Page 66 of College Town

The microwave beeps, and Natalia sets a steaming plate of pasta, chicken, and broccoli down in front of Tommy. Then a white enamel mug of decaf. She pats his shoulder in a friendly way, and he nods a silent thanks.

Lawson has the sense he’s witnessing a familiar routine for the two of them: a domestic tableau of the sort he always wanted when they were kids…but wreathed in melancholy. Dark with unfulfilled promise.

Natalia turns back to the counter and Tommy spears a hunk of chicken with his fork. Frowns at it.

Lawson feels unbearably awkward. He says, “You’re not really on some kind of diet, are you?”

Tommy glances up through his lashes, mouth tightening.

“’Cause you don’t need to be. You look great.” Lawson scratches at the back of his neck. “But I figure you already know that.”

Two slow-creeping spots of color bloom on Tommy’s cheeks. He averts his gaze and pops the chicken in his mouth. He chews, swallows, and his blush deepens. “You, too.”

Lawson freezes in the act of reaching for his glass again. “What?”

Tommy sighs down at his plate, and pushes food around with his fork. When he speaks, his voice is a particular shade of chagrined that Lawson remembers well. “What I said earlier. I shouldn’t have said it. I’m – I’m sorry,” he says, haltingly, and then, with the air of a man attempting something brave, he lifts his head and meets Lawson’s gaze. “You look good, too.” His eyes take a slow perusal down all of Lawson that’s visible above the counter, lingering on his shoulders, and his hands, and then his throat. Lawson swears a dozen old hickeys pulse and bleed afresh beneath the scrutiny. “Do you go to the gym or is that just…natural?”

“Uh…”

“You don’t–”

“Little of both.” Lawson’s face is on fire, but if there’s one thing he prides himself on, it’s his ability to meet Tommy’s challenges. This doesn’t sound like one, but it is, in its own way. “I mean, the bones are there. But I, uh, yeah, I go to the gym.”

Tommy’s eyes get a little wider, and then drop back to his plate. He nods.Good. Okay. Like he expected as much.

Lawson takes a long swallow of wine. “What about you? You don’t skip leg day, that’s for damn sure.”

Tommy chokes on his bite of pasta, and Lawson searches the kitchen for Natalia.

She’s gone. Sneaky sneak.

Tommy thumps himself in the chest and takes a swig of coffee. “Uh…” His cheeks are apple-red. “No. Yeah, no, I, um…I have a routine.”

His own face is flaming, but Lawson grins and needles, “Are squats a part of it.”

“Yes.” Tommy sounds angry, but color’s crawling down his throat and shining in the tips of his ears. Lawson knows that full-body blush: Tommy’s pleased that he’s noticed. Pleased that Lawson likes what he sees.

They’ve entered dangerous territory.

Lawson backs off. “Okay, so, no judgement or anything. But.Slim Fast?”

Tommy sighs and pushes his food around some more. He’s only had a couple bites and Lawson’s getting concerned. “It’s…” His next sigh is weary, and comes from somewhere deep in his chest. “Jesus, you sound like Noah.”

“Ew. I’ll accept sounding like Nat, but don’t tell me I sound like that jackass.”

Tommy shoots him a quick, startled smile, and then says, “I’m not on a diet. But I get busy. And eating is messy, and time-consuming.” He shrugs. “A lot of the time, it’s easier to have a shake.”

“And tasty, too.”

“Shut up,” Tommy says without heat. “It’s efficient.”

“Hm. Lots of shit’s efficient. That doesn’t make it worth living for.”

Tommy sends him a dark look and takes a pointed bite of pasta. Talks around it. “Don’t try to be sage. We both know you’re a dumbass.”

“Ouch.”

“Truth hurts, man.” Tommy twirls more pasta onto his fork and eats a little faster, and Lawson pats himself on the back for using their old banter to get him to relax enough to eat properly.

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