He always said that like it was a treat.
“I hate to break it to you, Daniel, but the local bakery may give you a run for your money.”
A gasp replied. “What a mean thing to say.”
Teddy smiled. Dan was so easy to tease. It made him miss his friends with a warm ache.
“If you’re going to cheat on my husband’s cupcakes,” Rick said, snatching the phone back, “at least get laid too.”
“Those things are usually mutually exclusive.”
“Not the way we do it.”
Dan laughed in the background and audibly smacked Rick’s shoulder.
“I’m taking things slow,” Teddy said, leaning over gingerly to drop Smudge’s treats to the floor without further aggravating his hip, then continued to the fridge to get his water pitcher.
“What the hell for?” Rick barked.
“There might be… unexpected baggage.”
“Besides yours?”
“Mine is expected.”
“So what? Unless it’s not just sex you’re after.”
Teddy paused to pour his water.
“Teddy,” Rick pressed. “You like this kid?”
“He’s not a kid. He’s—”
“Shit, that was fast.”
“I—”
“Good for you, pal. Even more reason not to waste time.”
“How you figure?”
“Not like we have much time at our age.”
Teddy would have scowled and told Rick to shove it if Dan’s muted voice hadn’t said, “You’re going to live forever, shush!”
They were disgustingly cute, and Teddy hated them a little for it.
“Age is why I have to move slow,” he said, “in more ways than one.”
“Hey, you left the city coz you didn’t want to sit around counting your shoulda, coulda, wouldas, scowling from the rafters of the theater like the freaking Phantom. Don’t start adding up regrets with a beach view. Your hip is an obstacle, not an excuse.”
The more serious tone Rick had taken on brought Teddy back to years’ worth of advice they’d given each other, which tended to amount to that same phrase, whether it was Teddy complaining about a difficult dance move or argumentative student, or Rick struggling with a scene from one of his plays.
Obstacles weren’t excuses, they were something to overcome.
“Maybe you’re right.”
“Of course I am. You like this neighbor boy? You go get him.”
