Page 123 of Daily Grind
Something creaked on the other end—probably Len on his hotel bed. “You need to figure out what’s important to you.” Despite the mundane background noises, Len sounded like some old sage. Fucking older brothers. They had a habit of beingright.
Still, he protested. “I’ve spentyearsbuilding up the shop.” Not quite ten, but man, he was getting close. He blinked back tears again. If Grounds N’at closed, he’d lose a good chunk of his life.
“And you’ve known Rob for a few months,” Len said.
Time that felt so much longer. From the moment Rob had stepped into Brian’s life, he’d become part of his bones and blood. He’d never believed in love at first sight—but man,somethinghad happened that day. A connection. A bonding. They’d built and built on that foundation, working toward something utterly beautiful. Then he’d torn it all down to ruin with his anger and insecurity.
“Are you saying Rob should come second to the shop?” That wasn’t like Len. Especially when he’d cautioned Brian about working too many hours and burning out.
“No.” Annoyance there. “I’m saying you need to figure out what’s important to you. Rob or the shop?”
“They’re both important!” He wanted to lob his phone across the room. He stood instead and paced. “God, the shop’s been my life, even before I owned it. And Rob—Rob is—” His friend. His lover. His partner. Or had been.
Brian’s gaze fell on the photo of his family that sat next to his computer. One from a summer day, not so different from today, back when they were younger. His parents sat on the porch steps, arms over each other’s shoulder, both grinning ear to ear. They were flanked by Brian and Len, with Zoe on the steps below them.
His mom and dad had worked damn hard for years—but always put family above everything. His mom worked third shift to be there when they got home from school. Dad worked days to get them up and out. Sacrificed for what mattered most, especially when Len had gotten into trouble. The money for attorneys. Therapy.
The heart of family is the people you love. Brian. When everything else is gone, they’re still there for you.
Rob. He exhaled. “I know what’s important.”
Len’s voice was warm. “I had a feeling you did. Bet you know what to do now, too.”
Yeah. The haze and noise in his head were gone. “I owe you one.”
Len chuckled. “I’ll put that IOU with the others.”
Brian laughed, and for once, it didn’t sound like a sob.
“Hey,” Len said, “I should catch some sleep. I have an early morning flight to the West Coast.”
“God, Len, I’m so glad you called.”
“Hey, what are big brothers for?”
Apparently talking sense into him. “Let me know when you’re back in town. We can catch a beer together.”
“My treat,” Len said.
“We can fight over it.” Probably would, too. They said their good-byes, and Brian hung up and slid the phone onto his desk.
His heart wasn’t pounding. Maybe this was the eye of the hurricane—calm and centered. If the shop fell down, he’d survive. Hell, he’d survive if Rob didn’t want to get back together. Be horribly heartbroken, yes. Probably for years.
But he’d never forgive himself if he didn’t try.
Time to see if he could clean up the mess he’d made. How and when, he didn’t know. The schedule had him working every day from now until eternity, including all day tomorrow. Alone.
Brian stared at the photo of his family.Family. Love.
He closed his eyes. Time to take a chance.
* * *
Brian unlockedGrounds N’at the next morning, disabled the alarm, and relocked the door. He hadn’t slept, his head too full of Rob and the conversation he’d had with his brother. When his alarm blared out at six thirty, he’d shut it off and gone through his normal routine with all the things he wanted to say to Rob tumbling through his head.
He should wait for Saturday, since he wasn’t working in the morning and neither was Rob. He could go down to Rob’s house, ring the bell, and apologize in person, though he wasn’t sure he had the right words to say.
I fucked up. I’m an asshole. I love you. Please take me back.Yeah, that would go over well. Sure.
