Top Dog

“Surprise,” I said.

“What the fuck!”

“Is that all you can say?” I asked.

“Get the hell in here,” Hollis said.

He pulled me into his house, his eyes bugging and filled with shock. He threw his arms around me and clapped my back, and I did the same. I’d missed my best friend. I’d missed talking with him over the years. The last time I’d been by was for Laura’s funeral. I’d stayed long enough to say goodbye to Laura, hugged Hollis while he broke down, then left.

Without even saying hello to anyone else.

It hurt to be back in this place. Glen had done way more damage than even I was willing to admit. My father kicked me out because he didn’t have a spine, but Glen kicked me out because he didn’t trust me. After everything I did to try and prove myself, he still thought I’d take advantage of his daughter.

It had pissed me off, and I harbored that anger for a very long time.

“I haven’t seen your ass since the funeral,” Hollis said.

“This isn’t an area I choose to frequent,” I said.

“And for good fucking reason. Get in here and get a damn beer.”

“Sounds like a good thing to me,” I said.

“It’s fucking good to see you. Emails don’t cut it nowadays.”

“It’s what I got with a company to run,” I said.

“How’s that shit going anyway?”

“Construction is what it is. It’s been good to me, but the company’s in a bit of a shakeup.”

“How so?”

“Wish I could talk about it. But I’m really in town to try and forget about it.”

“You got somewhere to stay?” he asked.

“Not yet. The trip was impromptu.”

“Then crash here. I mean, I know my dad’s across the road and shit, but he hasn’t been the same since Mom died.”

“Why the hell are you living across from your dad anyway?” I asked.

“Glutton for punishment I guess,” he said.

I knew that Hollis and his dad had had a huge blowout after Glen had kicked me out. Their relationship had never been the same because of it, but Glen was still his father. I had always admired Hollis’ commitment to family.

“So you gonna crash or what?” he asked.

“Depends. How much beer you got on hand?” I asked.

“As much as you need,” he said, popping the top off of a bottle and handing it to me. I chuckled as I took a sip of my beer. If Hollis found out the truth about why I was here, it was going to be a problem. I was glad Hollis had offered for me to crash at his place because I figured my visit wasn’t going to end well. And I would need to mitigate the anger and hostility as much as possible, which I couldn't do from a damn hotel room. I tipped the beer up to my lips and focused on Hollis as I ran the plan through my mind.

Fuck. I really hoped he wouldn't be pissed at me after all was said and done.

“So, living across from your dad. Did you buy this place right after Laura died?” I asked.

“Nope. Couple years after. I bought the place because of a string of emails.”