He heads off without argument. I expected a sneer at my dig, but he didn’t do that.
That night when we’re standing vigil over a grey-skinned, shivering, clammy-ass Dwight, Scratch motions for me to step outside. He heads over to his bike and opens up the leather saddlebag to pull out his chew. Wadding up a quarter-size, he tucks it into his gums and looks up at the half-moon. “Ya see Tonk’s reaction?”
I nod. “Don’t know what it meant.”
“His dad’s a drinker. To this day.”
“Didn’t know.”
“I did. Carter, the guy who brought Tonk to us, he told me all about it. Guy’s a real fuckin’ piece of shit.”
“Seems to be the trend with us.”
He narrows his eyes on me and spits. “Except for you.”
I bristle. “Ya don’t know what you’re talkin’ ‘bout, Scratch.”
He sizes up my stance and shrugs. “I think I do. But you be as stubborn as you wanna.”
“Whatever.” I walk to my bike and climb on, rising up to pull keys from my back pocket. “You got this covered?”
“Yeah, we’re on it. Weirdest job we ever had to do.”
“Ain’t that the truth.”
JAKE
I can’t fucking fall asleep. This is driving me nuts. I’ve been here sixteen days and have hated every second of it. When I’m not working, I’m bored. Got beers with some of the guys at the plant a couple times now, but it’s driving me nuts that Drew hasn’t returned any of my calls or messages. Jason said he was going to talk to her, but I told him not to do that.
Now I’m wishing I did.
What are I gonna do, call him and tell him the woman’s got me wrapped around her finger, all because she doesn’t want anything to do with me?
I’ve texted every single morning, sometimes just saying that I hope she has a good one. No response. Nothing. It’s driving me bat-shit.
What the hell is someone doing knocking on my door at this hour?
I trudge over in sweats and no shirt, and look through the peephole. “Holy shit!”
“Yep! It’s me, brother!”
Swinging open the door, Jett and I crash into each other, slapping each other’s backs hard. I step back to let him in, checking out his patches as he strolls by and looks around.
“This is a dump.”
I laugh, “The furniture is temporary because I’m hoping I don’t have to live here long.”
“Not happy?”
“Fuck no. But what the hell, Jett! What are you doin’ here? How’d you even know where I was?”
“Certainly not from you,” he smirks, straddling the arm of my boring-ass couch.
“Don’t pull that bullshit, Jett. I called you. You never return calls.” Like someone else I know. “You want a beer?”
“Do birds shit in the air?”
I grab us two and pop the tops as I walk back to him, letting them rattle on the floor. I’ll get them later. He notices this. “You really aren’t doin’ well, are ya?”
“What do you mean?” I look down at my naked chest. “I look gaunt or somethin’?”
“Nah. You just littered.” Jett’s arms go wide. “King Tidy just let two bottle caps sully the floor of his castle. I know you. Something is rotten in Denmark.”
“Talkin’ about castles and now quoting Shakespeare. Impressive from a Cipher.”
“Fuck you,” my older brother laughs. I haven’t seen him in well over a year. His steel-grey eyes are a welcome sight, especially tonight.
“Ah, well, I’m not like you, Jett. I don’t have the urge to roam like you do. I’m a homebody, so…”
“Not sittin’ well with you, being away from our family, huh?”
“Nope.”
“Well, I’ve got good news for ya. Might not be here much longer.”
This is odd, so I cock my head. He knows zilch about Uncle Don’s business. Not only that, but he’s not close with the family, not really. When he’s around, it’s as though he never left, sure. He’s blood, and I love him. Wish he was around more. But he’s got a wanderin’ soul and doesn’t like anything that could possibly pin him down or have any kind of authority to him. Family is both of those.
Being responsible to those you love when they’re not tearing up shit and stealing things? Not Jett’s style. So he stays away for the most part.
I take a swig of beer and say with more than a hint of suspicion, “You look pretty sure of yourself. How do you know how long I’m stuck here for?”
Grey eyes sparkle as he leans forward. “Maybe your replacement is comin’ soon. I’m just sayin.’” He leans back, still locked on me as he smiles and takes a big swig.