…" Ethan started before trailing off, as if he realized he had been headed towards what wasn't always safe territory these days.
"Divorced. Twice now, actually. Cassie keeps telling me I should start dating again, but… I'm not sure she reallymeansit, just something she thinks she's supposed to say. To be supportive, y'know? But since the accident, I… I don't know. Not certain I'm ready yet for that whole dance that comes with trying to find someone new," Jakob said with a grimace as he pulled at the label of his bottle. "How about you? Did you ever… ?"
"Naw," Ethan replied, looking anywhere but at Jakob. "Never met the right one, I guess. Or just… I neverwasthe right one. Not even the wrong one long enough to make it as far as you and your ex-wives — "
"Ex-spouses," Jakob corrected, bracing himself. But… well, it was better sooner than later, right?
It was… good — No, it wasgreatsitting here catching up with Ethan, no matter how awkward and hesitant they were. Felt almost as if they had never… Almost as ifJakobhadn't mucked it up all those years ago, as if there wasn't a whole mountain of poisoned words and empty chances separating them now. If there was any chance they could fix that friendship, Jakob would seize it with both hands.
But there was the shadow of that sword hanging over both their heads, and Jakob knew it was now or never to find out how it would fall.
"Ex-spouses," Jakob repeated a little louder as he straightened up, looking Ethan in the eye. "Sophia and… my ex-husband, Reed."
Ethan…
He hadn't moved a muscle. Had gone still and quiet, his gaze sharpening in that way Jakob recognized all too easily. To an outside observer, he appeared content to merely watch Jakob for the moment, but…
Jakob knew — well… he hadknownthat look, all those many years ago. Ethan was thinking fast and hard, trying to wrap his mind around something, turning it this direction and that before he spoke.
"Ex-husband?" Ethan asked quietly; his tone deliberate and measured, his voice unnaturally small. Jakob could see his throat working as he swallowed, hearing the slight husky rasp to it.
"Yeah," Jakob confirmed with a sigh, closing his eyes and slumping in on himself. Well, it had been a nice thought, renewing their friendship after all this time. Perhaps even… Not that he dared hope for more, not after…
Even so, it had beengoodto see Ethan again.
"I should… I should go," Jakob said, grabbing for his cane and making ready to stand. It was a much harder process now than just a year ago. No clean and quick exits for him anymore. "Cassie's phone is probably running on fumes. Be in here trying to steal mine in a moment."
Jakob froze when he felt Ethan's fingers brush against his, his gaze leaping to Ethan's face in startlement.
"It was good seeing you again, Jakob," Ethan said; his eyes gentle and warm, just as Jakob had always remembered them being. "If you… Maybe we can go and grab a coffee sometime?Realcoffee, I mean — served by actual people."
Jakob felt a grin slip across his face.
"Yeah. I'd… I'd like that a lot."
Chapter 5
Jakob thanked the driver again as he shut the car's door, leaning heavily on his cane.
