Free Imposter in Zebra-striped Briefs by C.C. Dado Page B

(Nathan)
     
     
    FRIDAY MORNING Nathan sat at his desk trying to focus on the research he needed to do in preparation for their next round of tests. He couldn’t stop wondering if it would be weird for him to leave work early and surprise David at his woodshop. David had stopped by unannounced yesterday, so maybe it was okay. Maybe he would just “happen” to be in the neighborhood. Yeah, that wasn’t a bad idea.
    Nathan grabbed his coat and caught the twelve o’clock bus to Freemont before he could talk himself out of it. He might need to eventually get a car, but for now he was adjusting pretty well to public transportation. Better than he thought he would, anyway. He was getting pretty good at not letting his anxiety stop him from doing things lately.
    The bus let him off a few blocks up from David’s shop. He got nervous the closer he was to the building. What if David got mad he was there? Maybe they weren’t even open. Maybe Nathan had assumed too much again. Or maybe David would walk up and kiss him like he did last night. The possibility of that happening was too enticing for Nathan to turn around and go back.
    Nathan finally saw the big sign out in front of David’s shop. It hung above the front door: Handmade Home. Under that was a list of the store’s items, then handmade furniture using reclaimed wood , followed by woodworking classes available .
    He was impressed David offered classes.
    As he approached the building, he saw it used to be a garage of some kind, but the roller-door panels had been swapped out for glass, and one door was rolled up. A showroom of all kinds of amazing handmade furniture took up the right side of the store, while the left side was obviously where the classes and woodworking took place.
    Nathan felt a sense of pride wash over him. He could not believe he was dating someone who could make all of this beautifully intricate furniture. At least he thought they were dating. Maybe he should ask David. Nathan wasn’t sure if you asked people things like that.
    Inside Nathan saw a few people browsing through the display room. He hadn’t seen David yet. As he wondered farther back, he smiled, hearing David talking with someone; that is until he heard what David was saying.
    “I told you I’m not dating anyone. Now get off it.”
    His stomach dropped at David’s words. He guessed he didn’t have to ask now. Nathan stood frozen to the spot, wishing he could disappear, not wanting to hear anymore.
    “Oh, come on, something’s going on. You usually don’t do anything but work and go home, yet you’ve been out twice this week, and now you’re canceling on the Sounders game tomorrow because you have ‘plans.’ Come on, spill. Who is she?”
    “I told you it was no one special. Now go away.”
    “No way, dude. Something is up. Is your mystery girl not giving it up? Is that why you’re acting all freaking grumpy and weird? My friend Ashley who you hooked up with at my graduation party is back in town, and stopped by last night hoping to see you. She left her number. She’s absolutely a sure thing.”
    “Yeah, fine, I’ll give her a call,” David said, sounding like he was done having the conversation.
    Nathan felt like he was going to be sick. He tried to quietly make his way out of the store, but he tripped over a push broom that was leaning up against the shop wall and fell, knocking it down, managing to attract everyone’s attention.
    David and the guy he was talking to turned in Nathan’s direction. Time passed slowly as Nathan stood up.
    “Um, can I help you?” David said, looking as nauseous as Nathan felt but trying to act like he had never seen Nathan before in his life.
    Nathan felt the humiliation wash over him as he realized he was nothing to David but an embarrassment. That was nothing new in his life. He just hadn’t expected it. He had hoped maybe this was real.
    Nathan cleared his throat before responding. “Sorry, um, I’m in the wrong store,” he