Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 85167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
“Idiot.”
“You know I couldn’t leave my baby behind.” Speaking of, he shot a glance to where he’d parked her behind Fitch’s SUV. Safe and sound.
“Are you at the apartment?”
“Nah, I’m working, you know, like a regular guy. It’s the middle of the day here, remember?” Driver dug into his pocket, grabbed his father’s lighter and flicked it open and shut.
“Pfft, regular guy, my ass. I thought you were bartending for Brandon.”
“Yeah, picked up a temporary construction gig as well. Gotta stay busy.”
“Plus, money.”
“That too. Why are you calling? Is something up?”
“I had a spare moment for once, just thought I’d check in. How’s Mikey?”
“Oh, I see, you’re worried I’ve killed your turtle.” He stuffed the lighter back in his pocket.
Harrison’s laugh sounded light through the phone speaker. “Maybe a little.”
“Asshole.”
“What? You’re not the most responsible friend I have.”
“Thank you. I’m going to take that as a compliment.”
“You would.”
“Your ninja turtle in disguise is perfectly fine, I’ll have you know. I’m feeding him every day and everything. I think he loves me more than he loves you.”
“Uh-huh. Except you don’t know where his special treats are so...”
“What special treats?”
This time Harrison’s laugh was evil. “Secret special treats.” When their chuckles died down Harrison asked, “So, really, how are things going?”
Driver pushed a hand through his hair and leaned against the cement wall. “I’m good. Mikey’s good. Everything is good.”
“Swear?”
“Yeah, man, I mean it’s the same old shit but I’m dealing.”
“Not itching to take off?”
He couldn’t lie to his best friend. “There’s some itching, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”
Harrison sighed like he’d expected a different answer. “Just call before you leave so I can make arrangements for Michelangelo.”
Driver ignored the disappointment in his friend’s voice. “Of course.”
They talked for a while about Harrison’s work and his adventures with Japanese culture. They joked, like they always did, and Driver managed to push aside Harrison’s concern. He’d always known that his friends wanted him to stick around. Not only was he letting down his grandparents each time he left, but he was not so subtly telling his friends they weren’t enough.
They should know by now how he operated, but that didn’t mean he enjoyed never living up to their expectations. Once upon a time the three of them had been inseparable. He hadn’t been able to imagine himself without Brandon or Harrison by his side. They’d ruled their little corner of Connecticut like little princes with scraped knees and muddy footprints.
Those times were long gone. He was lucky they were still willing to put up with him.
“Have you seen your grandparents yet?”
“This past Saturday.”
“Did Gran make cherry pie?”
“You know she did.”
“Was it as awesome as I remember?”
He really didn’t want to get into this but he’d never lied to Harrison and he wasn’t going to start now. “I left before dessert.” Understatement. How could he admit that he’d left before he’d even finished eating? It killed him that he’d gone that far, knowing how hurt they both must have been. Especially Gran. He could imagine the sadness in her eyes easily enough. He’d seen it enough times.
“What happened?”
Driver managed to grit the words out between his teeth. “She got on me again about visiting the cemetery.”
“Maybe you should. It’s been years.” Fourteen years to be exact.
He’d been on this earth without them for almost as long as he’d been with them. Maybe that was why things were hitting him so hard lately. It felt significant. Once he crossed this imaginary line in time they’d be really, truly gone and he’d been fighting it—fighting time—with everything he had.
“Christ, when will everyone just back off about this shit? I’m fine. I don’t need to go spill my pathetic guts to a couple of cold stones.”
“Oh yeah, you sound totally fine. If I wasn’t six thousand miles away, I’d kick your ass. It’s time to stop wallowing and move on with your life.”
“My life. Not yours, not Brando’s, not Gran’s. Mine.”
“That’s right, but what are you doing with it, huh? Don’t you want more than shallow relationships and endless wandering? Don’t you want to settle down, have a family of your own someday?”
“How can I when they don’t have that option?”
There was a long moment of silence before Harrison’s quiet voice came through the line. “You aren’t betraying them by living, man. Come on.”
“I gotta go.” He didn’t want to talk about this anymore. Harrison’s words struck a chord.
“Of course you do, when things get tough, Driver bails. Typical.” He sounded disgusted and Driver couldn’t work up the energy to be angry about it. If their positions were switched he’d probably feel the same way. Part of him was just as repulsed by his own behavior.
He hung up on his friend, shoved the phone into his pocket and tugged on his helmet. The motor of his bike roared as he pulled away from the site. The urge to turn her toward the New Jersey Turnpike and head south was strong, but for once something stronger called to him instead.