Page 38 of The Hang Up

“How are you keeping busy? Do you miss it?”

“Honestly? I do miss it. I was good at it.”

“Really?” Brock asked. He glanced away quickly and started eating again as if the answer didn’t matter.

“Are you asking if I really miss it? Or if I was good at it?” I teased. I used to tease Brock, right? This was totally normal behavior.

“I was asking if you miss it,” he said, biting back a grin. “You were obviously good at it.” Then I thought he mumbled, “You’re good at everything.” But I couldn’t be sure.

“Don’t let him fool you,” Mitch said, spooning more potato salad on his plate. “He still works plenty hard.”

“Wait. Are you still working, Dad?” Sean frowned at me. And my pulse rose faster than the Dow Jones in December. That look on his face used to be the precursor for a major fight. I braced myself for impact.

“He started a nonprofit,” Brock said. “Not exactly the same as working late hours in an office or even doing back-breaking manual labor.” His cheeks were pink, and I hoped to hell everyone thought that was from an afternoon in the sun and not Brock thinking of our late night together or the backache I’d gotten from it.

Then I realized everyone had gone quiet and was staring at Brock.

“How do you know that?” Sean asked, darting looks between his best friend and me.

Brock glanced around the table, seeming to just now realize how his words had sounded. “Forbes ran a story on it.From Making Millions to Giving Away Millions—or something like that. Don’t you people read?”

Mitch chuckled. “I have a copy if anyone is interested.”

“Shut up, Mitch,” I said for the umpteenth time that day. I had a feeling the count would go well into triple digits before the day was over. “How’s work going, Regina?”

“Nice try,” she said, pointing her fork at me. “Tell us more about this nonprofit.”

“I don’t—”

“He doesn’t like to brag on himself, so I’ll tell you—and no, Joshua, I will not be quiet. Joshua has been doing charity work for years, but since starting Cassean Children’s Charities, he’s focused mostly on providing support for at-risk kids. Cassean is currently working with rural hospitals to help provide support to kids with frequent or extended hospitalizations. All the details haven’t been worked out yet, but the organization will help provide emotional support—someone to spend time with kids who might not have anyone. This is especially important for kids in the foster care system. Sometimes, their social workers visit them in the hospital, but they can’t spend the time needed because they don’t have it. Kids end up alone much of the time, and”—he cleared his throat, and Todd put a hand on his back—“families either aren’t involved or can’t be involved. Joshua’s program will help give those children support and hope for the future. Cassean will also assist hospitals in developing grants that will sustain the program long-term. Kids with specialized medical or mental health needs and kids in the foster care system are some of the most marginalized groups of at-risk kids in the country. And that’s not taking into account the number of kids who are also LGBTQ+. Those kids are more likely—”

“Mitch.” My face felt like it was on fire. I no longer had chill, as Brock would say. When had that happened?

My assistant stared at his hands. “Sorry. I get carried away. But I’m proud of all the good you’re doing—”

“We’re doing. You’re a big part of this, Mitch—” I stopped myself from elaborating. That was Mitch’s story to tell. All the years in and out of the hospital…and foster care. Trying to make the most of a difficult life.

He nodded as he stood. “Excuse me.”

I glanced over at Todd. He was already on his feet and headed inside.

After Mitch escaped to the house, everyone grew quiet. Some started eating again. I glanced up and noticed Regina watching me, her eyes soft. “That’s amazing.”

I shrugged. “I needed to stay busy, and I like doing something good.” I didn’t mention I was atoning for all the bad I had done.

“Are you doing anything else to stay busy?” she asked, a sparkle in her eye. “Having fun?”

There was a point somewhere in her question, but I wasn’t sure what it was. I could tell what others thought it was. Sean obviously thought she was flirting with me because he had a self-satisfied smirk on his face. Brock was stabbing his chicken as if he could kill it all over again. I didn’t doubt Regina was interested, but I wasn’t convinced that was what this was. Why hadn’t I planned this out? I used to plan everything. Should I say I was dating someone? And if I did, would Sean want to know who?

“I invited him to game night,” Ben said, coming to my rescue. “I mean, when we start game night again.”

“I’m not sure you’re ready.” Sean studied him for a moment, then turned back to his burger. “Maybe Regina would want to join us.”

Could he be any more obvious?

“Maybe. Although I’m not really into games.” Her eyes went to Brock, and she shrugged with a little smile. “I could give it a try.”

Mitch returned then, holding Todd’s hand. His eyes were a little red. But he acted the same as always, engaging people and getting them to laugh. He was good at that.

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