Page 15 of This Time Around

“I’ll tell him. How much do I owe you for a service call?”

“Don’t worry about it, kid. I’ve known you since you were in diapers.” Paul and my father had been best friends since elementary school. In fact, for most of my life I had called him Uncle Paul. “So, you think things will finally work out between you and Milo?”

“Why do you ask?” I questioned, narrowing my eyes suspiciously. Was he trying to get details to take back to my folks?

Paul shrugged and said, “I know a guy.” He used his best Tony Soprano voice, which sent mixed signals.

“I don’t want to take a hit out on Milo,” I replied dryly. My frustration had soared to heights I never knew existed, but I hadn’t lost my fucking mind…yet.

Paul threw his head back and laughed. “My Tony impression doesn’t really fit this situation. I meant that I know a guy you might like.”

“To date?”

“Yes, date.” Paul rolled his deep-brown eyes and shook his head. “My nephew came out a while back. Good kid, hard worker, and handsome if I do say so myself. He works for me, so you’ll probably meet him eventually anyway. I can make that happen sooner, if you like.”

“I appreciate it, but—”

“I know, buddy. It’s plain to see on your face when you look at him. I hope you guys can work out your differences.”

“Thanks, Paul.”

I stuck around after Paul left because I had nowhere else I needed to be and no one to spend my evening with. As was my habit, I buried my misery in my work. At least with construction projects, I could see the results of my efforts. Not saying I wouldn’t have similar results if I’d chosen to come clean to Milo, but I wasn’t willing to risk putting myself out there only to have him reject me. Or worse, pity me. I’d rather him hate me for the rest of his life. I had fucked up in some major ways, but I came out stronger for it.

Work was my therapy, and I fully embraced the physical labor and sweat equity that went into my job. I lost track of how long I hung drywall in the fourth apartment, but my growling stomach told me it was much later than it liked. I was too frustrated to eat at lunch and chose to work through, so I could finish earlier and find some peace away from Milo. What happened? I ended up staying later and was still no closer to getting away from Milo, emotionally or physically.

I thought we were getting somewhere when I walked him to his car and he confessed why Tucker accepted he had no future with Milo. Now, it might’ve been arrogant on my part to assume that I was the reason why Tuck kept striking out, but I wasn’t afraid to make an ass out of myself. I was immensely pleased to hear Milo say the words when pushed, but it really didn’t change anything.

He still wanted to know why I’d been away so long; I wasn’t ready to talk about it. Fresh start meant a fresh start. Maybe I was naïve to think I could reinvent myself in my hometown, but that didn’t change my desire to be here. I’d faced down my demons and was ready to move forward. I hoped my future included Milo in it, but maybe I was asking for too much. I could understand where Milo’s frustration was coming from.

My phone rang, interrupting my latest internal debate. I saw it was the other Miracle twin calling me. “Hey, Maegan.”

“Go home, Andy.”

“I thought you’d appreciate a contractor that works day and night to get the job done,” I replied.

“I do appreciate how hard you work, but I’m more concerned that you’re pushing yourself too hard. Did Milo bitch about the project taking too long or something?”

“No,” I replied. “Does he think I’m taking too long?”

“Absolutely not, but I know how he likes to push your buttons. Seems you pushed a few of his today too.”

“Maybe,” I admitted grudgingly.

“Look, I’m not judging you, and Milo probably had it coming. That doesn’t mean you work yourself to death. Okay?”

“I appreciate the concern.”

“Have you eaten dinner?”

“Um, no. I was getting ready to wrap things up,” I lied.

“Uh huh,” Maegan said, sounding unconvinced. “Elijah and I worked late too, so why don’t you join us for dinner? I have a wild idea, and I probably need you to talk me out of it.”

“Umm.”

Maegan laughed heartily at my discomfort. “For fuck’s sake, Andy. I wasn’t proposing a damn threesome or anything.”

“Good to know,” I replied. If Maegan had an idea she wanted to pitch to me, did that mean Milo would be there too?