he’d dig them out and throw them on the floor.
Nik had always been the sort of person who didn’t like being told what to do. And maybe that’s why he had such a pointless career. It was hard to call himself a success at this point with a dozen students all under the age of twelve, insurance through disability benefits, and no retirement plan. Not exactly where he’d envisioned himself at this age, but he supposed there was still time for him to get his shit together. If he was lucky.
“Okay,” came his friend’s voice from his left, “these technically don’t go on sale until tomorrow, but they’re fancy as fuck.” Jay touched his arm, and Nik extended his hand, closing his fingers around the soft fabric.
It was some sort of blend that was as soft as silk, but didn’t have the slippery texture so he was pretty sure it wouldn’t make him look like a seventies porn star. “Will it go with black?”
“Yeah, it’s white. It’s got a pattern in a really light grey—just lines and swoops,” Jay told him. “You can only see it in the light. Hell, you can probably see it better than I can.”
Nik held the shirt with one hand, running his thumb over the sleeve and saw what Jay was talking about. He couldn’t make out individual lines, but they were subtly there. “Great. Ring me up for this and some socks for Van.”
He heard Jay swipe a pack off the shelf, then Nik followed him to the register and dug his card out of his wallet. “How’s your day?”
Nik snorted. “Small talk?”
“I am bored as fuck,” Jay breathed out. “Cassie’s in the middle of some midlife crisis…”
“Isn’t she in her twenties?” Nik asked. Cassie didn’t live in town and only visited for late-night sex, so Nik had only met her twice. Jay complained enough about their problems though, that there were days where Nik felt like he had a front-row seat to all their relationship drama.
Jay sighed and handed his card back. “Well, whatever the fuck it is, she grabbed all the shit she’s been leaving at my place and went up to Berkshire to stay with her mom for a while.”
“And you didn’t fight her?” Nik asked.
“I’m tired. I love the shit out of her, but it’s an uphill battle every fucking week. I mean, it’s the same fight over and over. She won’t commit to a damn decision about moving in together and…fuck, I think she just needs to figure out what she wants.” He was quiet a moment, and Nik could hear the grieving tremble to his breath. “And I don’t think that’s me. She wants someone with bigger dreams than I’ll ever have. I’m happy here, and she hates that.”
“Sorry.” Nik let his hand rest on the top of the counter. “If it helps, I get it.”
“Her or me?” Jay asked, and that made him laugh.
“You. You will be the perfect man for the right person, and I know that makes me sound like some sort of self-help PSA,” Nik added with a smile, “but I mean it.”
Jay chuckled under his breath. “Shit, would you date me if I was gay?”
Nik shook his head. “I’m just not into blonds.”
“I’m not…oh, fuck you,” Jay said and reached over the counter, pushing Nik back a step. “I kind of mean that seriously, though. I’m not bi-curious or anything, but if I was…”
“No,” Nik told him and meant it. “I wouldn’t date you, because right now you just want to date someone to take the edge off, and that sucks for me. You and I both know it gets better.”
Jay breathed out a heavy sigh, and Nik heard a thump, so he reached out to confirm Jay had dropped his head to the counter. “I’m not even sure I love her anymore.”
“So, figure it out, then go on LoveMatch. Hell, go on Grindr and get your dick sucked by a guy and see if that changes things.” Nik found the bag handle, then hooked it over his arm and turned his back on Jay. “If you close up early, I’ll be at the piano. I have to take my dad some dinner, but not until seven.”
Jay laughed. “Catch you later, bro.”
Nik shot him a wave over his shoulder, then righted his cane and made his way out of the shop. He’d only been in there a short while talking with Jay, but the mall seemed even emptier as he stepped out. The