He goes for the fridge and pulls out a soda, then turns and leans against the sink as he pops the top.
“So, what’s going on with you?” I stand at the island. “Your mom shows up this morning, saying you quit your job?”
He flashes me an amused look like I’m overreacting.
“If you kept me posted, I wouldn’t nag,” I burst out but try to make it sound like banter.
He glances behind him out the window, seeing something, and pushes off the counter, heading through the laundry room and into the backyard. I follow him.
“I’m fine,” he calls over his shoulder. “I actually have a new job. That’s why I quit.”
He walks over to the pool and starts pulling the tube for the vacuum up. I’d completely forgotten about it. It had been going since yesterday afternoon.
“A new job?” I ask, taking his slack from behind him. “Where?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“I don’t like surprises. Where’s the job?”
He starts laughing, and I scowl.
“Why are you laughing?” I demand. Does he know how worried everyone is about him, and now he acts like he’s got everything together, and we’re supposed to not ask questions?
“Because I’m excited,” he says. “I’ll tell you soon. I promise.”
“Is it legal?” I pull the tube, feeling the weight of the vacuum as it starts drifting across the pool toward us.
His back shakes with another laugh.
I quirk an eyebrow.
“I promise, this job is as legal as it gets,” he tells me, a private joke in his words I don’t understand. “
I’ve got a steady paycheck coming, medical, dental, retirement, the whole works.” He glances at me. “I’m not on drugs, and I’m not in trouble. I’m absolutely fine. I’m sorry I haven’t been around. I just didn’t want it to be awkward for Jordan.”
I drop the tube, having reached nearly the end.
“So, you’re fine, then?” I ask, for clarification.
“Yeah.”
“Will you come home?”
But he shrugs, looking unsure. “It would be uncomfortable, I think. I want Jordan to stay here as long as she needs.”
I approach him. I’m still a couple inches taller than him, but I’m always surprised at how much bigger he seems every time I see him.
I hesitate to say it, because I don’t want her to go anywhere, but I know Cole’s place is here. “I can find a different arrangement for her,” I tell him.
I can figure something out to make sure they’re both taken care of.
He doesn’t seem to need to think about it, though. “No.” He shakes his head, squaring his shoulders. “It wouldn’t be worth it. I’ll have my own place soon anyway.”
“Really?” Now I am worried. This new job seems a little too good to be true. “You’re making me nervous again,” I tell him.
But he just starts chuckling again, and then he turns his attention back to the vacuum, and I join him in hauling it up.
“Listen,” he says, “I wanted to get my first tat before this job starts. I was thinking we could get one together. Would you want to?” He flashes me a nervous look, and I can tell it was hard for him to ask. “Like next weekend?”