Blow (TKO 3)

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nbsp; “Shut the hell up, Tam. If I wanted to get tired of you, it would have been a long ass time ago. You’re my best friend, plain and simple.”

He’s right like always, and I guess that’s another thing I like about him. He’s never steered me wrong and I know he never will. It’s one of those things you just know. He’s pretty much everything I’ll ever need, but there’s no way he actually feels that way about me.

Chapter 3

Ruston

I left Tamilyn at her apartment a few hours ago. She said she needed to edit some photographs before we went anywhere. She’s great at what she does. Mom had her take our Christmas photos last year. When Tamilyn refused payment, my mom insisted on paying her with wine. Lots of wine. As much as I want to be able to spend a little more time with her, I know I have a few things to do to get my apartment ready for Austin. I’m not sure how to react to seeing someone for the first time in ten years. He’s going to be living in my spare bedroom. I don’t know what kind of roommate he’s going to turn out to be. Hell, if we don’t get along, I don’t know what we’ll do. The guest room door stays shut ninety-nine percent of the time. I have no use for the room besides storage space, and I open the door to find just that. A few boxes are set up against the back wall. The bed is still made like it was the day I moved in. Mom insisted I have a full comforter set on the bed in the event company were to ever stay over but the bed has never been used. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a layer of dust just waiting to fly into the air at any given moment.

I wrap my arms around one of the boxes and carry it toward the closet. The door is shut and if I remember right, nothing is inside which makes this a whole lot easier. I can stack the boxes inside and clear out this space for whatever Austin decides to use it for. Within seconds, the space is clear and the closet door is shut again. If Mom had given me just a little more of a notice, I could have had this bed set cleaned but it’ll have to do. Austin probably won’t give a shit anyway.

I retreat back to the couch and flop down. This is most likely the last chance I’ll have to enjoy a quiet afternoon by myself for a long time. This is one of the reasons I like living alone. It’s not like my parents didn’t give me privacy, but there’s something liberating about being able to do it on your own. I glance toward my phone almost willing it to ring or something. I’m bored. I want to talk to Tamilyn but she’s busy.

My eyelids grow heavy and just as they begin to finally lose the fight to stay awake, the phone begins vibrating loudly beside me. Austin’s name pops up and I sigh as I answer. “Hey man, what’s up?”

“I’m tired of driving, I know that much. According to my GPS, I’m about five minutes away from your apartment.”

“Shit, already? I’ll stand outside and wait for you so you know which one it is.”

“Sounds good, man…and thanks for this.”

“No problem.” Austin hangs up before anything else can be said.

Five minutes? Damn, time just flew by. I’ll take him out for a few drinks and hopefully get to know my cousin all over again. I slide my flip-flops on and step out into the humid air. I should have asked him what he drives but it’s pretty much a given when a black Dodge Challenger pulls up beside my truck. The door swings open and out steps someone I don’t even recognize anymore because the Austin I remember used to pretend to smoke fake cigarettes in the candy aisle and this Austin just lit an actual cigarette as soon as his feet hit the ground.

He inhales deep and blows the smoke out. Austin removes the sunglasses from his face and tosses them inside the car. He softly shuts the door stepping toward me. “Hey, man. Long time, no see.”

He extends his hand and I shake it firmly. “It’s been a long time. Nice car.”

“Thanks.” He smirks. “I bought her a few months ago. She’s my baby.”

“Do you need any help carrying anything in?” I can’t imagine he has too much, considering the size of the vehicle.

“Nah, I’ve got it. Thanks, though. I didn’t bring anything other than clothes. I’m a simple man.” He pops the trunk and pulls out a large black suitcase and a red duffle bag. I lead the way inside. “Nice apartment, Rus. You have a girlfriend to keep it nice and clean for you?”

A laugh escapes my mouth. “Nope. It’s just me and I keep it this way.”

“Aunt Paula raised you right.” I show him to the spare room and he sets his bags down on the floor. “How’d you know my favorite color?”

He glances at the comforter and I shrug. “Lucky guess, I suppose.” How the hell could I have known he would like the blue and gray pattern Mom had picked out?

“Don’t worry, I’m going to start job hunting tomorrow. I’ll put in my fair share around here.”

“Thanks, man. Before you get all serious with this job stuff, we’re going to go have a drink tonight if that’s okay with you.”

His eyes light up. “You’re speaking my language. I need it after the drive I had today. This traffic is no joke.”

For the first time, I notice all the colorful ink that covers his arms. I’ve never been brave enough to get a tattoo. It’s not that I don’t want one. I’m just partial to the skin I have. Austin appears to be the workout kind of guy. Who would have thought? He’s not the lanky kid he was ten years ago, but then neither am I.

“Hell no, it’s not. Tamilyn finally figured out how to get through it with a clear mind.”

“Who? Oh, hell…I think I remember who you’re talking about. You and her still talk?”

“Yeah, we do. She’s supposed to be coming with us tonight.”

“Nice. How’s she been? I bet she’s turned into quite the babe, right?”