Chapter2
Kelton
My eyes were staring up at the night sky taking in the quiet twinkle of stars. I tried to find the big dipper, but some clouds swirled around before I could discover all the connecting points.
Silver’s birthday party had moved outside to a bonfire that Paul had made. The fire had blazed high into the air before settling and giving off a lovely glow. The air was smokey and sweet; this was one of my favorite things about home. Everyone had been having a good time. I’d checked my cellphone a few times during the night but my girlfriend Anna hadn’t checked in.
Ex-girlfriend,I reminded myself.
I rolled my head to the side and saw that people were starting to disperse and soon it was just Paul, Chyna, Silver and myself.
She looked over at me before looking back at Chyna. The two of them giggled like teenagers, and I watched the way she started shaking from her laugh.
Silver had always had a funny laugh. It was a mix between a giggle and full on neighing sound that would have you laughing too.
I’d made an enemy out of her though, years ago before either of us had known better.
“Man, I’m feeling all of that liquor,” Paul gave a yawn. “Chyna, get over here woman.”
She gave him a pointed stare. “I’m gonna need you to bring that down an octave. That is not how you get my attention, and you know it.”
Paul just gave a laugh. “Fine then... Mistress Chyna, mother of my son, spender of all my money, can we please go knock boots.”
“Oh yawl are too damn gross.” Silver’s face showed that she was truly cringing as her college best friend got up to tend to her husband, her Texas accent coming out to play.
“Night yawl,” Paul called over his shoulder.
“Damn they just gone leave us out here,” Silver gave a laugh.
“Right?” I looked over my shoulder to watch husband and wife depart.
For a bit nothing could be heard but the crackling of the fire that was starting to die down. Getting up, I tossed a few more logs on that were nearby and stoked the fire.
“I should get going too,” Silver swept a lock of hair behind her ear.
I nodded. “Maybe I’ll see you in Sacramento?”
She seemed thoughtful for just a moment. “Probably not.”
“And whys that?”
“You know why…”
“Silver, why you gotta be like that?”
Laughing I settled back into the seat I was in and picked up my beer that was still sweating condensation. Before I knew what was happening, Silver was standing, although slightly wobbling.
Nope,I thought.No drinking and driving for you.
“I can’t let you drive home,” we stared at each other for a minute.
“Whaaat?” There was a gleam in her eyes, a flash of fire. She was about to get pissed off.
“You heard me, Sassy Silver,” I shrugged.
“Oh no the fuck you didn’t just call me that stupid ass name,” she was about to stomp over to me.
I was faster though. They paid me to be fast. Being fast was literally my job. Before Silver could stumble another inch, I was catching her in my arm.
