“So what other kind of odd jobs did you have in Detroit?”
He laughed to himself. “The first job I ever had was in a newly remodeled mall when I was sixteen. They had a lot of publicity and promotional garbage going on because of the new stores, so I got paid to walk around dressed as a giant soccer ball and wave to all the kids and stuff like that.” I was stifling a giggle. “There was a football and a baseball and a couple of other characters. People from my high school used to go and push us over. The costumes were so bulky that it was practically impossible to get back on your feet without help, so I would just lay there flailing around, going, Come on, guys, help me out.” I was laughing hysterically at that point. Will was never too proud and I loved it. He glanced over at me and started laughing too. “What about you? What kind of jobs did you have in Ann Arbor?”
“I never really worked before Kell’s; my parents and grandparents supported me through college. Before my dad died, I was studying for the MSAT to go to grad school, so I gave piano lessons, but that was it.” He nodded. “Why didn’t you go to college, Will?”
“I don’t know; it just wasn’t in the cards. My brother and some of my sisters did, but it would have been tough on my parents. I audited a ton of classes at Adrian College, so I kind of got a free education.”
“What kind of classes?”
“Music, sound mixing, media technology, and a few others along those lines.”
“That’s cool. I wondered how you knew so much about that stuff.”
Will turned up the radio and accelerated as I leaned back and absorbed the sun on my face. He smiled warmly at me and for a few minutes I think we were both completely content.
We pulled up to a beautiful, bright yellow colonial house; the sign said Merry Way Inn. It was charming and cheery, but the look on Will’s face was anything but. He looked like he was going to be sick.
“Do you want me to go in and get your stuff?” I asked gently.
“No, I should go…. Fuck Spoon Guy and American Pie,” he said.
“Yeah, totally. You’re better off.”
“I guess. Will you come with me, though?”
“Of course.”
We walked in through the front door and up a small staircase. A woman who I assume was the innkeeper eyed Will, but he smiled and waved as if it were usual business. When we got to the room, he ran his hands through his hair nervously before knocking. There was no answer. He fished a key from his pocket, unlocked the door, and walked in. The room was large and decorated in various floral patterns. The comforter and pillows on the king-size bed were strewn about. I thought I heard Will dry heave before he walked to the window to gaze out.
“There they are. Sunbathing on my dime… fucking assholes,” he said in a low voice. I stood behind him and looked out the window to where Audrey and Dustin were lying by the pool, sharing a chaise lounge. I wrapped my arms around him from behind and gave him a squeeze. He brought my hand to his mouth and kissed it. Turning, he picked up his bag and headed for the door, never letting go of my hand. We held hands all the way to the Jeep. As we headed back to the city, I closed my eyes and dozed off to the sound of the wind in my hair.
I didn’t wake up until Will was halfway up the stairs to our apartment with me in his arms. I hooked my arm around his neck and let him carry me all the way up. He looked down at me and smiled. “Hi, sleepyhead. You were out for the count.”
“Yeah, I was exhausted.”
He set me down on the landing and opened the door. “I’ll take the Jeep to Jenny’s parents’. Go ahead, go to bed. I’ll see you in the morning,” he said and then waited for me to respond. I hesitated a moment and thought it would have felt perfectly normal to reach up and kiss him, but I knew that would be blurring the lines, so I didn’t.
“Okay, thank you. Will, you’re the best.” He winked at me and then trotted down the stairs.
The next morning when I heard Will in the shower, I got up and headed to the kitchen. I poured myself a cup of coffee and leaned against the counter while I flipped through The New Yorker. I flinched when he wrapped his arms around me from behind.
“Easy, jumpy cat; just wanted say good morning.” And then he kissed me behind the ear.
“Morning. Why are you up so early?”
He walked over and poured himself a cup of coffee. “I have a meeting with Frank.”
I turned around and hopped up on the counter in my usual sweats and T-shirt. Will was wearing nothing but a towel. It hung low, showing off the cut lines of his lower abdomen. I gaped at him until I noticed he was watching me. He tilted his head to the side and smirked. “Hi, friend,” he said in a low voice.
I shook my head and took a deep breath through my nose. “Okay, so are you going to fill me in on what Frank says?”