“I appreciate it.” And he really did. It probably wasn’t easy for Mitch to make the effort. Or the travel and work arrangements.
“Unless it’s a sex thing. I don’t want to hear about sex things.”
“We definitely don’t have any problems with sex.”
Mitch grimaced and took another swallow of beer. “Not sure I wanted to know that, either. Why don’t you stick to telling me why you want to be with her and she wants to be with you, but you’re not with each other.”
Drew wasn’t sure he could explain how he felt. “I never planned to be with her, but it went sideways on me. Like when you’re racing down an unfamiliar trail and all of a sudden there’s a corner and you’re sideways, getting passed by your ass end.”
“You know what helps with that? Slowing the hell down.”
“Funny how you always figure that out when your wheels are coming up and you’re about to roll up in a ball.”
“Just means you were going too fast in the first place.”
Mitch wasn’t very good at the whole shoulder-to-cry-on thing. “It hasn’t been fast, though. I mean, yeah, us hooking up at your wedding was a total broadside. Never saw that coming. But since then, it’s been a slow burn.”
“Drew. I’m here for you, really. But there were meetings and then phone calls and then flying and then driving. This whole careening sideways, broadside, burning thing is starting to go over my head. What the hell is the problem?”
“She thinks I’m just looking for a baby mama and I accused her of not being mature enough to make a commitment because she has inflatable chairs.”
Mitch blinked. Took another sip of his beer, then blinked again. “Are there really inflatable chairs or is that another metaphor thing?”
“She has a collection of those inflatable chairs that float in pools because she didn’t have enough furniture to host movie night. I’m surprised you don’t know about them, since your wife and Hailey bought them for her.”
“Sometimes my wife talks, but I don’t listen. I just nod. But tell no one.”
Drew snorted and opened his beer. “Maybe I should have tried that. Just kept my mouth shut and nodded.”
“Is any of it true? Are you just looking for a mother for your children?”
“You know I want kids. But that’s not why I fell for Liz. I mean, if I just wanted a woman to have babies for me, I probably would have picked somebody a little more...settled.”
“Somebody who doesn’t have inflatable chairs.”
“Exactly.” Drew pointed at Mitch. “This is why I like you.”
“Then again, there are people who might think it would be cool to have a mom who’s fun and doesn’t give a crap what other people think if something makes her happy.”
“Now I like you less. Stop drinking my beer.”
“Get over the chairs. Those don’t mean anything and you’re using them as some kind of inflatable wall between you.”
He was right, Drew thought. “Why am I doing that?”
“Hell if I know. My degree’s in engineering.”
“I love her.”
“That,” Mitch said, tipping his beer bottle at him, “I do know. Did you tell her that?”
“No. I was too busy pushing her away before she could push me away.”
“Are you going to tell her?”
As badly as he’d been hurting, he couldn’t imagine the pain if he went and told her he loved her and she threw him out again. “Maybe I should have another beer or two first.”
Mitch laughed. “Oh, hell no. You’re not talking to her tonight. You’re not in great shape, buddy, and tomorrow’s a brand-new day. Hopefully one you’ll face sober and without the bloodshot eyes and the mangy look that comes from either doing a shitty job shaving or, you know, actual mange.”
Drew laughed, a real laugh that cheered him up and actually made him feel some hope everything would be okay. “I’m glad you came, Mitch.”
“I’m sorry I punched you in the face.”
“I’m sorry I broke your sister’s heart.”
Mitch looked at him, then gave a regretful shake of his head. “I think that breakage was mutual, my friend. But you can ask me or Ryan or Sean or Josh or even our cousins, and we’ll all tell you the same thing. Swallow your pride and be willing to lay your feelings out there with no shame, because it’s worth it. And she’s worth it.”
*
Liz was pretty sure she’d never eat another mini pumpkin muffin. Well, for at least a week anyway. But she did feel better after the time she’d spent with Rose yesterday. She’d slept decently last night and, once she was sure she was on solid emotional ground, she was going to reach out to Drew and see if they could talk.
For now, she sat on her futon, drinking her decaf coffee and reading the newspaper’s classified ads. If she didn’t find a good used car soon, she was going to need a second job just to put gas in the truck.