Page 15

“Levi, can you come here a sec?” Jon wasn’t shouting, but Levi was shocked. He had never heard Jon speak so loudly before.

“Sure thing, babe.” He stopped as soon as he entered the bedroom and stood in awe of the man standing in front of him.

“I can’t get this damn tie straight. Can you give me a hand?” He turned towards Levi. The deep red tie turned his eyes into glowing sapphires. His face softened from a scowl to a grin. “Are you admiring the clothes or imagining them on the floor?”

Levi blushed as he realized the dopey look on his face. “Sorry, you just went from a 10 to an 11, and I was just appreciating how lucky I am.” Jon’s face flushed as he approached. He gently adjusted the knot until it was perfect. “I hate these things. Will you have to wear a suit every day?”

“I hope not. But you know with an interview, ya gotta go all ‘business professional’. It’s like your entire worth as a person is boiled down in your ability to tie a silk knot around your neck.”

Levi smiled and shook his head. “I hate you have to spend the entire day in Houston alone. I was hoping I could take the entire day off, but the contractors are finishing up a major project today, and I have to be there this morning to meet with them.”

“It’s no problem. I’ve got my laptop, so I’m sure I’ll be able to occupy myself. Besides, I want to scope out the area because even if I don’t get this job, a lot of the places I’ve applied to are nearby.”

“I know, but it still sucks that your interview is in the morning, and you have to wait til the afternoon for the return bus in a suit.”

Jon laughed. “Well, I’ll lose the tie, so it won’t be too bad. Besides, you’re the one who’s really suffering having to get up early to take me to the bus.”

Levi smiled. “It’s no problem. I can come home and go back to bed, but I’m so excited for you I don’t know if I’ll be able to really get much sleep. I’ll be mainlining coffee all day, but it’s for a noble cause, so it’s no big deal. Besides, dinner’s on Gus tonight, so worst case I’ll nap while he regales us with tales from his trip.”

Jon smiled at him. “You said you had to meet with the contractors? Does that mean that everything’s almost done?”

“Well, not everything, but the last of the major projects is wrapping up today.”

Jon’s face lit up. “That’s awesome. I can’t wait to see it.”

“You will soon enough. I hope you like it.” Levi felt blood creeping to his face.

“I’m sure I will. Hopefully, that means I get to spend more time with you. You’ve been at the bar a lot lately.”

Levi put his hand on Jon’s cheek and smiled.

“You’ll have to come to install the new systems and teach us all how to use them. Should be fun times for everyone, but you know that means we will be together.”

Jon laughed and embraced Levi. “Definitely, but I was thinking some time just for us too, though.”

He welcomed Jon’s embrace and held tight, not wanting this to end. “We probably need to get you to the bus. You have everything you need?”

Jon tightened his embrace, and then released. He grabbed his laptop case and slung the strap over his shoulder. “I do now.”

“Well, let’s get this show on the road.”

Jon didn’t say a word the entire drive. Levi could tell he was tense. He wanted to say something to ease the anxiety, but he struggled to find words he thought could help.

As they pulled into the park and ride lot Levi said “Jon, don’t worry. You’ll kick ass today. You got this.”

Jon looked at him with a smile, but his eyes were a thousand miles away. “Thanks. You know, this is probably the second most stressful day of my life so far.”

“Well, no matter what happens, I’m here for you. But for what it’s worth, I believe in you. I’m only a text away. Let me know how it went and give me a heads up when you are almost back here so I can be here waiting for you.”

“That means more to me than you know.” Jon kissed him goodbye as he started towards the bus. He turned and waved as he climbed aboard.

Levi watched as the bus pulled out. He watched as it shrank into the horizon and whispered, “be careful”. As he pulled out of the lot, he glanced at the clock. “I may have just enough time to pull this off.” He smiled and turned towards the bar.