Page 133 of Feels Like Home

“Nope!”

“Uh huh. So, you have no input on why Christine is glowing these days? Even after you were a raging idiot and basically broke up withher.”

I roll my eyes but ignore the second part of his question. “Not aclue.”

“You’re so full ofshit.”

“And you’re so damnnosy.”

“I don’t deny that. See how that works? I don’t deny truth… you don’t denytruth…”

“You’re such a pain in myass.”

“Yet you still love me! Funny. I’m just that much of a likableguy.”

“What are we talking about in here?” Josh, says as he walks into his and Barrett’s jointoffice.

I groan, knowing that between the two of them, they won’t let up until I start divulging some information they think they’re privyto.

“Ah, just in time. Andy was just going to fill us in on why Christine is so happy and glowing these days. I mean, aside from the fact you pulled your head out of your ass and realized you were being ajackass.”

He just can’t let it go. “Thanks. I appreciate your kind words. And, no, I wasn’t about to sayanything.”

“Oh you were? Oh goody. I mean, we have our theories, but we would definitely prefer if you just told us the truth. It’s really an inconvenience, us always having to talk about it behind your back andall.”

They’re both leaning back in their office chairs that face each other in their office, only separated by their desks. Barrett chuckles, and I roll my eyes. The thing is, though, I really need to talk to someone about what’s happening. Because if I don’t, I’m likely to lose my shit, and that’s kind of the purpose of our meeting. I was the one who requested it, after all. But that doesn’t mean I want to give in so quickly. Watching these two squirm is morefun.

“You arehopeless.”

“Full. Hope-full. There’s a difference. We’re hopeful that you finally just tell us that Christine’spre…”

“Josh! Shut up, man! Let him tellus!”

I stand up from the chair I was sitting in and swipe my Dreamin’ Beans coffee cup off the table, making my way toward the door like I’m going to leave. Before I can make it three steps, they both spring out of their chairs and dart in my direction. Barrett puts his arm in front of the doorway like he’s going to block my exit. Josh moves to stand next tohim.

“No. Please. Don’t leave!” Josh’s voice is frighteningly close towhining.

“Yeah — come on, Andy! We’ll be good. And we’re vaults. We promise. Anything you tell us we keep asecret.”

I raise an eyebrow at his blatant lie. They’re the worst secret keepers in the world. “Why do you think there’s anything to even tellyou?”

They squint their eyes at me and I sigh, knowing I can’t justleave.

“Okay, fine!” I stomp over and sit downagain.

They tap their fists against each other’s in triumph without taking their eyes off me and close the door before they settle back in their chairs, moving them away from their desks and in front of me, leaning over with their elbows on theirknees.

Idiots.

“Christine… she mightbe…”

“Yeah? Yeah?” Josh says, leaning overfarther.

“Well, for a couple months now she hasn’t really been feeling the best,” Iadmit.

“Is she going to be okay? How long do you suppose this strange illness will last?” Barrett asks, thinking he’s sneaky. Spoiler alert: heisn’t.

“I don’t know. I guess it’s different for everyone. Some people are sick for longer, some only a short period oftime.”

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