Page 4 of American Love Story

I knew the smile on Nesto’s face when I mentioned Easton was genuine. Easton had been a good friend to Nesto since he’d arrived in Ithaca. My friend looked out the window, his eyes trained in the direction of the county courthouse where the District Attorney’s office was. “He’s been busy since he started the interim DA gig. Hasn’t stopped by as often. He usually comes here for lunch a few times a week.”

I nodded, thinking about what Easton had said last night. “He mentioned that. Said he’s not sure about the politics.” Easton’s answer had been ambivalent, which was different for him, at least when it came to his job. “Sounds like he’s thinking about it, though.”

Nesto nodded, eyes interested. “He’d be good for this town.”

I blinked at that, because Nesto was not one to get political. Jude, on the other hand, did not mince words when it came to opinions about bullshit happening in town. Once again, I smiledat all the changes love had made in my friend, but before I had a chance to detract the conversation, Nesto called me out.

“Yeah, you’re not getting me off your run-in with Easton to talk about politics. Spit it out.”

I shrugged, feeling stupid, because Iwantedto spill my feelings all over this floor and that was so not the norm for me.

“He was fine. It’s not like we had a heart-to-heart,” I said, lifting a shoulder like an asshole. “I was getting some snacks to bring to the office and ran into him. We only talked for like five minutes.”

Nesto just stared at me, waiting for whatever else I was going to say to come out of my mouth. After fidgeting with my pocket square and generally acting like a preschooler, I finally said it. “He said his building had some vacancies when I told him my apartment might not work out.”

Nesto’s eyes widened at that. “I actually thought about him, he told me he’d been fixing up those two units after the tenants left. He wanted to do something to the floors.”

He must have noticed the confused look on my face, because he angled his head before asking cautiously, “He didn’t tell you he owns the building?”

“No, he sure as fuck did not tell me he’d be my landlord!” I said, annoyed. “You know what, forget it.”

Nesto was not done, though, he flipped his hand and pointed two fingers at me. “He probably didn’t mention it because you would have told him no and pulled that judgmental stank face you’re rocking right now.” He twisted his mouth to the side before really going in. “P, what the fuck is your deal, my dude? I mean, I know why you may be all cagey withhim,but why are you doing this shit with me?” He gripped the edge of the bar he was standing behind, as if it would somehow help him get ahold of his patience. “Come on, son. Even if you won’t admit to your damn self, I know your ass is up here at least partly becauseyou’re thirsting after his dick. Don’t deny, because I know the jobs you turned down to take this one. Not that I’m not fucking elated to have you here, because you know I am.”

I frowned as he spoke because he was telling the absolute truth, but still, the frustration bubbled up. “Okay, let’s say it’s true. Let’s say I do like him, what am I going to do with that, Nesto? I have literally spent the last ten years of my life studying and writing about how the system that Easton works every day to uphold is weaponized to keep people like me in chains. How do I reconcile that?” I gripped my hands together and pressed them to my chest, my voice strained when I finally spoke. “I mean really, I’m asking, because I have no fucking clue how to do that.”

Nesto sighed and looked at me like I was too fucking difficult to deal with this early on a Monday.

“I don’t know, pa.” Nesto exhaled, deflated, because in the end he knew my struggle all too well. When he spoke, the frustration was all gone, and all that was left was a kindness and understanding that was somehow even harder to hear. “I got no pearls of wisdom to bestow upon you. All I know is, life is too fucking short—and frankly fucked up—to dismiss someone who makes you happy out of hand, just because your jobs put you at odds. I mean what do you really even know about Easton? Other than he’s fine as fuck and a generally pleasant guy.” He was ticking his fingers at this point. “And that he can obviously work his dick in a way that totally does it for you.”

I rolled my eyes at that and Nesto chuckled, holding up his hands to concede some kind of point.

“I know you’re gonna keep agonizing over this, and I understand it’s more than your jobs beingat odds.Being with a man like Easton feels like compromising.I get that.I know it’s not anything to take lightly. So take your time and do what youneed to. But just chill out a little, okay? Let your guard down for once. Some people are worth it.”

The beatific look on his face let me know Nesto was probably talking about Jude again. They’d worked hard at their relationship and their devotion for each other was plain to see. Getting together hadn’t been easy for them either. Jude had a hard past, which had made the early stages in their relationship complicated, and Nesto almost let his workaholic ways ruin things for them, but they’d powered through it. Nesto had the life he always dreamed of.

He knew what he was talking about.

I dipped my head, acknowledging he had a point. “I know certain people are. I appreciate you understanding that things are complicated and I will try to take your advice and let my guard down a bit.” I shoved my hands into the pockets of my slacks, still conflicted. “At the moment, I’m not feeling ready though. I need more time to get my bearings here, get a feel for my department and the fuckery I’m sure is happening there. So Easton will just have to be on hold for now.”

He threw his hands up again, like he knew I wasn’t going to budge another inch.

“You do you, P. We’re here if you need us. Let me throw you a bone by changing the subject.”

I laughed helplessly at Nesto’s usual directness. “Sure.”

He looked back toward the kitchen to where Ari—one of Nesto’s original two employees when he first got to Ithaca—who was now an assistant manager at the restaurant, was standing.

“Ari wants to ask you if you would be his mentor. Nothing too deep, just some advice on school, for now. He’s working on getting fully matriculated and wants advice on classes and such.”

The warmth in my chest at what Nesto said was a surprise.

“Really? I thought he wanted to be a lawyer? I’m an economics and public policy guy.”

Nesto shook his head, glancing over his shoulder, before leaning in close. “That’s the thing, he’s getting interested in the stuff you do. He read your dissertation paper on distributive justice and he’s been all over it. Also he’s obsessed with your social media game.” He shook his head with a baffled look on his face, like he was talking about a deep and dark world that he had no clue why anyone wanted any part of.

“Ari’s deep into Black Threads now, follows all the dudes you’re on there pontificating with. It doesn’t matter though.” He lifted a shoulder and smiled wide. “Whatever he ends up doing, I think it’ll be good for him to have someone he can talk about stuff with.” He flattened his lips, worry furrowing his brow. “He’s on his own out here. All his family is still in the Congo, other than his uncle, who as far as I can tell is a raging homophobe. And that’s a problem, since Ari’s been making noise about coming out to him.”

He looked toward the kitchen again. “No pressure man, of course.”