Tipping the Balance by Christopher Koehler Page A

want… I want to share my life with someone.”
     
    “I’m sorry,” Nick murmured, kissing Drew’s head softly.
     
    “It’s okay.” Drew sniffled. “Maybe he’ll still be my friend. Jeez, that sounds pathetic.”
     
    “A little, yeah,” Nick said.
     
    Drew let go of Nick and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. “I don’t know when I turned into such an emotional bag of slop.”
     
    “Feeling doesn’t make you a bag of slop, and you’d pinned your hopes on Brad. It’s natural to be disappointed, to be upset,” Nick said.
     
    “Thanks, Oprah. Good to know.”
     
    “Aaaand he’s back!” Nick laughed. “I’ll be right back. There’s something I need to get out of my backpack.”
     
    When he returned to the bathroom they were inspecting, Nick handed Drew a piece of paper. “I can’t believe I’m doing this, and in light of previous discussions, I run the risk of hypocrisy, but this may take your mind off Brad.”
     
    Giving Nick a skeptical look, Drew took the paper and read it silently for a few moments. “Holy shit,” he breathed.
     
    “About that, yes,” Nick said. “That interest you?”
     
    “Are you kidding me? The city’s calling for bids from up-and-coming designers and architects for the renovation of the Bayard House,” Drew said, eyes glued to the circular. “This is what I want to do, but… it’s too soon!” He met Nick’s eyes. “I mean, I can’t pull this off, not yet. We’re freaking out getting this project done and then a bed/bath. The mayor’s residence is an historic house that goes back to the Gold Rush, when Sacramento was built on stilts because the American and Sacramento Rivers flooded like clockwork every winter. I don’t know much about historical preservation, let alone how to update and adapt such an old and important structure. I….”
     
    Nick let Drew sputter on for a few more moments but then cut him off. “Look, the city obviously knows this is a huge undertaking, but they’re calling for up-and-comers anyway. You’ve got some experience, you’ve got a contractor you can work with. Give Emily a call. She’s got the design chops. Between the two of you, you should be able to come up with something.”
     
    “You think so?” Drew said.
     
    “Drew, I know so,” Nick said gently. “This is your big chance.”
     
    “The only way I can do this is if you help me,” Drew said. When Nick started to protest, Drew cut him off. “No, seriously. We work well together. You’ve been helping me with flips since you moved up here. You’re the only crew leader I’ve ever had. You probably know more than I do at this point, frankly.”
     
    Nick shook his head. “There’s no way on earth. I’d have to take a semester off school, and that’s just not happening.”
     
    “Please, Nick, I’m begging,” Drew said. “I went along with your insane scheme to get Morgan off your scent before you two decided to give it a go. Now it’s time to return the favor.”
     
    “This is totally different, and you know it,” Nick said, an edge to his voice. “That turned out to be one night out. You’re asking me to take half a year off school. It’s not just me anymore. As it is right now, Morgan and I will finish up at the same time. There’s no way I’ll screw that up. You’re my best friend, but he’s the man I’m going to marry.”
     
    “Fine. I can’t believe you’re going to be that way, though, not after all we’ve been through together,” Drew said.
     
    “Don’t make this a choice between you and Morgan,” Nick warned. “We’ve been friends a long time. Don’t fuck it up.”
     
    “But the Bayard House!” Drew wailed. “This could make me.”
     
    “I know it could, Drew, and that’s why I brought it to your attention, but reno isn’t what I want to go into. It’s your dream, not mine. I do this to make money on the side and as a favor to you, but you can’t ask me to derail my life for it, to say nothing