Page 40 of Back to You

“Hi! Sorry to just drop in like this, but I just realized that my apartment needs cleaning. Which you wouldn’t think it would be that bad, I just cleaned it …” He trailed off. “Well, I cleaned it at some point. I think. Anyway, I was wondering if I can borrow your vacuum cleaner, because mine stopped working, and I don’t know how to fix it.”

“Try beating it up,” Brandon suggested from the couch.

“Huh. I guess I could, but I’d feel kind of bad? It’s one of those little robot cleaners. I named him Harold.”

“Sure Lake, you can borrow it. Hang on a sec.” Ethan went down the hall to the closet where they kept cleaning supplies.

“How are you doing?” Lake asked Brandon. “Feeling better about Ethan’s job now?”

“Yeah,” Brandon said. “I believe him when he says he’ll cut back. He wouldn’t lie to me.”

“I’m really happy for you guys,” Lake said, leaning over to hug Brandon. Brandon wasn’t much of a hugger, but he gamely allowed it.

“Back off my man, ho,” Ethan teased as he carried in the vacuum.

“He’s too scary for me,” Lake replied. “Besides, I’m not sure I even want a relationship at any point. Wouldn’t I have been interested in someone by now if I was going to be?”

Brandon had occasionally wondered what Lake’s deal was. He seemed completely uninterested in men or women, or really romance of any kind. Asexuality and aromanticism were both a possibility, but there was really no need to place a label on Lake. He was Lake. Anyone who met him would understand.

“Not necessarily,” Ethan said. “You could still meet someone you like. But even if you’re never interested in anyone, that’s okay. You are who you are, and that’s perfect.” Ethan was such a big brother to Lake, it was really sweet.

“Love you guys!” And with that Lake bounced out the door. Ethan shook his head, then grabbed the vacuum and chased after him.

***

Brandon and Marcus were practically buzzing.

They were really trying to keep control, but it was proving difficult. And now Michelle was giving both of them the hairy eyeball.

“What is with you two?”

“Nothing,” Brandon yelped. He cleared his throat and tried to relax. “I mean, really nothing. We’ve just been sampling new coffees to try out for the shop.”

“I’ve told you two about over-caffeinating. I’m going to make both of you run laps around the block if you don’t chill out.” And with that she sailed through the door to go back to her office.

“Good lie,” Marcus said.

“Thanks. I’m kind of surprised she bought it, usually she sees through all lies.”

Both men went back to staring at the door. A customer walked in and nearly turned right back around at the intensity on their faces.

“What time did he say he’d be here?” Marcus said.

“11.”

“And what time is it now?”

“9. Okay, we’ve gotta chill out.”

Brandon went back to the kitchen to bake more cookies and work off some of the anticipation he was feeling. If he happened to be making his famous double chocolate chunk cookies that he only made once a week, well, that was just a happy accident.

Marcus stuck his head in the door. “Oh my God, there’s nothing left to clean out here. I’ve cleaned everything like five times. We need the health inspector to come right now, it’s the perfect time because it is so clean.”

“Go draw on the walls, maybe that will help.”

Marcus must have decided that was a good idea because he ducked back out the door.

Brandon figured cleaning was a good idea, so he began loading the dishwasher and scrubbing countertops. Why was time going so slow?!

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