Tipping the Balance by Christopher Koehler

best friend.”
     
    “Maybe, maybe not. A lot depends on where Morgan goes for his teaching credential,” Nick said. “Don’t borrow trouble. So. A bed/bath in a month before school starts?”
     
    “Yes. This place is all but done. We’ve got one reno in progress and other ready to go, but if I charge Emily enough, this job will more than make up for putting that one on the slow track,” Drew said.
     
    Nick thought about it. “The only way this can work is if I put my research on hold for that month and if you scale way back on selling houses so we can both put all our efforts into this.”
     
    “I can do that, I think,” Drew said, “if you can.”
     
    “And I have to talk to Morgan about it,” Nick cautioned.
     
    “You have to ask your boyfriend? Dude, you are so married,” Drew laughed. Secretly, he was a little envious. That kind of accountability to another sounded pretty attractive to him, but it wasn’t looking like a possibility any time soon.
     
    Nick shrugged. “It affects him too. Not only will I not be around as much the rest of the summer, it means I won’t be around as much this next school year, since the research won’t happen by itself. Between that, teaching, and the last of my own coursework, to say nothing of coaching…. There are only so many hours in the day. Of course, it’ll be his senior year, so he’ll be pretty busy too.”
     
    “Fair enough,” Drew said. “Let’s get back to work. Whatever happens, I want this place done. It’ll only help Renochuck in the future. Jeez, I can’t believe I just called my own company Renochuck.”
     

     

     
    The next day, both men were back at the Abernathy place for their last inspection before the homeowners had their final walk-through.
     
    “So I can do it,” Nick said, “but Morgan wants you to pay me more.”
     
    “He what! That little—”
     
    “Man I love,” Nick said flatly. He sounded gruff, but Drew could tell he was kidding. Mostly.
     
    “Yeah, I’ll pay you more. It’s only fair,” Drew said. Before Nick could change his mind, Drew pulled out his cell phone and called Emily. “Okay, I know this is voice mail, but I’m suddenly very busy. I’ll do the bed/bath job for you, but this is the last job for a while, do you hear me? The very last! Love you, babe. Bye.”
     
    “That’ll learn her. You sure showed her,” Nick snorted. “You also just caved like a spelunker.”
     
    “Yeah, I know,” Drew said, shrugging. “But what can you do? She’s a good friend, and we help our friends out. Thanks for helping me out with this, friend.”
     
    “Any time,” Nick said.
     
    They worked their way through the Abernathy house one room at a time, going over the work with the proverbial fine-toothed comb. The silence was companionable, but Drew could tell Nick was working his way around to something.
     
    “Drew….”
     
    “Yes?”
     
    “I’m almost afraid to ask, and I think I can guess, because quite frankly, you’ve been a bit of a downer for the last week or so, but what’s up with Brad?”
     
    “Nothing, that’s what,” Drew said. “A big fat nothing.”
     
    “I’m sorry,” Nick said. “I tried to warn you. I just don’t think he’s into you, not like that.”
     
    “I know, and I don’t actually hate you for that ‘I told you so’, but I thought there was something there… the looks, the shy smiles.”
     
    “I don’t know what to tell you that I haven’t already said before, but you know I’m here for you, and so is Morgan,” Nick said quietly.
     
    “I know, and I appreciate it,” Drew replied.
     
    Nick regarded him for a moment and then hugged him.
     
    “I thought I was happy with my single life,” Drew said, face muffled by Nick’s chest. “I’ve got a great job, keep myself busy, but then this spring… when I saw Brad. When I thought I saw something in Brad and thought maybe he saw something in me… I realized I want what you’ve got with Morgan. I