After I drop my messenger bag, groceries, gym bag, and everything else I was hanging on to, I make my way back to the front door.
“It’s not safe to leave your door wide open, Sam,” my neighbor and best friend Asher calls out.
“These crime-ridden streets fear me,” I say as I watch him scoop up the box on the ground and close my front door. He puts the package on the coffee table then makes his way toward me.
“Please.” He rolls his eyes as he goes straight to my fridge and pulls out a beer. “Want one?”
“Do I want a beer that I paid for from my refrigerator?” Sarcasms drips from my words, but he only smiles and passes me one. “What’s in your fridge and why do you always raid mine?”
“Because you keep buying groceries, and all I’ve got is a jar of pickles.”
“You don’t even like pickles.”
“Which is why they’re still there.” He shrugs.
I shake my head as I loosen my tie and we walk into the large living room. There’s not much in here even though we’ve both lived in this neighborhood for several years now. I haven’t gotten around to it, and Asher is always over here instead of at his place. I’m pretty sure he’s only got a bed in his whole house.
When we graduated from college, we agreed we wanted to work together and stay in the same city. What we didn’t plan on was becoming next-door neighbors, but when the houses came on the market at the same time, we jumped on it. Who wouldn’t want to live next door to their best friend since middle school? Asher is my brother even though we don’t share DNA. His dad died when he was young, and that’s when he started going to my school. My mom passed when I was still a baby, so it was something we kind of had in common.
What we didn’t expect was for our parents to fall in love during all those times Asher and I were hanging out. So there might be a “step” between us, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“How was work today, dear?” He laughs at his own joke as he grabs the remote and sits down.
“Busy.” I yawn, and he gives me a look. “I know I say that every day, but it’s true. It’s exhausting being this successful.”
This time when he rolls his eyes, I’m afraid they’re going to get stuck that way.
“I’m so glad I’m only an investor and that I don’t actually have to run that office.”
“Keep saying that, and I’ll put you to work.” I let out a long breath as I take a seat. “I could really use some extra hands, so I guess it’s good the interns start tomorrow.”
“You need more people to get coffee?”
“I wish. I need hands to process data and help us catch up with the demand. The company is so close to being where I want it, and then I can take a step back.”
“What will you possibly do with all your free time once you retire so young?” Asher wiggles his eyebrows, and I laugh.
“I guess finally see what your ass does all day. What is it, napping?”
“My days are filled with adventure. For example, I went to Costco today.”
“Please don’t start.” I try to cut him off, but he keeps going.
“Sam, do you know they lose money on their rotisserie chicken?”
“Here we go.” I rub my temples as he goes on about all the deals he saw today.
“I’m just saying, until you try their slippers you haven’t lived.”
“As often as you go, I’m surprised you don’t have more food at your house.”
He sighs and changes the channel. “Where do you think most of your stuff comes from?”
“Bro, you really need to get laid.”
He pauses his search on the TV and turns his surprised gaze on me. “Look who's talking.”
“I have an excuse. I'm busy.” Just then my phone rings and gives me a way out of this conversation.
