Page 5 of This Time Around

I shoved thoughts of Milo aside and enjoyed time with my parents and sister, even though there were a lot of hints that Faith and I needed to start providing grandkids.

“Mom,” Faith said in a warning tone. “Is this going to kick off another round of matchmaking?”

“You get a break now that your brother has returned home,” my mom said then winked at me. “Milo is still single, Andy.”

I’d guessed as much when he jumped me in the alleyway, but I didn’t share that with my family. “Mom, please don’t get your hopes up,” I told her, recalling that Milo had basically walked away while my dick was still hanging out of my pants. “Twelve years is a long time for us to be apart.”

“I believe in you, Andy,” she said sweetly.

“How do you even know that I want Milo?” I asked. Everyone around the table started laughing.

“If you wanted us to believe that then you should’ve at least stopped by our house and said hello before you went to see Milo. You made your intentions pretty clear,” Dad said. “How was your reunion?”

“It didn’t go as I had envisioned it,” I replied honestly. I didn’t expect Milo’s hostility that morning when I showed up at the café, nor did I expect him to launch himself in my arms later that night. Milo had always been a walking contradiction, but years ago, I had learned how to decode his actions and understand him. It looked like I would need to refine my Milo-detection skills. “We’ll see what the future holds.”

“Speaking of future,” Dad said, “have you decided if you’re going into business for yourself? I think there would be plenty of work to keep you busy around here.”

“Actually, a fantastic opportunity came my way.” I told them about my conversation with Josh.

“That’s what’s different about you,” Mom said. “I like your new hairstyle.”

“I told Josh that I didn’t want to mess with gel or mousse or whatever every day, but it does look better.”

I was ready to get the conversation away from me and Milo, so I did the only thing I could think to do. I threw Faith under the bus. “So, Faith, how was your date on Saturday night?”

“Date?” Mom and Dad said at the same time.

Faith narrowed her eyes at me, promising retribution. “It was just a work thing,” she said nonchalantly.

“On a Saturday night?” Mom asked.

“And who was this ‘work thing’ with?” Dad wanted to know.

“Just a guy from work,” Faith replied. “It wasn’t a date. We just met to go over the projected quarterly earnings over burgers and fries.” I could tell by the soft blush on her cheeks that it was more than that, but we didn’t push her.

“Andy, have you found an NA sponsor and meeting location?” Mom asked. There was no censure or disappointment in her eyes, only a desire to see me stay happy, healthy, and clean.

“I have,” I answered her. “My sponsor’s name is Oliver and we’re meeting for dinner tomorrow night in Cincinnati. I’ve only chatted with him online and over the phone so far. He seems cool, and he’s been clean for fifteen years. Meetings are held at a church north of Cincinnati. I’m not crazy about the drive time or the location, but it’s the closest chapter I could find.

“I’m proud of you, Andy,” Dad said warmly. “I imagine the struggle to stay clean is especially hard when your order and balance is upset, but we believe in you.”

“We do,” Mom said, nodding.

Faith reached over and squeezed my hand affectionately, which was more than I deserved after throwing her under the bus like I did.

“Thank you,” I said to all of them. “Your support means so much to me. I’m really a lucky man.”

It was true. I’d put myself and my family through hell after I left for college. Many families would have turned their backs on someone who embarrassed them as badly as I had, but not mine.

After dinner, I ended up driving by The Brew just for the hell of it. Was Milo working late for a second day in a row? I turned the corner at the end of the block and drove slowly so I could see if his car was parked in the alley. Sure enough, Milo’s car was in the same place.

Like the previous night, I parked my truck and waited outside for him to appear. This time, I leaned against his car so he would see me right away. There were many things I wanted to do to Milo, but scaring him wasn’t one of them.

“We’re not doing this again,” Milo said firmly when he locked eyes on me. “When did you start slinking through dark alleys looking to pick up action, anyway?”

“Since last night.”

Milo’s words said one thing, but his glittering eyes said something entirely different as he stared up at me. I watched him for a few heartbeats then took a risk and reached for him. Milo met me halfway, crashing his mouth against mine just like he had the previous night. My body went up in flames, singeing my common sense and self-preservation.