Hardwood - K.M. Neuhold Page 0,16
down and give him my attention. “I applied for a position with a research team out in Pasadena, California, and I was accepted.”
“That’s amazing,” Mia says.
“Congratulations. When do you leave? How long will you be gone?”
“I leave at the end of December, and the project is ongoing and indefinite at the moment.”
“What? What does that mean?” I ask.
“It means I’m basically moving to California and might not come back at all.” He bites his lip and stares at his glass of water to avoid meeting our shocked gazes.
“That’s great?” Mia says unconvincingly.
“We’re happy for you,” I force myself to say. He’s my best friend. Of course, I want what’s best for him. But living halfway across the country from each other kind of sucks.
“I’m excited about it,” he says, glancing back up shyly.
“Then I really am happy for you. And I’m happy there’s somewhere warm Mia and I will be able to come visit you to get away from these damned Midwest winters.”
We all chuckle. “True,” Mia agrees.
“Yeah, the weather was certainly a factor,” Jordy says. “And you can both come visit anytime you want. I mean, I’m probably going to have to rent a tiny studio apartment because the cost of living is completely insane, but we can figure it out.”
“Yes, we will,” I agree, trying not to feel sad that for the first time since we met in college, Jordy and I won’t be living near each other. I clear my throat, figuring now’s as good of a time as any to tell them what Mia’s advice last week sparked. “I have some news too. Well, not exactly news, but maybe the start of news? The seed of news? Newslet information,” I ramble.
“Oh my god, spit it out,” Mia says with a laugh. “And you’d better not be about to say you’re going to move, too, and leave me all alone here.”
“No, nothing like that,” I assure her. “Last week when you said I didn’t need the perfect man for my own happily ever after, it got me thinking. I’ve always known that I wanted to foster or adopt a kid or two, so I went online, and I downloaded a foster application. I used to think I needed to find Prince Charming before starting a family, and it’s looking less and less likely that fairytale ending is ever going to materialize. I think I’m going to do what you suggested and make my own happy ending.”
My heart is beating even harder as I tell them the good news. It’s not exactly how I pictured things working out, but it’s a life I can imagine being happy with.
“Wow, that’s a big decision,” Mia says.
“I know, but I feel like I’m ready. Hell, I’ve been ready for years, I just thought I needed the man first,” I explain with a shrug.
“I’m happy for you then.”
“I can’t believe I’m going to have to miss you learning to change a diaper,” Jordy laments.
“I’ll film it and send it to you,” Mia assures him.
“Perfect.”
My phone vibrates, and I let out an embarrassing squeak, scrambling to grab it and read Ev’s return message.
Everett: Out with friends. You?
My heart sinks a little. Obviously, I’m glad he’s hanging out with his friends, but now my excuse to invite him back to Jack’s is gone. He said he isn’t out, does that include to his friends or did he just mean to his ex-wife?
Watson: Same. At Jack’s like usual. And I swear I’m not as much of a bar fly as that sounds like, it’s just a cool place to hang out.
Everett: No judgment here. I typically tag along with my friends to Wooley’s just about every Friday night.
Wooley’s is the only other gay bar in the area, so that must mean they know, right? Another text pops up from him.
Everett: I feel like an idiot, to be honest. I’m sitting here in a gay bar with the people I’m closest to in the world, and I can’t bring myself to tell them the truth. I’ve let them think I’m straight for so long, how do I even bring it up? Plus, I feel like I owe it to my ex to tell her before I tell them, which is probably a completely pointless line in the sand, but it feels right.
My heart aches as I read his words. Jordy and Mia were more right than they even realized.
Watson: Make an excuse and come to Jack’s. I’ll buy you a drink and you can meet my