We get outside and Brendan spots Kalvin in what looks like a brand new Lexus. “What does Kalvin do again?”
“He’s a dancer.” Okay, I don’t know why I didn’t know this or failed as a friend to ask what Brendan’s boyfriend did, but I swear he was a waiter somewhere.
“I really thought—”
“I didn’t tell you,” Brendan says quickly.
“Got it.” It makes sense. Kalvin looks like the Chippendale type.
Brendan opens the trunk and I hoist my bag onto my knee so I can slide it inside, but Brendan takes it from my hand and places it in the trunk for me.
“Thanks for picking me up,” I tell Kalvin as I hop into the backseat.
“Of course. I’m so glad to see you!” I kind of thought Kalvin didn’t like me all that much, but I’m starting to see there’s a lot I didn’t wrap my head around with him.
“Congratulations on the new house. That’s amazing,” I tell him.
“Wait until you see it,” Brendan says. “It has antique charm with a modern flair, and it’s so homey.” Homey. What does that feel like exactly?
It takes us about forty minutes to get out of the city and to Kalvin’s house, which looks like it’s from the 1800’s. I love these kinds of houses, despite the potential of having ghosts as roommates. If I even mention that to Brendan, he’ll most likely never sleep here again, though.
“You seem sad,” Kalvin says as we walk up the path to his front door.
“I’m just tired. Traveling exhausts me.”
“I hear ya. I’m not a fan of flying.”
“Your house is beautiful,” I tell him. It’s exactly how Brendan described. Clean and homey, but charming too.
“I have a spare room upstairs that you can stay in. I’ve already made up the bed for you, and I’ll get your bag upstairs.”
“Thank you, Kalvin.” He’s being so nice. I’ve never seen this side of him before. Something has changed with him, in addition to the double-sized muscles he’s now sporting. I think I remember him being a gym junkie, but I’m wondering if this dancing gig is newer and the reason for the change in his appearance.
As soon as we enter the quaint guest room, I plop down on the bed. “Kalvin, something has changed about you,” I say.
He raises his brows and walks across the room to open the blinds. “Nice and sunny in here.”
“Kalvin, I know I don’t know you all that well, but I love Brendan like a brother, and I’m just curious as to what’s changed.”
Everything about Kalvin is perfect, from his slicked, old-fashioned, hipster hairstyle, to his pricey clothes and shined shoes. Of course, the thick, pumpkin-orange-rimmed glasses that he wears just work for him like they wouldn’t work for most people, but he knows how to make things look good. I’ve noticed that at least.
He takes a seat in the plushy guest chair beside the window. “Nothing has changed. I’ve just had realizations.”
“I understand,” I tell him.
I continue staring at him, waiting for him to continue because I feel like there is more he wants to say.
“I seriously missed Brendan when he left. I knew I had to make some changes so he’d come back to me. I did, and really I just want things to work with him.”
“That makes me happy to hear. You must be the culprit who stole him away from me?” I smile so he knows I’m joking.
“Possibly,” he says with a nervous grimace.
“If he’s happy, I’m happy. Honest.”
“Just so you know, if you decide to stay in Boston, you can stay here as long as you’d like,” Kalvin offers.
“That’s very sweet of you.”
