“I figure it’ll take me the week to get the prototype operational for them, but it’ll be just in time for the next progress meeting.” Nic eyed his computer screen as he pushed himself back to stare around his home office. The phone propped between his ear and shoulder seemed archaic compared to his dual-monitor flatscreen setup and coding keyboard.

“Damn. Your work is fast, Nic.” Greg, his boss, sounded impressed. That was always a good sign after starting a new job.

“I was playing around with a few options earlier. I think I’ve pinned down the one that will work fastest.” Nic clicked his fingers. “Right. I forgot to send those over. I’ll email you, if you want to see.”

“Oh. No, I trust your judgment. As long as it fits their specs. But you’re coming up with options first? Great thinking,” Greg praised. “I’m impressed by the good work you do. You should keep it up.”

Naturally, Nic wondered what the catch was. Was this project going to require overtime? Or was Greg hoping the opposite—that inducing him to work faster on it would keep him on hours? Either way, he was letting him work from home more days than not on this project, so he couldn’t complain.

Since he couldn’t question it, all he went with was, “Thanks. Will do.” He saved and backed up on autopilot. “So I’ll call tomorrow after I squash my way through the eighty million bugs I’ve just created.” Thank God he was on his own and not trying to coordinate with someone from the charity. That was the route to real disaster.

“Sounds great.”

After they hung up, Nic frowned, pressing his phone to his lips for a few long moments as he stared at his empty desktop.

Then he launched his internet browser and opened Facebook on impulse, only half-aware of what he was doing, and that he probably shouldn’t be doing it.

There was no point in even doing it, but he was going to check on Jake, his ex. Jake messaged every now and then, every few months. The first few times, it had been under the pretense of checking that he hadn’t left anything at Nic’s place. After Nic moved, it was to wish him a good life after the move.

Nic had kept his thank-you message short and to the point, and after a month of near-daily messages, had removed Jake on Facebook. He didn’t take back cheaters. As far as he was concerned, that was a one-way trip.

Didn’t stop Jake messaging him, but Nic had ignored them ever since deleting him on Facebook.

Jake’s Facebook wall was the usual mix of sad lyrics, inspirational quotes on pretty nature photos, half-naked men, and Facebook quiz memes. No sign of a new boyfriend, judging especially by the lyrics.

God. Nic hoped he found someone, so he’d stop bugging him.

Nic sighed and closed the tab, spinning in his office chair before he slowly walked to the kitchen. His voice felt rusty from disuse, since he’d spent the whole afternoon coding since coming back from Plus.

Just for company, he talked aloud as he approached the fridge.

“Should get something to eat.”

He opened the fridge.

“Ugh. Nothing I actually want, though. Ohhh. Wait. I have a can of SpaghettiO’s.” He usually saved them for when he was sick, but what the hell. “That sounds exactly up my alley right now.”

He hummed under his breath, pouring them into a bowl.

“Wonder how fast the bug-squashing will go tomorrow. Now’s when I find out how cleanly I worked today, huh?”

While he waited for the microwave, Nic headed for the television and turned it on. It was time to distract himself with something or another and stop talking to himself like a total loser all night.

And it was time to take his mind off Jake. He didn’t think of him much these days, and when he did, he didn’t care much. That was probably a good sign. But in his weak moments, once in a long while, he thought about answering him.

Nic never did. He wasn’t that lonely.

But he missed being half of a whole, and he missed having a family. It hadn’t been his fault they’d broken up—Jake had been utterly unready for a relationship—but his family had been sweet, and had welcomed Nic in with open arms.

More than anything, leaving that had broken his heart.

But again… one-way trip. He’d rather be alone here than with a cheater out of desperation. He checked on Jake much less frequently these days. It felt like Jake was naturally fading out of his life, which was as it should be.

Nic just wished there were someone to replace him.

The microwave dinged and he jumped. Staring at the channel menu, lost in his thoughts, had distracted him completely from what he was doing.

Nic chose the first movie that came on and headed to the kitchen to grab his bowl and fork. Healthy food could wait for tomorrow. Tonight was a junk food night.

As he settled on the couch, pulling the blanket around his shoulders, Nic smiled to himself. A nature documentary. Perfect.

He fell asleep to the lulling tones of the narrator describing jellyfish species and the backdrop of gentle music over lapping waves. Aside from the drone of the television, the house was utterly soundless and still.