Chapter 108
“He wasscrewing around on me, the turd, with some twenty-three-year-old he met at his office.” Adrian gulped down half of his second beer. He was still sober, since it usually took three bottles before he started to get tipsy.
“You sure?”
“Fuck, yes, I’m sure. He told me all this when he got home tonight. Said he couldn’t keep it from me anymore because he felt ashamed. He said he truly loved me but couldn’t take being perfect anymore. That he was tired of living up to my high expectations, and this was the only way to get my attention.”
Man, that must have been a major blow for Adrian.
“I couldn’t believe it. The bastard cheated. On me. I thought we had something good together, and yeah, I rubbed it in your face, I know. But it was all a lie. At least you’vealways been honest about what you want. I may not like it, but you’ve never lied about it. I have to respect that, at least.”
“I’m sorry, was that another attempt at an apology?”
“Give me a break, would you? My life just fell apart.” He finished his beer and burped, despite the melodrama.
“Fine, I accept your apology.”
“Thanks. But what do I do now? The man I love cheated on me with another guy, someone way younger than me. That hurts.”
This would take tact and careful handling. “Adrian, don’t take this the wrong way, but, you’re a condescending, know-it-all son of a bitch, most days.” See? I was tactful, kinda.
“How are you helping by insulting me?”
“You insult me daily. I simply ignore you, friend.” I took another swig of my beer. “Just listen, for once in your life, would you?”
“Go ahead,” he said, sulking.
“Adrian, I’m not taking Brandon’s side, necessarily, but…You know, I have this friend—don’t look so shocked. I needed his advice on something, and maybe it applies to you, too. You’ve always been so adamant about the way you do things, that because it works for you, it must work for everyone else, too.
“I thought the way Idid things was just fine until recently, and maybe…you need to reflect on your life, too. Not that Brandon is right about cheating on you, but has it occurred to you that living with someone as unbending as I knowyou can be…is hard to take? I may tease you about wanting to fuck your ass all the time, but I’d never do it. You ask too much from a guy. You’re not perfect, Adrian, and neither is Brandon. Hell, no one is.
“I know you’re raw right now, but maybe you need to take this opportunity to really talkto Brandon, not athim. Hear what he has to say. Cheating is a symptom of a deeper issue.” From the look Adrian gave me, I knew he was shocked to hear those words coming out my mouth. Shit, I was a little surprised, too.
“I’d never have thought to hear anything that deep coming from you. That must be some friend you got there.”
I smiled a little. “I wouldn’t trade his friendship for the world. As for you, you really need to go home and think about what you really want from Brandon—a partner in life, someone you treat equally and with respect, or a “yes” man. Because, from what you’ve just told me, the latter hasn’t been working for you, has it?”
Adrian huffed, not responding. I, however, needed some sleep. “You good to drive home, or do you need to sleep over?”
“Wow, you’re throwing me out? That’s cold, dude, even for you.”
“I’m not throwing you out, but you’d probably feel better sleeping in your own bed, as picky as you are. Plus, I really don’t want to wake up with you in the house. So, I guess, yes, I’m throwing you out.”
“Okay, okay.” Adrian stood and walked to the front door. I opened it and he stood on the stoop. “Thanks for listening to me gripe. I’ll think about what you said.”
“Great. Go home and don’t bother me ‘til Monday.”
“Asswipe.”
“Back at ‘cha,” I said, and slammed the door on his retreating backside.
I lay in bed fifteen minutes later, thinking about Adrian’s predicament. It was amazing how much we’d both fucked up our lives. Neither of us had gotten it right, after all. I guessed all that was left was to take it one day at a time.
And right before I fell asleep, I decided that one day at a time had to include a certain brown-haired forklift operator kind enough to see beyond the idiocy of an old fart.
* * * *
I wasn’t sure when Grant had his break on Saturdays, but I decided to take a chance it would be around one o’clock in the afternoon. I parked in the customer lot and walked around to the shipping and receiving area where I usually delivered during the week.