Fuck. In addition to the Sarah thing, this was another reason why he’d been seeing Titus less. Their partners were completely wrapped up together, and Trev didn’t want his best friend feeling like he had to take sides. He sighed, staring at his phone.

We had an argument, he finally sent back.

Titus: YOU? Did she diss the smell of your favorite weed?

Wow. Though he knew Titus was joking, that still stung. Trev took a breath and counted to ten, but he still sent Fuck you a minute later, without remorse.

Trev felt even shittier when he rejoined Dante in the living room. The other man had a game on, but he didn’t seem to be paying it much attention since it wasn’t the Bulls. Sighing, Trev tilted his head back to study the imperfectly updated ceiling. He could see traces of where the popcorn had been scraped away then painted over, so it had a strange, textured look.

“Is this how you pictured your life as a little kid?” he asked.

“You kidding? Nah. Not even slightly.”

“Sometimes life is just…” Trev struggled to find the right words, ones that would express some of how he felt without alarming Dante too much. “So much effort, you know?”

“That’s one way to look at it. And you’re not wrong.”

“How are you viewing it?”

“You never know what’s gonna happen if you don’t stay in it. Sure, today could be the same as yesterday, but it’s not written yet. Tomorrow is…” Dante paused, maybe thinking of how to finish that thought.

“Endless possibility,” Trev offered.

“That’s exactly it. Bets is dating somebody new, and I think they’re serious. It’s weird for me because I’m not feeling great about Evonnie living with Tyrone and maybe one day calling him ‘Pop.’ But I want Bets to be happy. If I’m honest, I want it for me too.”

“Does this count as relationship talk?”

“Hell nah. We’re talking about Bets, not me.”

“I’ll let it go this time.”

“And besides, life isn’t just about that. It’s little moments where things worked out better than expected. Like getting the last roast chicken at the deli.”

“I never thought about rotisserie chicken as a silver lining,” Trev said.

“You should! It’s low effort and delicious.”

“True enough.”

Before long, Titus showed up with snacks and beer. First thing, he said, “I’m sorry. That shit wasn’t funny. I was pissy because Danica left me hanging, but I shouldn’t have said that.”

“I don’t even smoke these days,” Trev said quietly. “Just edibles now and then. And people do it for reasons other than fun, you know, to manage pain and stuff.”