Page 33 of For All It's Worth
Relief flooded me that Henry wasn’t offended.
“Maybe we can see how we get on living together and see about a dog later? Not that we’ll be together as a couple, but like two guys who might want a pet to keep them company,” Henry rushed to say.
I laughed as Henry started to ramble. “I get what you’re saying man, chill a sec. Have you run this by Will?” I wanted to be sure that this wasn’t going to be crossing any lines. Henry was, after all, Will’s friend first, no matter how well Henry and I got along.
“Why would I need to?”
“He was your friend first. That sounds so kindergarten, but y’know what I mean.” I wasn’t getting into the middle of friendships. I’d run me working at the gym by Will and he’d loved the idea, or more likely, Andy had loved it, and he’d been made to agree.
There was a pause on the line. “Look, I’ve got something to confess.” Henry sounded strained like he was worried he was about to offend me.
“If you are about to confess to keeping an eye on me for my brother, I already know about that.”
“You do?”
“Yeah, Andy told me that Will had asked you to when we had a family dinner the other night.”
There was a relieved breath on the line. “Okay, cool. So Will knows how much your mom has been on your case and he suggested it. Said it’d be good for us both.”
“He did, huh?”
“Yeah. So…you’re at Books & Biscuits tomorrow, aren’t you?” I let him turn the subject away from that uncomfortable subject.
“Yeah, therapy in the morning and then an afternoon shift with Max.”
“I’ve never been, so I thought I could come in and give you the keys and address, maybe get a coffee and meet Max since I’m sure I’ll see more of him with us being roommates.”
“Sounds good to me. Max has been wanting to meet you but he’ll never set foot in a gym by choice.”
As expected, Henry laughed, and the deep chuckle made me smile.
