“About…”
“About…” Joshua blew out a sigh. “About things you don’t want to discuss.”
The sound from Colin’s throat hovered halfway between a groan and a rasped-out curse.
“Make thatdefinitelydon’t want to discuss.”
Colin said nothing. He scowled at the road ahead and growled out another unintelligible sound that Joshua immediately recognized.
“Fine. Now I’m getting the ‘Colin Campbell growl.’ A loud, clear message that I should shut my fucking mouth.”
“Honey, I don’t want you to shut your mouth. I don’t want to beshrinkedat the moment.”
“You’ve turned my profession into a verb!” He nudged Colin’s shoulder with a gentle punch. “What’re you doing, Josh?” he teased, laughing. “Oh! I’m SHRINKING!”
“Well, that could have unexpected ramifications,” Colin said with a snicker.
“Inevershrink when you’re around,” Joshua assured him with a wink.
“What did Josh do today?” Colin asked in a playful tone. “Oh, he SHRANK for a while.”
Joshua gave a soft laugh and took Colin’s hand. “OK, baby. We’ll table the whole ‘will Nate become a star, develop a big head, and abandon us to live life as a New York celebrity’ conversation for now.”
“Forever,as far as I’m concerned.”
* * *
On Saturday afternoon,Nate met with the attorney Colin’s professor recommended. He called Colin after dinner that evening, bubbling with excitement. “Colin, he’s great! He’ll join me on a Zoom call with the producer later this week. Thanks so much, buddy.”
“I’m glad it worked out. I hope this whole adventure is good for you, Nate.”
“Whywouldn’tit?”
Colin pursed his lips, squinting, then eased a heavy breath through his nose. “No reason. I’m fretting for nothing, I guess.”
“I thought that was Joshua’s job.”
“He’s busy, so I’m stepping up.”
“I’m a bit nervous about all of it, for sure. But I think it’s going to be a blast! I mean…New York, Colin! One ofmyplays will be produced in New York!”
Colin nodded. “Yeah, buddy, I get it. It’s a great opportunity.”
“I hear your words, Irish, but yourvoicemakes me think I just got diagnosed with a case of monkeypox!”
“Oh, it doesnot!”
“It does. Trust me. Your dismal tone of voice doesnotmatch your congratulatory words. Not even a little.”
“I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”
For a long moment, Nate was silent, and then Colin heard him inhale deeply. “It means taking a chance, and that always involves risk. But I’ve got a fantastic husband and wonderful friends supporting me. If the play flops, then itflops. I’ll get over it.”
“OK, buddy. Let’s leave it at that. I’ll talk to you soon.”
They said goodbye, and Colin threw his phone onto the coffee table with a grimace. “Fuck!” He turned his head as Joshua approached.
“What’s up?” Joshua asked, then sat down beside his husband. “You OK?”
