Page 45 of The Leaving Kind
Oliver leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “What’s this about a landscaping business? Is Shepard’s branching out?”
“No. It’s just me at the moment.” What do you mean “at the moment”? Cam frowned lightly at his internal voice before shoving it aside. “I mean, it’s not really a thing? I’ve been doing some work for a few people. Spreading the mulch they order. Planting their trees. And I have two mowing clients.” Melanie was commuting to New Jersey now and had hired him to maintain the yard so she could concentrate on the house over the weekends. She’d also recommended him to one of her neighbors. “And a couple of inquiries about larger projects. Digging out a bed and advising on the planting.”
Laying it all out, it did sort of sound like a business. Cam cupped the back of his neck, which felt unaccountably warm, and shrugged. “It’s just a little extra work. The, ah ...” He glanced around the coffee table to gauge the interest of his friends. They were all waiting for him to continue. “The farm’s been losing business ever since that huge hardware store opened on the other side of Dingmans Ferry. It’s been slow all summer and—” his gut tightened “—Luisa is thinking of retiring. Actually, she seems pretty set on it.”
Nick looked properly horrified. “But Shepard’s has been there for forty-three years.”
Cam nodded. “From Christmas tree farm to full-service landscaping supplies.”
A pall fell across the table, and Cam immediately regretted sharing the news.
“That sucks,” Aaron murmured before adding the positive spin Cam had come to expect from him. “It’s good you’re putting together a backup plan, though.”
“But if the tree farm closes, where will his clients order their landscaping supplies?” Nick asked.
Cam shot a wry smile at his brother. “Thanks for the reminder.”
“You could approach another supplier,” Oliver suggested. “Set up an arrangement.”
“Something to consider.”
“We’ll spread the word. Anyone needing garden work should call Cameron Zimmermann,” Gray said.
“Thanks, man.”
“I’ll chat with Dev and Leilani about who maintains the property around our gyms. We might be able to offer you some work,” Aaron said. He was a fitness instructor and personal trainer. He, his sister, and sister-in-law owned and operated three gyms around the Stroudsburg area.
“Only if you’re not satisfied with whoever you’re using now,” Cam said. “Times are tight for a lot of people.”
Aaron nodded. “I hear you.”
The game continued, with Gray and Nick battling toward chieftain, which was how a night of Orcs & Swords usually turned out. Gray ended up winning by a margin of two points and the pair shook hands over the board.
“Do we want to play another game?” Aaron asked as he packed up the cards and tokens.
Preparing to stand, Cam put his hands to his knees. “I’ve got a full day tomorrow.” And a dog to get home to.
Oliver glanced over at Gray. “Are you doing a market?”
Gray shook his head. “I haven’t done a market all summer. I’m too busy filling bread orders and listening to Aaron drone on about subterranean caverns.”
With a grin, Aaron nudged his partner’s shoulder.
Oliver turned a quietly stricken look on Cam. “Are you holding a stall for someone else?”
Cam laughed. “No. I’ve got one of those yards to do and a plan to lay out for that larger job, and, ah ... another job for, um, Victor.” He’d decided to give the modeling a try for reasons that would not be shared here because that would involve mentioning that he’d accepted a job where he might be taking his clothes off. For money.
He didn’t actually know whether Victor wanted to draw him naked. Shirtless had been mentioned, though. Victor seemed inordinately fascinated with his torso, and Cam figured it wasn’t all about the scars.
“Awesome! So, you can mention the game?” Aaron pulled out his phone. “I’ll text you a couple of concepts. A sketch or two.”
In his pocket, Cam’s phone started dinging.
“Thanks.” He shared a wry smile with Gray before getting to his feet. He lifted his empty soda can. “Anyone want anything from the kitchen while I’m in there?”
A chorus of “No, thanks” followed him out of the room.
Because Nick lived in the apartment, a corner of the kitchen had been turned into a recycling center. Oliver had provided a sliding closet door and Nick the six labeled bins. Cam was studying the labels to determine where he should put his can when he felt his brother’s presence behind him.