Page 3 of Numbers Boy
Stu ignores the jab and tosses his phone down in favor of starting his car, grinning widely at having caused a little chaos. I laugh as the guys continue to rib each other, only half paying attention as I scroll through the pictures we took at the shelter. I choose one of me and Stacy to post to my Instagram and settle back into my seat, happy with the step I took today to get my life back.
HAVING STACY AThome with me is amazing. I love getting to cuddle up with her in the evenings, and she’s the perfect excuse to go for walks. Although, with it being January in Wisconsin, I am a bit envious of her thick fur coat when it takesme ten minutes to get bundled up for our evening stroll to the dog park.
As I throw her tennis ball again with slightly frozen fingers, I realize that I might need to figure out who is going to do this on nights that I’m rehearsing or performing, since one of the other ways I’m taking back my life is by starting to do drag again.
Drag was something I really enjoyed doing in college. I loved the power I felt while performing, the high of being this person who was all of my boldest parts amplified for the audience. It was also one of the things that got the most snide comments from Adam. Eventually, the fun wore off because I didn’t feel like I could share that part of me with the person who should have been supporting me the most.
Now that Adam is out of the picture, I’m resurrecting my drag persona and taking back that little bit of power. Right now, I’ve only got a few Sunday brunches lined up, but it’s a start. And as I get more and more into it, I’m going to have to make sure I’m not slacking on doggy daddy duties.
I know Stu and the rest of the Working Boys will help out in a pinch, but I can’t ask them to do it all the time. They have their own lives. I pull out my phone, grinning as Stacy starts chasing her tail. Seeing her so happy is worth the fact that I can barely feel my fingers and the air hurts my face. Thank god for gloves that work on touchscreens.
Me: Hey, I’m going to start looking into dog walkers for nights that I have practice and performances. If you hear of anything that might work, lmk
Stu-boo: You got it
Stu-boo: Btw, I’m super excited to see you perform again. I’ve missed Eve
I grin down at my screen, a warm feeling filling me at my friend’s support. Over the past year, all of my friends have encouraged me to keep doing the things I love, but it was reallyhard once we graduated and they weren’t there all the time. Once I finally got it in my head that Adam had changed me in ways that I wasn’t okay with and was continuing to make things worse, they all rallied behind me while I got my shit together. None more so than Stu. He’s been my ride-or-die since elementary school, and this past year has been no different. I can’t wait to see them all in the audience of my first gig back. Because I know, no matter how rusty my skills might be, they love me no matter what.
Me: Honestly, me too
CHAPTER TWO
Noah
I PLOP DOWNa pile of flyers on the table by my front door and toe off my boots after a long day of trekking around the streets of Prairie Dawn. While I love my job, I could do without the ice and snow that comes every winter and makes my face hurt whenever I have to take a client out for a walk. But I suppose that’s what I get for starting a dog walking business in Wisconsin. You’d think I’d be used to it, having grown up here, but that winter wind is something I don’t think I’ll ever grow accustomed to. At least I’ll have no reason not to put those flyers up tomorrow since I can just put up a few wherever I go with various clients.
After I peel off my gloves and outer jacket, I stick my thumbs into the holes on my hoodie sleeves and head sock-footed into the kitchen to make myself a tea. The nice thing about living in a place where the air hurts your face half the year? Cozy clothes and hot beverages. And as much as my best buddy, Blake, and I complain about the weather, I know neither of us would ever move.
Speaking of Blake, when is he supposed to be home today? I glance at our shared calendar on the fridge and see that he had his final walk scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Checking my watch, I groan when I see that it’s only five o’clock. Stupid early sunsets. On the bright side, that means Blake should be home soon. Igrab a second mug and add his favorite tea bag so it’s ready when he gets here.
Carefully, I pick up my tea and make my way back to the living room and settle onto the couch, immediately pulling the plush blanket off the back once I sit down. I may look tough with my tattoos and burly exterior, but I’m a freeze-baby, damn it! The only thing that could make this nest of warmth better would be a pup of my own. Or better yet, a partner to snuggle up with.
Blake and I have floated the idea of getting a dog, but with both of us spending most of our time helping other people make sure their pets are loved and well taken care of, we wouldn’t have enough time to have our own. Not to mention, our tiny shoebox of an apartment would barely fit a Yorkie or Chihuahua, much less a pittie or any kind of shepherd dog, and big dogs tend to be our favorites.
And as for the partner, for some reason, everyone looks at me and thinks I’m going to want to take them hard and fast. But that’s not my style at all, so the physical side of things tends to fizzle out pretty quickly. Plus, I’ve had a lot of people, guys especially, get weirded out when I tell them that, not only do I run a business with my best friend, but I live with him, too. It’s like they expect us to both be secretly in love with the other and don’t want to get caught in the middle. Well, except for that one guy who wanted to literally be caught in the middle. And that’s all kinds of nope. I love Blake, I do, but on a purely platonic level.
So, neither type of companion, canine or human, is going to happen anytime soon. Which means for now, I’ll make do with my teas and blankets.
My thoughts of snuggle buddies are interrupted when my phone buzzes in my pocket. I fish it out and open it to find a text from my sister.
Amy: Hello, my most favorite-est brother in the whole wide world
Me: What do you need, my wonderfully annoying older sister?
Amy: Any chance you could babysit the girls for a few hours tomorrow? Work offered up some overtime, but I have to get them from their after-school clubs at 5:30.
I open up the digital version of the calendar Blake and I have with all of our client appointments, but I already know I’m going to say yes. My sister works her ass off to take care of herself and her two girls, so watching them for a few hours every now and again is nothing. My nieces mean the world to me, although they’re probably another one of the top reasons my relationships haven’t worked out in the past, second only to my close friendship with Blake. I’ve always said that any potential partner I have will have to be okay with kids, even if we don’t have any of our own, because there’s no way I could go more than a few days without seeing Isabella and Lilly. Plus, they’re super cute and love hanging out with me and Blake. Fortunately, we somehow don’t have anyone on the schedule at all, so I won’t even have to worry about convincing them to go on a walk with me.
Me: Not a problem. My night is completely clear after 5 tomorrow. Do you want me to bring them to your place or hang out with them here?
Amy: Thank you, thank you, thank you! You really are the best brother.
Amy: And whichever is easiest for you. They’ll have their backpacks and things with them, so they shouldn’t need anything from home.
Me: Sounds good. I’ll probably bring them back to mine since it’s closer
Amy: *heart emoji* They’re going to be so excited when I tell them
