Page 72 of Back to You

“You could just ask him for a recommendation, he doesn’t have to be the one teaching you. I’m loving this idea! Please do this, Ethan. It’ll be so good for you.”

Ethan smiled at his friend. He continued to marvel at his luck in finding Nia and Lake, and having them in his life. “I think I will.”

***

Lake bobbed along the sidewalk next to Ethan. “You sure you’re ready for this?” he said.

“I’m ready.”

“I’m proud of you,” Lake said.

“Thank you. And thank you so much for everything you’ve done and are doing to help me. I wouldn’t be where I am now without you.”

Lake blushed lightly and smiled. “You’ve been there for me plenty of times. That’s what besties do.”

Ethan threw an arm around Lake’s shoulders and squeezed. “I appreciate the moral support, here.”

“Anytime.”

It was the first day that Ethan had left work at 5. He’d noticed a few raised eyebrows as he walked out the door, but no one had said anything. He hadn’t gotten any phone calls asking where he was, or enraged emails demanding his return.

Maybe there was something to Sarah’s homework assignment after all.

They stopped at the door to the cafe, Lake’s hand coming up to touch his shoulder. “It’ll be okay,” he said.

Ethan took a deep breath and walked back into Brandon’s coffee shop for the first time in months. Everything was exactly how it had always been, and Ethan’s breath left him in a rush.

Marcus stood behind the counter, openly gaping at Ethan. “Jesus.”

“Hey Marcus.”

Marcus stepped around the counter to give Ethan a bro-hug. “How are you, man?”

Ethan sighed in relief. He’d been afraid of Marcus hating him. “I’m getting there, you know?”

“I do know. Uh,” he said, glancing back at the kitchen. “Are you looking for Brandon?”

“Actually, I’m here to see you.”

Marcus was visibly shocked to hear it. “Me?”

“Yeah. I’m looking for a hobby, and I’ve always wanted to play guitar. Can you recommend anyone to teach me?”

Lake stepped up to pat him on the back as Marcus stared. “Uh, yeah, I can think of a few people off the top of my head. Hang on, I’ll write down their info.”

Marcus went back behind the counter just as the kitchen door banged open. “Marcus, where is the …” Brandon trailed off as he spotted them. “Ethan.”

“The Ethan is right there, Brandon,” Marcus smarted off, glancing nervously between the two.

“Hey Brandon,” Ethan said, feeling Lake’s hand gripping his shoulder.

“Hey,” Brandon said softly. Then he glanced at the clock on the wall. “You left work at a decent hour.”

“Yeah, it’s …” He didn’t want to say it was homework from his therapist out in the middle of the cafe.

“Here, come on back. Marcus, don’t give Lake any more than one shot — he’s already had four of those disgusting lattes this week.”

“Oh come on!” Lake whined. “I haven’t had one in two days.”

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