Free The 10 Year Plan by JC Calciano Page B

with an Xbox. Besides, he certainly wasn’t there to play games. He wanted to let Brody know he was tired of being set up by guys who had no interest in him whatsoever. The type of guys who ran away the first chance they got. These dates did more harm to his ego than good, and he was genuinely defeated, convinced that he’d never find anyone to love.
    Brody had a sixth sense about Myles. He knew when he was hurting. He also realized Myles had gone out of the way to have this conversation in person. Even though he knew Myles was upset, he couldn’t lead with the concern that he genuinely felt. That was because nothing would needlessly amplify the situation more than feeding into Myles self-pity. It was kind of like when a little kid fell down and you had to pretend like it wasn’t a big deal to keep them from going into hysterics.
    Brody gave Myles his full attention. “Okay,” he kidded, “let’s start with mildly melodramatic and work our way back to partially sane.”
    Myles sighed. “I’m like kryptonite to my Superman. I’ll never find someone to love me.” Brody thought he may be right. It was sad but true. Myles was a handful. He was like the sun radiating love. Most guys couldn’t get anywhere near him without getting third degree burns. Yet Brody was impervious to Myles rays, he thought.
    â€œIf I know you, Myles, I’m sure you’re coming on a bit too strong. You need to relax, get to know the men you meet. Don’t be so serious; have some fun.” Brody didn’t know if the advice would help or simply make him even more determined to hide in the hermit hole he seemed to want to dig for himself.
    Myles perched on the arm of the couch, as usual covered with an accumulation of Brody’s belongings. “So it is me?”
    Brody laid the controller beside him. He’d have to handle this head on. Myles wasn’t going to let him dismiss this conversation like he had so many others. “It’s not your fault. I’ve been setting you up with the wrong kind of guy.” Brody figured he’d take the bullet for this one.
    Myles cocked his head as if to say, you’d better explain .
    â€œGive me one more chance, okay?”
    â€œNope. I’m heading to the kennel, picking out a little white dog, and living the rest of my days alone.”
    Brody knew Myles was only half-kidding, though obviously he’d resolved not to go on anymore dates.
    â€œThis dating thing is just silliness,” Myles said. “I can’t do it anymore. Honestly I’m done.”
    Brody turned to face him. “One more date. Promise.”
    â€œAbsolutely not!” Myles burst out. “No way. I can’t do this anymore Brody. No more dating. I’ve worn my heart on my sleeve for the last fifteen years and it only gets broken–time after time. Please don’t ask me to do this.”
    Brody felt his friend’s pain, and he knew dating was hard for Myles. But he couldn’t let him give up. Not so much for himself, but for Myles’ sake. If you get thrown off a horse, you’ve got to get back on it. Brody knew that Myles needed a good dating experience to help him heal from this rash of bad ones. He thought for a minute and decided that the best way to insure that Myles went out on a good date was for them to go together. Have a double date. But as usual, Myles was a step ahead of him.
    â€œI have an idea,” Myles said. “I’ll concede to another date… but only under one condition. And it’s non-negotiable.”
    Brody smiled. “What are your terms, counselor?”
    â€œYou come with me. I’m not doing this alone. You pick out a date for me, and I’ll pick one out for you.” His smile held a hint of irony. “If you’re there, then you’ll get to witness the disaster first hand. It’s like having box seats at a NASCAR race where you know they’ll be a