Page 39 of Reaching Roland

“I go into the city to work, Knight. I don't have time to run over to the salon unless I need a haircut.”

I pointed to where Joshua's face appeared on my screen and said, “Which you do, by the way.”

Ace chuckled. “You tell him, Kenny.”

“Joshua, all I'm saying is?—”

“Hey! This is supposed to be about me,” I said, cutting Knight off.

Knight glared at me. “Oh, don't worry. I have plenty to say to you. What do you mean you were hanging out with a straight guy? For fuck’s sake, Kenny. How many times are you going to let your heart get broken before you knock that shit off?”

Ace held up his hands. “Why don't we all just calm down and let Kenny explain?”

“Thank you, Ace,” I said gratefully. I should’ve called him first. He was the calmest of the four of us. We were the most alike with my eternal optimism and his jovial nature.

About that time, my phone alerted me to an incoming text. I checked and saw that it was Will.

Will:I'm here. What's up?

Me:I'm talking to the guys on a video call now.

Will:Tell them I said hi.

I refocused on the screen and said, “Will says hi.”

Joshua groaned. He was such a sourpuss sometimes. Okay, most of the time. “Are you seriously texting someone else right now?”

“Tell him I said hi back,” Ace said. Knight gave me an up-nod. I assumed that was a hello.

Me:Knight and Ace said hi, but Joshua is too busy being pissed that I'm texting instead of telling them about Roland.

I focused my attention back on my friends. “Okay, so, well, Roland was one of my clients at the salon. Well, actually, he still is. I met him at Christmas time when I was playing the elf at the Christmas party at the Takoda Outreach Center. Remember, I told you I met a sexy silver fox that day?”

Ace nodded his head, but Knight and Joshua only shrugged. Figured they hadn’t been paying attention.

“Anyway, he started coming into the salon in January.”

“January?” Knight asked. “Why is this the first we’ve heard of him then?”

My phone beeped again, so I glanced down.

Will:What about Roland? Don't leave me in suspense.

I wonder if he was playing like he didn’t know again like last time, or if Roland hadn't mentioned it to Cameron and Indie yet? There was no way Indie would keep that information to himself if he knew.

Me:Tell me the truth. Do you already know?

Will:Know what?

Knight cleared his throat impatiently. “Kenny, we need you to stop texting and focus. I’m worried.

“Sorry, guys.” Joshua was bent over, so I said, “Joshua, are you ready?” It wasn’t like I had any right calling him out when I kept texting Will, but still. This was big news. Huge.

He looked up guiltily and flushed. “Sorry, I was working on a contract for work when you asked if we could talk.”

“Joshua, buddy, it's nighttime. You need to relax,” Ace said with concern. We all worried about Joshua and his workaholic tendencies. He’d built his own little empire, but it had come at a price. Ace smiled. “Okay, Kenny, tell us what has you so excited.”

So I did. I told them everything about Roland, except personal details that were his alone to share. I told them about Thursday nights at The Tap Tavern and family dinners on Sunday nights. I recounted the Strawberry Festival and our trips to the Farmers’ Market. I gushed about how helpful he was to everyone he knew, and how he had a chosen son he adored, who wanted him to quit his job and start his own handyman business. I told them everything, ending with him asking me out and our first kiss under the brilliance of the fireworks.

---