Page 46 of Canned & Coated

The road stretches out ahead of us, long and winding, disappearing into a horizon that finally feels shared instead of separate.

As we snake through the trees, I glance back at the side mirror, catching sight of Tanner’s Jeep behind us.

I’m not thinking about where we’re going.

I’m thinking about who’s coming with me.

For the first time in a long time, I let myself want it believing that wanting it might finally be enough to have it.

EPILOGUE

EIGHT MONTHS LATER

“Alittle to the left,” I say.

Milo and Tanner shuffle sideways along the wall in unison, the frame wobbling slightly between them. I’ve made them do this four times already. I know that. But we didn’t get here easily and I’m not about to hang anything crooked.

“Define a little,’” Milo mutters, arms starting to shake.

“You’re fine,” I say. “There. Stop. No… back. Back.”

Tanner huffs out a laugh. “He’s drunk on power.”

“I’m not drunk on power,” I say, stepping back to assess. “I have standards.”

“You have control issues,” Milo corrects.

“Same thing,” Tanner adds.

I ignore them, squinting at the wall. The house smells faintly like fresh paint and cardboard, every surface half-unpacked, every corner holding some version of a life we’re still figuring out how to merge.

“Okay,” I say finally. “That’s… actually perfect.”

Neither of them moves.

“Are you sure?” Milo asks.

“No.” I pause. “But if I say anything else, you’re going to drop it.”

“Correct,” Tanner says.

“Then yes. It’s perfect.”

They hang it. Step back.

It’s a framed selfie from that weekend. Not the whole story. God, not even close, but enough. The three of us by the fire, Milo mid-laugh, Tanner looking at him, me looking somewhere in between.

Milo lets out a low whistle. “We look good.”

“We look sunburned,” I say.

“We look happy,” Tanner says quietly.

I cross my arms, shifting my weight. “Well. Don’t get used to it. Moving day is temporary.”

Milo snorts. “Yeah, because nothing says temporary like a joint lease and three sets of keys.”

“And a couch we argued about for two hours,” Tanner adds.