Page 81 of Daily Grind
“Brian, stay up there.” That from Justin. “I know I left you in a lurch when I went to work for Sam. Let me do this, as a friend.”
A sigh. Brian ran a hand through his hair. “Okay. But man, I really owe you one now.” Brian’s decision was probably influenced more by Justin than Rob, which hurt, but he’d take that if it meant they could have the rest of their day together.
A laugh. “Don’t worry about it, dude. This will scratch that itch for the barista experience.” A pause. “Now you two have fun.”
“All right. Thanks, Just.”
They hung up and Brian rested the phone and his other hand on his thighs and looked like he’d just run a marathon. Rob rose on aching shins and knees and shook his legs out. He held out a hand. “Can’t be comfortable kneeling there.”
Brian started and looked up. “Yeah, it’s not.” He took the offered hand and Rob pulled him up. “I still can’t believe Justin’s going to work the shop.”
“He seems like quite a nice man.”
A nod. “Best barista I ever had.” He glanced at the phone again and tucked it into his back pocket. “I wish I could find another like him. Or Miranda could expand her hours. Or Mark. Something.”
All that tension, back in Brian’s body. Rob resisted the urge to scream at the universe. It wasn’t fair—not to Brian. “The new people seem to be working out.”
They started down the path again. “Oh, they are. But it’ll take a while before any of them are ready to… well… be a manager.”
“Are you the only one at that level, then?” No one else? That seemed a recipe for burnout.
Brian kicked a stone down the path. “Pretty much. I trust Mark and Miranda to close and open, but they can’t work the hours I’d need for that position.”
And the new hires would take time to earn Brian’s trust. “Still, grooming one of them for that wouldn’t hurt.”
Another stone flew down the path. “Can wenottalk about this?” A clip to those words and a furrowed brow. “Let’s just… enjoy the walk.” That last bit was spoken through practically gritted teeth.
A lump formed in Rob’s throat. So much forthat. They did continue, but Rob’s mind wasn’t on the scenery or the shots he could take oranything.
He had made asuggestion. A mild one. His cheeks burned and he glanced at Brian.
Eyes downcast, Brian’s mouth was a thin line. Hands clenched at his side, knuckles white. Rob slowed to a stop.
A moment later, Brian did, too, and met Rob’s gaze. “I—I’m sorry. I can’t stop worrying.”
“I know.” He tried to keep the resignation from his voice, but Brian flinched, sothatwas an utter failure. Like this trip.
“I’m trying, Rob.”
Brian wasn’t, but on a certain level, Rob understood. He sighed, swung his camera out of the way, and pulled Brian into a hug. His stiff body melted a fraction. “The shop will be fine.”
“Justin shouldn’t be working there.”
Unspoken words hung around them.
“He wants the best for you.” Rob stroked Brian’s back. “So do I. Youdoneed a break once in a while.”
Brian pulled away. “I don’t have that luxury. This isn’t a nine-to-five gig.” He swallowed and looked up. “You knew that when you started dating me.”
Rob nodded. He had and had accepted it. Only it was hard watching someone you love work himself to death. For a moment, an image of his father flashed before his eyes. He turned away and studied the trail. “Do you want to go back?”
Silence but for the forest and the birds and the distant murmur of water.
He swung to face Brian. “Do you want to go back?” This time, he enunciated each word with force. He hadn’t intended to let his frustration show. But damn it, if Brian kept this up, he, too, would have a heart attack at fifty-one. Then where would Rob be? Sitting despondent at a kitchen table as well?
Brian’s face drained of blood and his hands uncurled. “I—yeah. I do. I need to.”
Yep. There was the stab to his heart. “All right.” He headed back the way they came. After a moment, Brian caught up, his posture heavy and worried.
