“Speaking of putting out fires, how is training Petergoing?”
Ty sighs, clearly frustrated. Along with studying for classes to fulfill his requirements for his certification, he’s signed on with his employer to remain salaried so long as he works a less time-consuming job and trains his replacement, a task that has proven more frustrating and time-consuming than he’d initially imagined. “You know, I went through my job mostly thinking that I was fairly replaceable, and it wasn’t until they begged me to stick around that I recognized just how much they needed myhelp.”
“Must be kind of nice to know you aren’t easy to substitute,though.”
“Hell yeah. Gets to my head for sure, when I letit.”
I shake myhead.
“Come on, we all get to be conceitedsometimes.”
“You and Eric have your fair share of conceited moments. It’s definitelygenetic.”
I say that without even considering the consequences. For a while, I felt like I was walking on eggshells, trying to avoid saying anything about Eric in case it would make Ty uneasy, but the way the comment slipped out shows how at ease we’re starting to get with everything. Still, the moment I say it, I start to rethink my wording, but Ty’s unfazed expression assures me I haven’t overstepped anyboundaries.
“I wish I was half as self-assured as Eric,” he says, which isn’t the direction I figured this conversation wouldturn.
“You think you’renot?”
“Eric’s just so confident and certain about everything, and I’m a fucking mess. I get that we all have our shit, but I wish I could go around the world like him, pushing my way through, fighting for everything I want. He’s always been this pillar of strength and almost blind to anything that could try to stand in hisway.”
If only Ty knew the truth. Not that Eric isn’t that way, but like with anyone, there are other layers that I guess Eric’s gotten really good atdisguising.
“Everyone has their weaknesses,Ty.”
“No, I get that,” he says. “Hell, I of all people know how imperfect Eric is, but he’s definitely strong and confident in a lot of areas Ienvy.”
Strength that has evolved from hisweaknesses.
“Are you guys rock climbing this weekend?” I ask, trying to pivot thesubject.
“Yeah, and speaking of this weekend, I was thinking of having dinner with my mothertoo.”
“Good.”
“No, dumbass. That was me suggesting maybe you should come with me todinner.”
“Oh…”
I haven’t seen Tricia since Eric and I started seeing one another, and for good reason. I used to have dinner at their house occasionally, and it was nice enough, but it’s weird now that I know about her past with Eric. I was already aware of how she’d kept them apart when Ty was a kid, but knowing Eric’s side makes my feelings toward her that much worse. And also, now that she’s aware of what Eric and I have been doing, I’m sure she won’t be thrilled to seeme.
“I’d really like that,” I say, meaning it. Not because I’m particularly eager to see her, but because I understand why Ty wants this. To be in his life means I have to stay in Tricia’s life too, same asEric.
It’s part of us makingprogress.
“Really?Like?Is that the word you’re looking for?” Ty presses. “You don’t have to pretend things are going to be totally coolthere.”
“I know they won’t, but gotta rip the Band-Aid off sooner rather than later. Although, considering how many Band-Aids we’ve been ripping off, I feel like my skin’s about toblister.”
Ty only knows about some of the rips I’m talking about. There’s this whole part of my life and Eric’s that he’s unaware of…doesn’t need to be awareof.
“That’s the spirit!” Ty says. “Saturday work foryou?”
“You’re going to tell her I’m coming, right? I don’t want to surpriseher.”
“What kind of asshole do you take me for? Of course I’ll tellher.”
“And if she says she’d rather not, I’ll respectthat.”
