Peaked in High School

Time's Up

Three and a half weeks pass by as February fades into March.

Beau loves his new job at Mrs. T's bookstore, Tremendous Reads. He had opened up to Mrs. T about possibly being dyslexic to which she told him that they would work on his reading when they have free time in the store. Although it is still a struggle for him, he has definitely noticed improvements in his reading comprehension as of late.

Books are strewn all throughout the house now, but Everett can't find it in himself to be mad about the slight mess. He is proud of Beau and the progress he's making personally and professionally.

The two of them have grown close over the last few weeks. They often take walks through Sinting, cook together and hang out around the house. Everett's sense of humor is beginning to morph with Beau's, much to his guest's amusement. The childish jokes he makes to Beau always catch the man off guard—sometimes causing him to laugh so hard that tears end up streaming down his face.

Everett has learned to loosen up and Beau finds that he too has gained quite a bit of knowledge from his roommate. The host loves to cook and has been teaching Beau how to make a couple different recipes such as spaghetti, baked chicken, wedding soup, salad, etc.

Additionally, Everett is helping him to unlearn the self-doubt that has built up inside of him after years of failure. When Beau is hard on himself or unconsciously expresses his insecurities, Everett reminds him of all of his recent accomplishments. He also emphasizes how drastically different he is from the unruly drunk man that was causing trouble at the bar a couple weeks ago.

They have just arrived home after a decent amount of walking where they window-shopped in town and strolled through the local dog park. It's a Saturday, which means they followed their usual routine of church, brunch and shopping. Beau had been complaining that he felt sweaty from their walk and went upstairs to shower as soon as they got back to the house.

Everett changed into sweatpants and a t-shirt and is now lazily flipping through TV channels as he waits for Beau to come downstairs and pick something for them to watch. He raises his head up from where it was leaned back against the couch when he hears the doorbell go off.

Opening the door, his legs go shaky and numb at the sight before him.

"Char?" He asks, thinking he is somehow imagining his wife's presence.

"Hi, Ev. Can I come in?" She has a small suitcase with her, which is far less luggage than what she left with last month. The Uber she arrived in also shows no sign of leaving the driveway.

Everett opens the door wider for her to step through. Charlotte walks in and seemingly assesses the area around her. The house isn't too messy, but some of Beau's books and clothes are scattered here and there.

Without saying a word, she leaves her suitcase by the front door and heads into the kitchen. Everett has an awful feeling of déjà vu as she sits at the table similarly to how she did the last time he saw her.

"It's been a month," she states while staring up at him. Everett doesn't sit at the table with her. He has too much nervous energy, so he chooses to stand and lean against the counter next to the table instead.

"It's been a month," he repeats her words in a daze.

Before she can continue the conversation, Beau walks into the kitchen freshly showered in nothing but his boxers. The guy couldn't have picked a worse time to saunter naked through the house.

Beau freezes as he enters the room and briefly eyes his phone on the table in front of Charlotte. He must've ran downstairs to grab it real quick, but is now caught awkwardly in the middle of the Fowler couple's confrontation.

"Who is this, Ev?" Charlotte narrows her eyes and is looking Beau up and down.

Clearly not appreciating her judging stare, Beau shuffles closer to Everett and places an arm around his waist. Everett can feel Beau's front pressed against his back. He radiates heat which emanates profusely from Beau's bare skin through Everett's thin t-shirt. There's a smirk on Beau's face when he sees Charlotte scoff at their closeness and decides to push her buttons some more.

"You must be Charlotte—I'm Everett's gay lover. Isn't that right, snookums?" Beau lightly squeezes his hip and rests his chin on the top of Everett's head. The position doesn't last for long as Everett immediately wiggles out of his grasp and denies Beau's claims.

Everett's cheeks are dusted pink as he hastily clarifies, "He's joking. This is my friend, Beau. We were neighbors growing up and he's staying here with me for a bit."

"Are you serious? I'm gone for one month and you're sleeping with men again?" Charlotte's voice raises an octave as she questions her husband.

"Again?" Everett hears Beau mumble from behind him.

Shaking his head desperately, he responds, "No, Char. I'm being serious—he's my friend. Nothing is happening between us."

Charlotte won't meet his eyes as she stands from her seat. "I can't believe you. What a waste of time. Giving you space was a waste of time, the plane ride here was a waste of time and our entire marriage was a waste of time. My lawyer will contact your lawyer—I'm filing for divorce as soon as possible."

"No, Charlotte please. I love you so much—I need you," Everett chokes out as he watches her walk back to the front door.

"I loved you, Ev, but I don't know who you are anymore." She looks him in the eyes and then slams the door shut behind her.

Everett collapses on the sofa and presses his palms against his eyes as he continues to weep. The love of his life has officially walked out on him and he has never felt more empty and lost.

Suddenly, he feels a hand on his shoulder. "I-I'm so sorry. I can try to reach out to her and let her know I was just joking. Everett.... I didn't realize things would escalate like that-" Beau's eyes look wild as he rambles. His eyebrows are raised in astonishment and he keeps biting worriedly at his lips making them red with irritation.

"She only brought one suitcase," Everett mutters.

"What?" Beau asks softly.

Wiping at his eyes, Everett looks back up at Beau before speaking. "She only brought one suitcase. Last month she left with two suitcases, a shoulder bag and a backpack. She only brought one suitcase today. There was no way she planned on staying."

Beau sits next to him and drags him into his arms. The sincere gesture causes Everett to shake with sobs once again. They stay like that for almost an hour with Everett crying into Beau's neck and Beau rubbing soothing circles on Everett's back.