Page 20 of Let It Breathe
Eric’s eyes narrowed a little. “Reese?”
“Yeah,” Clay said, picking at his cookie and trying to look nonchalant.
“Not really. Sheila and I have been trying to get her to date again. Sheila wants to set her up with this guy she knows from work, but Reese keeps canceling.”
Clay broke off a piece of cookie, not sure why he couldn’t just drop the issue and talk about the Trail Blazers or Breaking Bad reruns or something. “I’m surprised she never remarried like you did. Her parents have always been so crazy about each other. Seems like with that sort of example?—”
“With that sort of example, Reese is a fucking basket case about marriage,” Eric said. “Her parents made it look too easy. Sorta like growing up with a dad who’s a tennis pro or a mom who’s a supermodel. All you can do is notice how far you fall short.”
Clay raised an eyebrow. “Does the doctorate in psychology just come with the enology degree, or did you pay extra for that?”
Eric gave him a look like he was an exceptionally dense child. “Jed and June have the world’s most perfect marriage. There’s no way Reese can match it, so she doesn’t bother trying.”
Clay nodded, not sure he followed the logic, but pretty sure Eric knew Reese better than he did. They both picked at the last of the cookie crumbs in silence.
“Why are you asking about Reese?” Eric said at last.
“No reason,” Clay said, determined to keep his tone light. “Just curious.”
“Because if you’re thinking of asking her out?—”
“Dude,” Clay said, looking up with an expression he hoped conveyed the right amount of horror. “Your ex-wife? Isn’t that like the number one rule in the guy code of ethics?”
Eric grinned. “It’s the one between not talking at the urinal and never sharing an umbrella with another guy.”
“No, I think it’s the one just before never watching men’s gymnastics on TV.”
“After the requirement that you be able to quote at least three lines from Rocky, though, right?”
“Yeah, but I think it’s before the one about making sure every guy hug is preceded by a bro handshake.”
“And never using the term YOLO.”
“Or setting your Facebook profile photo to a picture of your pets or kids.”
“And never making eye contact while eating a banana.”
“Exactly,” Clay said, relieved the familiar pattern of their banter had defused the awkwardness of the conversation.
But Eric wasn’t ready to drop it just yet. “It would be weird. You and Reese, I mean. It’s not just the man code. We’re friends. All three of us. You don’t shit where you eat, you know what I’m saying?”
“Your wife ever tell you you’ve got a real romantic way with words?”
“No.”
“Can’t imagine why.”
Eric fell silent a moment. He cleared his throat. “You’re not still sore about college, are you?”
Clay looked up. “What do you mean?”
“I know you kind of had the hots for Reese first, but then she and I got together and then?—”
“No,” Clay said, shaking his head for emphasis. “No.”
“Because I don’t want things to be weird.”
“Don’t be an idiot. We never even dated.”
