Chapter 101
I stared at Adrian and wondered why we were friends. He could be a bit judgmental at times—okay, most of the time—but I knew he meant well, and was a good guy, at heart. Though, it could be hard to tell beneath all that condescension and contempt.
“You leaving soon?” I asked.
“‘Bout another hour or so. Why?” Adrian went back to reviewing the paperwork on his desk
“I want to buy you a beer. We haven’t done that in a while. You can tell me all about your perfect boyfriend, how much of a slut I am, how immaturely I behave, and I’ll humor you, like always. Deal?”
Adrian studied me for a minute, then smiled and said, “Okay. I could use a beer.”
“Great. I need to shower, though. Mind going to my place first?”
“Nope.”
“Stop by Herc when you’re ready.” I left and went out to the Chevy, turning on the engine so I could get the air going to cool the inside down a little. At least I’d remembered to clean the truck out last weekend, so it wasn’t too messy. After ten minutes, it was bearable. I drank some warm bottled water.
As the minutes ticked by, I watched other Freightliners pull into the lot. It always amazed me, the skill it took to maneuver thousands of pounds of equipment over many miles while dealing with unpredictable drivers every day. I’d never had an accident, which was a good thing, since that would get me fired. Adrian had a “no tolerance” policy.
The knock on my window startled me out of my reverie. I glanced over to see Adrian giving me the thumbs up sign, then he walked toward his pickup, which he affectionately called Dave.
I started the truck and headed home, with Adrian following at a safe distance. We made good time, despite traffic. Half an hour later, I parked in my driveway, with Adrian right behind me. I unlocked the door and let us both into my comfortable one-story home.
“I’ve always loved your house,” Adrian said as he made his way to the living room and sat on the couch. “It’s so…lived in.” Meaning it was messy, but he’d tolerate it. Prick.
“Well, you live in a trailer park. Which, by the way, I still don’t understand. Aren’t you making enough to get a decent place now?”
“It isa decent place, and I ownthe trailer, andthe trailer park. A house would mean a mortgage. I’m not willing to make that kind of commitment.”
“Funny hearing about commitment issues from you,” I joked.
“Nice try. At least I choose to live within my means and what’s realistic for my lifestyle. You, on the other hand…” Here we go. “You’re just scared to face the truth.”
“And that is?”
“That you’re tired of one-night stands and you might actually prefer something regular, for a change, a little stability. Deep down, you’re lonely.”
“Lonely? Me? Please.” Although…Well, no, I didn’t want to think about that right now. And this evening wasn’t supposed to be about me, anyway.
I turned to face Adrian, one eyebrow raised. “How can I be lonely, friend, when I have you to bust my balls all the time?” He had the decency to blush.
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay. I know you can’t help it when you get on that high horse of yours.” I gestured toward the kitchen. “You probably remember where everything is, so help yourself to a soda, or whatever.”
I left the room to clean up and returned fifteen minutes later wearing snug faded jeans and a light blue fitted T-shirt. Brown Vans completed the outfit.
Adrian whistled at me as he walked back into the living room from the kitchen. “Is this a date outfit? I thought we were just having a beer.”
“This get-up is for the lucky guy I find after the beer. Soon as you head home to your committed relationship, I’ll be scoping for a fuck.”
“Of courseyou will.” Adrian followed me to the door.
“I can smell your disdain like a putrid aroma. Stop it. Let’s get that beer.” I locked up and got into Herc. Once Adrian backed up onto the street, I reversed down the driveway and led the way to my favorite watering hole and pick up bar, Jimmy’s.
* * * *
“Things still hot and heavy with you and Brandon?” I asked as we sipped our beer in a corner booth a while later. I’d bought us both burgers and fries for dinner, which we’d just finished. It was eight o’clock, and the crowd was just beginning to build up.
“Yeah. The past two years have been great. He travels a lot, but we keep in touch while he’s gone, and when he’s here, it’s fabulous. Brandon’s not a morning person, though. He’s always bitchin’ that I get up before the damn birds.”
“Huh.” I felt a twinge of something I didn’t want to recognize right then, so I shoved it aside. Probably just the day getting to me. I was sure I’d feel better once I found a tight hole to plug. “You trust him to keep it in his pants while he’s away?” I asked, smirking.