In Too Deep

“Yeah, I figure it’s about time for me to get out of your hair. Cabinets are officially done. All the doors are attached and shelves installed.”

“And they look phenomenal,” Chloe said.

“Thanks.”

“I know I give you a hard time, but you can stay,” Ronan offered.

“You have your thing going on. Chloe’s here. You don’t need me lurking around.”

“Where are you gonna go? You still don’t even have a job.”

“I’ll be fine. I always land on my feet. Luck of the Irish, I think.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You don’t have a place to go to. Stay here till you find one.”

“Thanks for the offer, but I need to go. I have to figure things out.”

“At least stay for dinner,” Chloe said. “We have pizza coming.”

“That I can do. Hard to say no to pizza.”

The doorbell rang and Chloe went to grab the food from the delivery guy. Ronan pinned him with his big brother stare.

“Aren’t you tired of running around? It’s time to grow up.”

Declan nodded. “I know. That’s why I can’t stay.”

Those were words he knew Ronan could respect. As someone who had distanced himself from the family while he figured out his shit, Ronan would understand where Declan was coming from.

“You don’t need to worry about me. I have friends I can crash with until I figure out what I want. Someone’s always looking for a roommate.”

“We’re here if you ever need anything.”

“Thanks, man.” He turned and looked at the cabinets again. “And thanks for trusting me with this.”

“You have real potential there. If you want to do this, I can make some calls.”

“I’ll let you know.”

“Come on, boys. Grab the beer. Pizza’s here.”

They took three bottles from the fridge and went to the living room, which was newly furnished. Declan wasn’t the only one who was changing his stance on how he’d been living life. “Chloe’s a good influence on you. ’Bout time you got real furniture.”

Ronan chuckled. “This coming from the guy who doesn’t even have a house. He’s gonna criticize my lack of furniture.”

Declan laughed. It was good to have his brother back in his life. As tempting as Ronan’s offer to stay was, Declan knew that if he stayed it would be too easy. He’d been taking the easy way for years. He had convinced himself that it was the only way to live life. If he buckled down and became responsible, he’d grow to resent it and run off like his father had. Now he had to re-evaluate everything about his life.

The first step was figuring out who he was.

***