Page 19 of Everything's Better With You
“We hadn’t gotten around to a full renovation of Higdon Hall yet. That was going to be next year, but we do have two vacant apartments downstairs. The upper floors are used for student housing and there are RAs assigned on those levels. The second floor is for visitors, but the first floor has the head resident’s place and two additional units with kitchenettes and private baths. It’s not as nice—”
“I’m sure it will be fine.”
Joe might have come off as a diva onDance Machine, but he didn’t want Leslie or any of the Paytons to think of him that way. He’d made the choice to make this move, and he was determined to be a team player.
“You sure? I—thank you for understanding,” Barry said, relief evident as his shoulders lowered. “Leslie will show you the units. Youcan pick which one you’d like and we can get maintenance in to clean—”
“It’s fine. I can take care of cleaning. I know you have much bigger issues to deal with.”
Everyone looked at him in surprise. What, like he didn’t know how to use a mop?
“Thank you, Joe. I really appreciate it. Let us know if there’s anything you need or if anything isn’t in working order.”
There was an awkward silence and then everyone launched into action. Barry and the twins left in a golf cart, Marti and Terrence each grabbed a couple of Joe’s bags, and Joe and Les stood staring at each other.
“You’re really here,” Leslie breathed almost as if he didn’t intend for Joe to hear him. “Thank you. For being so understanding. Barry was very worried. He knows what you are giving up to be here.”
“Giving up? Oh, you mean the tour. Yeah, it’s not a huge deal.”It most certainly is. Going out on tour with Lady Gaga was definitely a big deal, but Joe wasn’t sure his body could handle the grueling schedule. It was better that he focus on other endeavors before everyone else knew that he couldn’t do it anymore. “Besides, I already agreed to come. A measly tornado wasn’t going to keep me away.” He gave an exaggerated eye roll that made Leslie laugh.
“Did you want to give us the key?”
Marti and Terrence were back and had grabbed the last of Joe’s things. Time had a way of standing still when Joe was with Leslie and everything else around them went on unnoticed.
Leslie fumbled with the keys while his already ruddy cheeks burned redder.
“I’ve got it, sorry.”
Joe followed him and took a deep breath, trying to hide his anxiety about this change in plans.
Higdon Hall, built in 1899 after the administrative building was finished, hadn’t been used for housing while Joe was a student. He recalled a Halloween social being held in the dark and creepy lounge on the second floor at one point, but the building hadn’t been needed back then as the population of students had been smaller than at its peak. Hedid like all of the old-fashioned dark wood and figured it should be quiet enough.
As he glanced around the large lobby with high ceilings and wood floors, his heart grew considerably lighter. It was a great space. A wide staircase ascended in front of the doors and there was a common room behind it with a large bank of windows.
“The two apartments are down this way,” Les said. “They’re identical in layout so I suppose it would depend on if you want the morning light or you want to be on the side of the student entrance.”
“Maybe not the entrance side?”
Les nodded and turned left halfway down the hall. “It’ll be bright in the mornings. We can order some heavier curtains if you need—”
“I’m sure it will be fine,” Joe said, getting a kick out of Les fussing over him.
“We’re going to take off,” Marti said. “Let me know if you need anything.”
She and Terrence smiled at Joe, but it was obvious they were concerned. Marti sometimes let her supermomming bleed over to Joe and he wasn’t always mad about it. Right now, though, he wanted to be a real grown-up in front of Leslie.
“Thanks,” Joe said, leaning in to kiss her on the cheek and give her a quick hug. “I know that was a long trip in one day.”
Terrence shook his head. “We stayed in KC last night. Not a problem at all. See you soon.”
Joe didn’t miss his knowing smile as they shook hands.
Marti had known that Joe and Les had history, and after he took the job, of course he’d let her in on the true depth of his fixation over a Facetime call his last week in New York.
“Joe,” she’d said with mock seriousness. “I’m your best friend and that’s why I’m putting it to you straight. You know the man wears a mullet?”
Joe had burst out laughing. “And I seem to recall Terrence still wore hisFresh Prince of Bel Airlook when we were in school complete with the overall strap hanging down.”
“He did not,” she’d protested, but she’d laughed at the honest truth. “Okay, his fashion might be dated, but he makes up for it in other ways.”
