Chapter One #2
He was only thirty-four years old and didn’t want to be tied down right now. He especially didn’t want to be tied down in Toronto. Although he loved living in the Big Smoke, it had grown more awkward for him since the fiasco with Kristy.
His ex-girlfriend, a TV morning-show host, had embarrassed him in a big way. She’d gotten drunk alone one night and had posted a video to her social media. In it, she’d gone on a rant about her ‘haters’, after someone had left a negative comment on one of her posts.
Unfortunately, she’d begun to ramble after that. Her rant had turned ugly for Nick when she’d exposed the fact that they were having trouble in the bedroom. Specifically, his recent issue with getting it up.
She’d even blurted out a hashtag and urged her followers to respond.
HashtagNicksDick.
The responses had been nothing short of vile.
Nick knew there was no reason for him to be ashamed, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t embarrassed. Kristy had revealed some very awkward private moments, and in some ways, he was still reeling.
So, yeah. An escape would be good.
Besides, if ever there was a moment in his life that he should get out and experience new things, wasn’t this the time?
“Nick?”
“Actually, Lacey,” said Nick, “I think it does sound amazing. I’d love to take the show on the road.”
Two sets of scruffy jaws fell open. Nick took a couple of swigs of coffee. Only then did his brothers stop gawking at him.
“Really?” asked Eli.
“I’m not married, like you guys. There’s nothing keeping me here.”
Michael’s forehead furrowed. “You’re not still worried about that shitshow with Kristy, are you? You said things had died down.”
“They have. I just…I want more, you know?” Nick shook his head, unsure of how to articulate the feelings he’d been experiencing. “I’ve loved building the contracting business, and of course I’d always stay involved, but I’m ready for a change.”
“Are you sure?” asked Eli. “It would be a big step.”
“I’m sure.” He turned to Lacey. “I want to travel with the show. Like, tomorrow, if you want.”
“I’m glad to hear it, Nick,” she said. “And you don’t have to pack your bags yet. We have a couple of months. I just don’t know what the producers will say.”
“What do you mean?” asked Nick.
Lacey gnawed on her lip. “Well, I think they want the package deal. We’ve built our show on being the Handymen, plural.”
“Right.”
“Michael, Eli,” said Lacey, “I want you to think it over. I’m going to email you all some details. Talk to Emily. Talk to Bernie. See what they say. For all you know, they might want you to do it. Let’s see if we can make this work in some way, together.”
Michael’s finger drumming picked up in rhythm. “Lacey, I’ve given you my answer.”
“And I appreciate your frankness. I just want you all to sleep on it.” She stood. “And, Nick, I’m really happy to hear the idea excites you. Talk to your brothers, would you? These chances don’t come along every day.”
Nick nodded, although he already knew it was futile.
Lacey picked up her latte and left.
The three of them sat around the table, closemouthed.
Eli finally broke the silence and faced Nick. “You okay?”
“Yeah.”
“What happened with Kristy…you can’t base your decisions on that.”
“Eli, I really don’t want to talk about Kristy.”
“Okay. We’re here for you, if you change your mind.”
“I know.” Nick picked at his extra sugar packet, rolling up the edge. “Thanks.”
How could Nick explain it without hurting their feelings?
He knew his brothers wanted to be there for him, and they had been the past few months.
So had Emily and Bernie. Lacey, too. Lacey had been awesome, actually.
Because of her prowess with social media and publicity, she had encouraged him to keep a low profile. It had helped.
Of course, he’d never forget the circus of those first few weeks.
Now, he just wanted to forget it had ever happened and move on. This was his opportunity to do just that.
He knew it would be hard for him and his brothers to part ways with the show.
They’d always been so close. Of course, like any siblings, they argued from time to time, but they were tighter than most, as far as Nick could tell.
He really enjoyed hanging out with his big brothers, even though they sometimes drove each other around the bend.
Despite any flare-ups of ego or annoyance, they were still two of his biggest role models, and always would be.
But things had changed when Em and Bernie came into the picture. Nick loved his sisters-in-law, and he was thrilled to see his brothers so happy.
That didn’t alter the fact that he was often the fifth wheel. It sucked.
Nick wasn’t sad about the impending changes. He’d always known this day would come, and he also knew it was time to do his own thing. Michael and Eli both had their own side projects, thanks to the work they did with their wives.
Nick wanted a side project too, a new passion. Hell, he wanted some new experiences, period.
As far as he could see, this new venture was the perfect chance to start fresh and make something his own at the same time.
“Are you sure you don’t want to try this new idea out?” Nick asked. “Like Lacey said, this is a great opportunity.”
Michael rested his elbows on the table. “Listen, I didn’t say no just because I’m stuck in my ways. There’s more to it. Em and I didn’t want to say anything right away because it’s early days.” He broke into a smile. “But she’s pregnant.”
“Dude!” Nick clapped him on the shoulder. “That’s awesome.”
“Yeah,” said Eli. “Congratulations, Michael. I’m really happy for you guys.”
“Thanks. We’re excited, and I’ve never been so damn nervous in my life. If I bring Em one more pillow to cushion her, she’ll probably smother me with it.”
“Is she okay?” asked Eli.
“Oh, yeah. Completely fine. Me? Not so much.”
“You’ll be okay, Pops,” kidded Nick. “Hang in there.”
“Pops. Imagine that,” Michael mused. “Anyway, if the producers had wanted us to travel a year or two ago, I would have found a way to make it work. But now? I’m not going anywhere. Em needs me. I want to be with her.”
“I feel the same way,” said Eli. “Bernie and I just got married. I can’t take off for months at a time. Sorry, Nick.”
“You don’t need to apologize. I get it.”
“So,” said Michael, “I guess this means Handymen will be wrapping up soon. Are we good with that? I know I am.”
“So am I. We had a good run.” Eli turned to Nick. “But where does that leave you?”
“I’m going to pitch some ideas to Lacey,” said Nick. “I’m going to chase this opportunity. Maybe they can do the show with one host.” He grinned. “After all, I am the youngest and best-looking. I’m made for TV.”
“You’re made to be a pain in the ass,” said Michael, chuckling. “Are you sure this is what you want?”
“I’m sure.”
Michael stood. “Okay, then. You know you have our support.” He polished off his coffee. “Well, I’m going to go check on Em. She was feeling some morning sickness today. By the way, don’t tell Mom and Dad about the pregnancy. We want to wait a little longer.”
Eli and Nick agreed.
Eli stood as well. “You coming?”
“Nah,” said Nick. “I’m going to finish my coffee.”
As his brothers left, Nick planned out what he would say to Lacey.
It wouldn’t be easy convincing the people in charge that the show could be done with one host, instead of three.
After all, Lacey always said one of the selling points of the show was the ‘trio of hot brothers’ angle.
If he hosted the show on his own, it would mean he’d need to be three times as savvy and three times as charming.
He could do that. He’d never had an issue with being charming.
If anything, his brothers often accused him of being too charming.
As he considered the possibilities, his pulse raced. This idea…it excited him, and he hadn’t been excited in a while.
Handyman Nick. That might work for the name of the show.
Or maybe it could be about fixing decks, his specialty.
Maybe he could focus on creating fantasy decks, the type one would find in a rock star’s back yard.
Amazing, multilevel creations with built-in hot tubs, saunas, fire pits and professional cooking stations.
Decks with Nick. Another good name. He could see it now.
Nick grabbed his cell phone and jotted down a few notes. With each new entry in his notepad, he became even more eager to meet with Lacey again. He just had to figure a few things out and he would have the perfect pitch.
With a swig of his coffee, Nick headed home, eager to make his dream a reality.
Hopefully, it wouldn’t all fizzle with the producers telling him he wasn’t good enough on his own.