Page 2 of Alex
“Stoner.”
“Manwhore.”
“Backin a few,” he calls, the door squeaking shut behind him.
Ireally should oil that. I was never the handyman type, but since Ian and I havestarted learning DIY, I’ve learned to enjoy working with my hands. He boughtthis house on a whim, hoping to flip it for some cash and invest the profit,but the more we work on it, the more I’ve watched him fall in love with theplace. Plus, there’s Art. The house is a duplex, divided down the middle, andArthur lives in the other side. He’s over sixty and has lived there for years.Ian would never have the heart to put him out.
Crankingup the new Imagine Dragons album, I turn to cleaning the house. At least wedon’t have to cook. Ms. Den, the housemother at Striking Back, will probablybring enough food for an apocalypse. Plus, I’ve arranged for pizza delivery andEverly, my brother’s wife, is sure to bring a bunch of junk food. As if sheheard her name in my thoughts, Everly rings my phone and as usual, I have tosearch the house before locating it between the couch cushions.
“Hey,Alex,” she chirps when I finally hit accept. “Lose your phone again?”
“Iwas cleaning. What’s up, girly?”
“I’mnot girly,” she answers automatically before continuing. “Look, I have a friendI’d like to invite tonight, but I wanted to make sure it’s okay.”
Christ,not again. I put her on speaker and go on sweeping the kitchen. “Would thisfriend happen to be a single gay man looking for a happily ever after?”
“Well,he’s gay, but that’s a total coincidence.”
“Uh-huh.”I can hear my brother Mason’s voice rumble in the background. “Put me onspeaker, Ev.” When she complies, I tell on her. “Hey, brother, want to rein inyour woman? She’s at it again.”
“What?”Ev huffs. “I’m just inviting a friend.”
“Asingle gay friend,” I add, and Mason laughs.
“Whathave I told you about your matchmaking obsession?” he says, and the sound ofhim popping her on the ass is followed by Everly’s squeal. “No worries, littlebrother. It’ll just be family tonight.”
“Tattletale,”Ev says with a giggle.
Peekingout the window, I notice Ian struggling with two boxes. “Sounds good. I have togo. Ian’s bought out the liquor store.”
“Loveya,” Ev calls.
“Loveya. See you tonight.”
Cursesfollow Ian through the door, and he sighs when I relieve him of one box full ofliquor bottles. “Are we alcoholics tonight?” I ask, eyeing the additional boxsitting in the bed of my pickup.
“Thatone is full of soft drinks. Ev can’t drink, remember?”
“I’maware. I just got off the phone with her. She wanted to bring a friend.”
Laughing,Ian starts putting away the liquor. “Not real subtle is she?” Everly has beenIan’s best friend since they were kids and ended up in the same group home. Sheis the sweetest, most compassionate person I know, and I was thrilled when sheand Mason were married. I love her like a sister, but she can drive me crazy.Which is also like a sister, I guess. Her pregnancy hormones seem to have puther urge to find me a man into overdrive.
“Weshould invite Art,” Ian says. “He’ll be right next door and probably alone.”
“Fineby me.” I like Arthur. He’s nice, but you never know what might come out of hismouth.
“Plus,I’m bringing a date.”
Iangrins when I snort at the word “date”. “Any members of the nerd herd coming?”
Ianworks as an accountant, though you’d never think it by looking at him. Straightink black hair falls to his neck and over his ears. Though he wears a suit towork, he spends his free time in carpenter jeans and a fitted T-shirt. He hasthat rugged bad boy look that women love.
Hiswork buddies I’ve dubbed the nerd herd look like accountants. Cameron wearsthick glasses and I’ve never seen him not in slacks. Teddy is partial tosweater vests. I shit you not. Sweater vests. Wardrobe choices aside, they’renice guys, though I haven’t spent a lot of time with them. I haven’t spent muchtime with anyone lately.
“Theymay stop by later. Want to go grab some tacos for lunch?”
“Hell,yeah.” If bacon is Ian’s weakness, tacos are mine.
