Chapter 12

"Can you just let me win one time, please?" I threw the controller down on the bed and collapsed. "It's humiliating to come up short in every game."

"Is your manhood hurt? Are you feeling castrated? Does someone need to be told they get a participation trophy for playing?" John teased me.

"Yes, a trophy would be nice," I whined and kicked my feet against his footboard.

"Sorry, in this world, losing is just losing, big bro. Stop being a total crybaby. It's harshing my vibe. If you had a gummy, maybe it would help you become one with the game. I mean, at this point, it's just disgraceful whooping your ass every time."

"Indeed, it is." I rolled over and pulled John down by the shoulder so he was lying by my side. "This is nice. I missed this shit."

"Me too. It's good to have my twin back."

"I know. I'm gonna hate when you leave for grad school next Fall."

"Well, we'll see. Is it weird that I like it here?"

"It's weird that you barely leave your room, so… If you're talking about your room – then yeah. It's fucking weird."

"Asshole, I'm talking about Point Pleasant. I've been taking walks so I can… you know, without having to hear Mom yell at me for smoking weed. Besides, it's been really gorgeous outside. The town's pretty cool. I even stopped and had a drink a time or two at a place called Liberties. I liked it. This place is easy, and it's been a while since I've felt this loose and stress-free."

"There is no way that any of us are going to let you stay here, John. You've always wanted to get your master"s and then your doctorate – I mean, it's your fucking destiny."

"Dreams change. Besides, I could get my master's degree not far from here and could come home a lot more often if I went to Denver. They have a pretty good program."

"Is it good enough for you, though?"

"You sound like Dad. It's not cute."

"So, the answer is no?"

"The answer is that maybe that's not the question we should be asking. Maybe the question is, what would make me happier? That answer could be a myriad of possibilities. Besides, I decided that getting a doctorate is something only my ego needs. I don't think my life has to have it, you know? There's more to me than just being smart. Maybe I'll start a twitch and make money from people watching me make my twin cry at Mario Cart."

"People would watch." I chuckled and rolled over on my side to stare at him. "Mom and Dad will lose it. Are you ready for that?"

"Mom already knows that I'm thinking about Denver and said she didn't care. I'm the one who's going to go into debt for my master. So, I think I'm also the one who gets to make all of the decisions about my life from now on. We'll see. I don't have to make a decision right now, but…"

"It's getting close?"

"Yep." He turned over and faced me. "What about you?"

"What about me, what?" I grinned. "I'm gonna stay remote. I'll graduate this fall if I take summer classes, too. Maybe? Maybe I won't take summer classes. Don't know. I still have like sixteen hours, so…"

"Is it because you've met someone? You don't seem to be in… You seem to like it here more."

"What's not to like?" I rolled back over. "I mean, I have no idea what the future holds or what I might or might not do with my life. I've never had the drive that you have. I do like it here a lot more than I ever expected. But… I like David, and I think he feels the same way, but… I don't know, man."

"I guess you don't have to know right now. Neither one of us do."

"Yeah… He's pretty great, though. I can't wait for you to meet him. You think Mom and Dad will freak out about the age thing?"

"I mean… they rarely freak out about anything that's not related to our grades. I think they'll just be happy for you. But Mom will be happy if either one of us, or both of us, decide to stick around."

"Yeah."

"Dude, your phone is buzzing," John sighed. "Please either answer it or turn it off."

"How the fuck did you even hear that?"

"I didn't blast music from my stereo and stand in front of it like you did? Maybe it's because I'm high and at one with the world?"

"Asshat." I pushed up from the mattress and sprang to my feet on the hardwood floor. My phone was definitely buzzing over on his dresser. I picked it up and stared at the text message from Danny. "Holy shit!"

"What's wrong?" John sat up and looked at me worriedly.

"Nothing – it's just… Danny, one of my new friends, texted me about an opportunity that I… Did you know that Point Pleasant has a pro hockey team?"

"Yeah. The Pheasants suck."

"Well, apparently, they need a new assistant therapist, and Danny is friendly with the coach. He's told him about me and wondered if I would like to meet him."

"That's super cool. I mean, it's a pro team, and that's what you've always wanted, right?"

"Yeah… Dude, The Pleasant is fucking crazy."

"Like I said, I like it around here. It's easy."

"It's not real." I quickly texted Danny back a thumbs-up emoji.

"It gets your foot in the door, and I bet it makes getting another job a hell of a lot easier after you graduate. Aren't you tired of being a task bunny and making coffees?"

"I actually like working in the diner, but this is… I mean, of course, I want to meet him. If I could get a job with the team, it would make everything else a whole lot easier."

"To not leave, you mean? I get it."

"I mean, maybe?" I shrugged. "I like David, and it would be nice to see what happens with us. If I have a job – a career here – it would make that a little easier if we did start to… He's shy and complicated. But I'm already… I really like him."

"Bro. You've gone on a few dates, and I know you've hung out and everything, but don't tie yourself to this place just because of a maybe. Don't put your life on hold just because you have a hard-on for someone. But a job like this could be a springboard for something else if that's what you choose, right? Sounds like an easy decision."

"Yeah… It should be, right? This is what I've always said I wanted."

"Is it still what you want?"

"I mean… Can I make a career out of part-time coffee work and make over a hundred thou in a year? Cause if that is possible… Yeah, it's still what I want."

"Did you tell them that you're on your way and to get a locker and a team jersey waiting for you?"

"I gave Danny the thumbs up. It's chill."

"Dude, call him and set up the meeting. This is not one of those moments when you stay chill. This is an opportunity and you need to leap."

"I'll call him in a bit. I just wanna… chill?" I grinned and sat back down beside him on the bed. I slid my phone into my pocket so I could feel it vibrate if Danny tried to get back in touch with more info.

"I think it's time that I met this guy who has you so tied up in knots. You do need my approval, you know. I'm not letting you make the same mistake again just because you found another older studious type."

"Why do we both have a thing for nerds and older guys?"

"Less drama. Neither one of us really ever enjoyed the drama. Remember when you dated Becky in our Junior year? That was total drama."

"She was total drama. That's why we broke up after a month."

"You broke up because you had a thing for her older brother. You've always been good like that and not led someone on just to stay in a relationship."

"I eventually did fuck her older brother our senior year."

"I remember. Becky walked in on you guys."

"Yeah. That was also more Becky drama."

"I want you to do what's gonna make you happy. I think that's all we can ever ask of ourselves and each other, Justin. Do the thing that will make you the most happy, and let the chips fall where they may."

"I love you."

"I love you, too. Now stop being chill and go get on that sucky hockey team's staff."