Page 96 of The Manny

I was helping to take down one of the concession tents, when Thomas approached with a very tired-looking Mia. I wiped sweat from my brow with the back of my arm, and made myself face Thomas. “You taking off?” I asked gruffly.

“Yeah. Mia is asleep on her feet.” He gave a weak smile. “Me too, for that matter.”

“Okay, well, drive safe.” I turned away from him, well aware I was being brusque. When in doubt, I couldn’t seem to help shutting people out. It was a defense mechanism I had trouble controlling.

He gave a grunt of frustration. “So, will you be home soon, Jack?”

“No. I’ve got a lot of breaking down to do.”

“Should I put dinner in the fridge for you then?”

“Sure.”

“Right. Okay.” He sighed. “Well, I guess I’ll see you when I see you.”

“Yep.” I focused on the metal pole I had in my hand. I heard his footsteps receding, and I glanced over my shoulder. He was now carrying Mia, and she had her eyes closed.

I straightened and watched them leave the parking lot. I knew he was probably confused and frustrated with me right about now. That made two of us. Perhaps meeting Gus today had been the wake-up call I’d needed though. I was getting way too close to Thomas lately. He slept in my bed almost every night. I thought about him all the time, and days when I didn’t get to see much of him, were depressing. I was beginning to actually depend on him, and that was terrifying.

Exhaling tiredly, I went back to working on the pole I held. When had I become the kind of guy who fixated on my feelings? I was becoming downright sappy. What Thomas and I had was supposed to be super casual. So, why did I allow myself to obsess about him? I even had trouble falling asleep on nights he didn’t join me in my bed. How pathetic wasthat? I sighed again, feeling irritated with myself.

“Something eating at you, boss?” Brody asked. He was working a few feet away from me.

I glanced over. “Not particularly,” I lied.

“You keep sighing.”

“Really?”

“Yep.” He smiled.

“I didn’t realize.” I shrugged. “I’m probably just tired.”

“Well, it was a long day. I can see why.” He straightened. “It was nice seeing Mia today. She sure is cute as a button.”

“Yeah.”

“She seems very fond of Thomas.”

“Yep. He spends a lot of time with her.”

“True. Plus, Thomas is the kind of guy everyone likes.” He hammered at a stubborn joint on the tent, the head of the tool clanging loudly against the metal rod. “Before I met him, I pictured him completely different. Thomas was not what I was expecting.”

I glanced over at him. “What’s your point?”

He shrugged. “I’m not making a point. I’m simply saying Thomas is a cool guy.”

“Yeah, he is.” I went back to work, feeling annoyed, but not quite sure why. Brody wasn’t wrong, Thomas was the kind of person everyone liked. He was charming as hell. Even I’d fallen for his charms.

Apparently me and everyone else he’s worked for.

Brody straightened and he set his hammer down. “Can I make an observation, boss?”

I frowned. “I suppose so.”

“It’s kind of personal.”

I too straightened, feeling uneasy. “It’s about me?”

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