Page 73 of Back to You

“No.”

“Rats.”

Ethan smiled as he followed Brandon into the kitchen. “Still trying to keep Lake’s head from exploding, I see.”

“Yeah, he’s going to stroke out one day from excessive caffeine.”

Ethan jammed his hands in his pockets as he and Brandon stared at each other.

“So, I’m happy to see you not at work.”

“Yeah, my therapist gives me homework each week. This week was to take off at 5 a couple of nights.”

“Why?”

“She says I need to retrain my brain to not go to the worst case scenario any time I’m not at the office.”

“That’s awesome, Ethan. I’m so glad you’re getting help.”

“Yeah, it’s been good.” The silence fell then. Ethan had no idea how to break it.

“What brings you in?” Brandon said.

“Oh, I didn’t know what to do with my free time, so Nia suggested a hobby. You remember how I always wanted to learn to play guitar?”

“Yeah, I remember you talking about that, but you never had the time.”

“Since I’m having to make time for myself now, I figured I could try taking lessons. I wanted to ask Marcus for recommendations on teachers.”

A slight shadow fell across Brandon’s face. “Ah. So you came to see Marcus?”

“Yeah.” Brandon looked down at his feet, and something compelled Ethan to say, “But I always want to see you too.”

Brandon’s head came up, and he smiled softly at Ethan. “I miss you.”

“I miss you, too.”

The silence this time was less charged, calmer.

“What have you been up to, lately?” Ethan said.

“Mostly the same stuff. I’ve started volunteering at the humane shelter.”

“How is that?”

Ethan listened as Brandon told him some of the tales of the shelter, laughing at the story of Muffin the rabid chihuahua.

“Thankfully Max took him home and I don’t have to deal with his ass anymore.”

“Who is Max?”

“He’s another volunteer at the shelter. We’ve become friends.” Brandon stopped, then said, “He’s actually who you saw me with at that coffee shop.”

“Oh.”

“We’re just friends.”

“I know …” Ethan trailed off. “I know you won’t be single forever, Brandon.”

---