Read Online I'm Your Man by Timothy James Beck - Free Book Online

been amusing if I hadn’t wanted to fling my half-eaten chicken at his face.
    â€œNo. The more I thought about it, the more I realized it wouldn’t work. I don’t want to live that close to Martin.”
    â€œYou don’t?”
    â€œOn the floor right above him? No. Can you imagine having to listen to Britney and Cher through our floor at all hours of the day and night?”
    â€œIt would be annoying,” Daniel quickly agreed.
    â€œI have a much better idea. What if we could get that nice couple—what are their names? I never can remember. The couple on the third floor of the town house. What if we could get them to move to the second floor, then we made renovations to the third floor? I’ve always thought that kitchen needed to be modernized. And maybe we could have one of those whirlpool bathtubs installed. Wouldn’t that be romantic?”
    â€œWell, I—”
    â€œSince neither of us has to give up our apartments anytime soon, we could hire someone to take down that wall between the kitchen and dining room. Make it one big room, with terrazzo tile. If you’re really willing to splurge, we could have skylights put in. How great would that look?” Daniel was now on the edge of his chair. “More wine?” I asked, pouring him another glass before he could answer. “Don’t you think it would be fun to redesign the place any way we wanted to before we move in? Or . . .”
    â€œOr?” Daniel repeated faintly.
    â€œOr would it be too crowded for us with Blythe living there, too? She does have all those canvases. And I’d be worried about Dexter drinking turpentine.”
    â€œI can explain,” Daniel said and took a gulp of wine.
    â€œCan you? You can explain how it is that Mrs. Lazenby died weeks ago, but I never heard about it? Not from Adam, who I just talked to a couple of days ago. I’m sure Blythe or Martin told him. Not from Sheila, even though she always knows everything about you, and I see her all the time. And definitely not from you. No, I had to hear about it on the fucking street from Martin and Blythe, with Martin relishing every moment of the bomb he was dropping on me. You fucker.”
    â€œThey’re evicting everyone from Blythe’s building to turn it into co-ops—”
    â€œIf you and I had moved into the town house, we’d be leaving two empty apartments, either of which could have been sublet to Blythe.”
    â€œShe can’t afford—”
    â€œAnd since we’d be living for practically nothing in a building you already own free and clear, I’d have been more than willing to help pay rent on whichever of our apartments Blythe wanted. Even though I’ve been led to understand that she not only has a rich father, but is actually solvent now that her paintings are selling.”
    â€œIt isn’t just the money. You know how close Martin and Blythe are.”
    â€œYeah. So close that you arranged for her to have everything you promised would be ours when it was available. Stop making excuses. You deliberately did all this behind my back because you knew damn well I’d be furious.”
    â€œYou’re right,” Daniel said. “You were still so pissed about the Maddie Awards that I didn’t think we needed more problems.”
    â€œSo deceiving me was better for our relationship than having an honest discussion about whether you were ready to live together? God, you’ve changed. You’re such a good liar now.”
    â€œI didn’t lie,” he said angrily, which let me know I’d struck a nerve.
    â€œFirst it was the little straight show you put on with Sheila for your job, and now this. Maybe you’re right. Maybe I’m the one who’s lying. To myself. About your level of commitment and your ability to have an adult relationship with anyone. Even worse, you’ve got my friends lying for you.”
    â€œYour friends?