Second Chances in New Port Stephen - Chapter 100

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Second Chances in New Port Stephen - Chapter 100

Margo hummed. “Look, on the one hand, the showrunner side of me wants to tell you to get
your head out of your ass and pack your suitcase, because this is the chance of a lifetime. The
unselfish best friend side of me, though? Would probably say that if you like this guy more than
you like the idea of becoming an Emmy contender”—Eli snorted at that, but Margo steamrolled
over him—“then that might be a big clue about what your next move should be. Does he know
you feel this way?”
“Not yet,” Eli said. “But I think he should. Soon.”
“That’s the spirit. Says the half of me that isn’t selfish.” That got a laugh out of them both. “And
you’d really consider staying in Florida for this guy?” Margo asked.

-- 207 of 228 --

“I think I could be… flexible too,” Eli said. “You’ve got to be willing to make sacrifices, right? For
the big one?” Jesus, what a difference one conversation could make. He could go for it. He could
tell Nick how he really felt. And if Nick felt the same, then maybe staying in the Neeps wouldn’t
be so bad. Plenty of queer people managed to live happy, fulfilled lives in towns like this. Eli
could learn how to do that if it meant he kept Nick in his life. He needed time to figure
out how to approach this; he needed something better than the retro beach idea, something
that said all the right things in the right way. He’d only have one shot at this, and that was if he
was lucky.
“Keep me posted,” Margo told him. “Either way, I love you, okay?”
“Thanks, Marg. Love you too. And seriously, congrats. You deserve this. If anyone deserves it,
it’s you.”
“I know,” she said. He could picture her tossing her hair in a pantomime of confidence. “Thanks
for noticing.”
He hung up and started biking down the road with renewed determination.
By the time he got home, it was well past midnight. His parents’ car was back in the driveway,
and a light had been left lit on the front porch. Eli stowed his bike and crept inside, willing the
front door not to creak. The last thing he wanted was to wake up his folks. After their Christmas
Day blowup, they’d been dancing around each other, not quite cold-shouldering but definitely
avoidant.