Eddy concluded the tour of her new condo with the huge bay windows that overlooked the Lake.

"It's nice," said Charlie.

"Nice? What the fuck, Chuck, it's GORGEOUS! You turn one way, oh look, the Lake! You turn the other way, Jesus God, the skyline! It's fucking magnificent!"

"Yes, fine, it's amazing. Palatial!" He slumped back to the kitchen and grabbed a beer. Amidst the moving boxes and furniture, he noticed the spare room by the kitchen was empty.

"You gonna get a roommate?" he asked, joining her by the window.

"Probably gonna make that a home office."

"But if you could have a roommate... "

"You know someone who's looking?"

"Yeah," he said, chugging his beer. "Me."

"Stop. You can't pussy out of your apartment just because one of your roomies might've hooked up with He Who Shall Not Be Named."

"It doesn't make sense, I know. I'm being stupid. I'm being an ass."

"Yes. You are."

"BUT... I just can't... haven't you ever had anyone who's broken your heart and... "

"You know I have. And I know everything that's gone down between you and him. But you can't keep dwelling on it, Chuck. Move on."

"I want to. I do. I don't know why I can't."

She took his beer and drank from it. "Maybe it's the possibility that it might've been Hunter and there's all the stuff between you guys."

He took the beer back. "Maybe."

They looked out onto the city, quiet for a moment. "It's easier said than done, I know. But Jesus, Chuck, in the month I've lived here, I've ran into girls who've been with girls I've hooked up with. It's a small fucking world. Did you really think that something like this would never happen?"

"Not with the friends I have. They know Tom."

"You're naming the puppy."

"Yeah. Maybe I should. Maybe all this code and whatever is making it more important or heavier than it needs to be."

"Look at you kid. You might just grow up yet."

"Maybe." Charlie finished the beer and looked out the window for a second. "Can I crash here, though? Just for the night?"

"Sure," said Eddy. "But I reserve the right to put the old school slumber party rules in play. If you fall asleep first... "

"Jesus, I can't believe I was excited that you were moving here."

"Now I'll see you all the time. To call you out on your bullshit and make sure you man up for a change and stop being such a pussy."

Charlie hugged his big sister and kissed her on the head. That didn't sound half bad.

###

Just joining us? Start from the very beginning, Volume 1 Chapter 1, by clicking here!

###