25
Miles
Theroomsmellslikeweed and bad decisions. Jamie sits cross-legged on the floor beside the open window, exhaling smoke into the night. His laugh is slow and bitter.
“This is so fucked up,” he says.
“I know,” I answer, passing him the joint. The ember glows between us like a warning light.
He scrolls through his phone, thumb pausing on a message. “She texted.”
I already know who he means.
“Thank you for everything,” he reads softly, half smiling. “God. I really like her, Miles.”
The silence stretches. Outside, someone yells down the street, a bottle breaks, then the sound fades back into the city hum. Jamie leans his head against the wall, eyes unfocused. “Sometimes I wish we were just regular kids, you know? Hockey. Parties. None of this other shit.”
I stare at the ceiling, thick with nicotine stains. “There’s nothing regular about us.”
He laughs once, sharp. Then my phone buzzes on the counter. Victor.“Speak of the devil,” I mutter, showing him the screen.
Jamie groans. “What does he want now?”
“Guess I’m about to find out.”
I answer. My uncle’s voice is low, clipped. “Get down to the warehouse. Now.”
No explanation. Never is. “I’ll be there,” I say and hang up.
Jamie watches me stand, stub out the roach. “You want me to drive you?”
“Just drop me at Sammie’s. I need to pick up my car.”
The drive is quiet except for the rattle of the heater. Jamie drums his fingers on the steering wheel. I can tell he wants to ask, but he doesn’t. When he pulls up outside Sammie’s, I hesitate before getting out.
“Don’t do anything stupid,” he says.
“Define stupid.”
He shakes his head.
The warehouse at the edge of the industrial park is half-lit, half-dead. I brace myself before pushing open the door. The smell of oil and dust hits like déjà vu.
Victor sits at his desk, a beer sweating in his hand. Rico’s there too, leaning against the wall.
“About time,” Victor says. “We got news.”
My pulse jumps.
He continues, “The Ashford girl was seen at Marano’s office today.”
My throat goes dry. “So?”
“So maybe she knows something. Maybe she’s involved. Maybe she knows where the fuck my money is.”
Rico grins, ugly and sharp. “Guess daddy taught her the family trade.”
I want to hit him. Instead, I force a shrug. “Could be nothing. Maybe she was there for advice and stuff. You know, normal people reasons.”
