A Good Time

Chapter 2-1

Chapter 2

Griffin leaned hard against the drywall and screwed it into place. He wasn’t sure how Ryan had suckered him into helping, but it actually felt good. He hadn’t done much manual labor since college. Back then he’d worked any job he could to pay tuition. Today it felt like coming home, a nice escape before having to meet with Malcolm.

Ryan’s drill whirred away on the opposite side of the room. The radio blared over the noise of their power tools. Kid Rock sang about being seventeen. Before slapping up the next sheet, he grabbed a beer from the cooler on the floor. Having a friend who owned a bar had its perks.

The room came together. Ryan and his brothers had spent many hours over the last month to get this first apartment above O’Leary’s Pub fit for habitation.

After taking a long drink of beer, he hefted the next sheet of drywall into place. “So what’s the rush with the wedding?”

Ryan answered over the sound of the drill. “When it’s right, you know it. Besides, you know my mom.”

Ryan’s brother Michael crossed the room to the cooler. “Don’t listen to him, Griff. The old man wanted to beat me to the altar.”

“Is the bathroom done?” Ryan asked.

“No, slave driver. It’s hotter than a three-alarm fire in there.”

“Being the big, bad fireman, you should be able to tough it out.” He took the open beer from Michael’s hand and drank.

Michael took another beer and disappeared back into the bathroom.

Ryan turned a bucket over and sat on it. “Quinn’s pregnant,” he said quietly.

Griffin stopped, holding the drill poised for driving in a screw. Then he finished the sheet and took a seat on the floor.

“You have nothing to say?”

Shit, he didn’t know how to respond. “Congratulations?”

“Are you asking?”

“Seriously. I don’t even get the marriage thing. Now you’re talking about a kid.” He didn’t know if he could be faithful to only one woman for the rest of his life. But being a father was a forever thing. “How do you feel about it?”

He looked at Ryan. No one hid stress better.

Ryan took a deep breath. “I’m happy. Mostly I’m scared shitless. What do I know about being a dad?”

“You’ll be fine. You had a great role model. If you’re half the father your dad was, you’ll already be better than most.” The conversation brought Malcolm back to the forefront of his mind. And he couldn’t tell his best friend.

No one could know about Malcolm and the secrets he brought.

“Thanks, but it doesn’t make me feel better. What’s been going on with you?”

Work. Always a safe topic. “Same old. Production’s flying on the new game to get it out for the holidays. Gamers are already buzzing about it.”

“You don’t sound too excited about making another million.”

“I have some group bitching. It’s evil, bad for kids, too violent. Same old crap.” But the noise could impact the new phase of the foundation.

Ryan laughed. “Whenever you want to give up the corporate life, I’ve got plenty of work to do around here. Three more apartments after this one.”

“Have you and Quinn decided where you’re going to live?”

“We’ll stay at the loft for now. She wants to sell it. Indy thinks she should rent it out. It’s one of those places that’ll retain value. Indy’s looking for houses near Twilight for us.”

Thinking about Indy proved to be a better distraction than anything for getting his father out of his head.

“I hear you’re finally looking for a house.”

“Yeah, but I’m not having any luck. The houses Indy’s showing me are . . .” He searched for the right word. Pretentious? “Not right.”

He finished his beer and pushed to his feet. Feeling the chalky dust on his hands gave him an idea about house hunting. He made a mental note to call Indy later. “Hey, grab me some more screws, wouldya?”

Ryan kicked a box across the floor.

“Thanks, Dad.” He smirked at the thought of Ryan holding a screaming baby.

Ryan chucked a small piece of drywall and it bounced off Griffin’s shoulder. “Not so loud. No one else knows. We’re not saying anything until after the wedding.”

Griffin snorted. “You don’t think Quinn’s already told Indy and Kate? Get real. I don’t get the impression they have too many secrets.”

“Keep your mouth shut.”