“Yeah. Wasn’t expecting it today of all days. The past can be a cancer that refuses to leave your cells. The what ifs eat at you until the present happiness becomes a fleeting memory.” He’d revealed more than he meant to, but she had a way of getting him to let his guard down. Maybe because she was open.
“Good thing we have support then, huh?” She placed a soft hand over his and squeezed.
He peered up at her and nodded. “I think so. What was it you wanted my advice on?”
“My classes will be ending soon. I need to figure out my job
situation. My sister-in-law, Jolene, is expecting me to work for a restaurant.”
“And you don’t want that?” he guessed.
“Not at all.”
“Then don’t. Pleasing other people will turn you bitter.”
She sighed. “I know. I just… I owe her so much. She carried me on the days I couldn’t do for myself.”
“You’re there for her, too, right?”
“Yeah. At least, I try to be.”
“Then you’re even. Friendship isn’t about keeping a tally. It’s who’s there when it matters the most. What is it you want to do?”
“I want to work in a bar. I like the atmosphere, and being able to talk to people of all walks of life. I want to work the evening shift and break away from this monotonous existence I’ve allowed myself to fall into.”
He could hear the longing for change in her voice.
“So do that. Right now you’re allowed to be selfish. Listen, I work at a nightclub. Managing with a bit of bouncing when necessary. You want to come onto the payroll with me?”
“You wouldn’t mind?” she asked.
He found the thought of being able to keep an eye on her appealing.
“Nope. I can talk to my boss,” he said.
“Talk to him and then get back to me. It’ll give me time to figure things out.”
Seeing her stress level go back up, he deftly changed the topic. “Done. Better eat up. I’m about to challenge you to a pinball duel in a minute.”
“That’s not a real thing.”
“Of course it is. We choose two machines side-by-side, and the first one to lose all their balls loses.”
They swept the sadness back beneath the surface and immersed themselves in the light-hearted experience. He had dark days ahead. He’d soak up all the light and joy he could get to keep him from crossing over a line he couldn’t return from. There lay the path of the nomad.
CHAPTER FIVE
Snake
He studied his face in the mirror, knowing today everything would change. For years, he’d sat on his anger, and bloodlust, biding his time until they caught the scent of the bastards who’d ruined his life. He clutched the side of the porcelain basin. Once he walked out of his dorm and found Data, he’d be ripping a wound he’d worked so hard to heal wide open. Bowing his head, he said a small prayer to whoever was willing to listen to a man who’d sinned as much as he had. Allow me my vengeance, so I can move forward. Es had shown him what the future could be like. He wanted it. With her. The woman had become a regular part of his life. He didn’t see any upcoming plans without her. They worked well together. He couldn’t remember ever having a female best friend he wasn’t banging, but this tiny blonde seemed to like to defy the odds.
He pushed away from the sink and ran his hands through his damp hair. It’s time. He walked out of the room and snickered. Couples littered the couches in various states of dress. A few of his brothers sat at the bar with mugs of coffee. He spotted Data among them.
“You got time for me?” Snake asked.
“Yeah, I have everything ready to go in my room,” Data said.
“Let’s do this.”