Two Weeks Later
Despite Steele’s warning, I had still gone over to the house to visit everyone else. But his threat had not been empty.
Whenever I came over, Steele went upstairs. Even when I wasn’t there, I was told that Steele was not talking to anyone and had gone into a dark place.
As for Tara and me…well, the good news was that I hadn’t lost communication with her. We still chatted by text.
The bad news was it felt like that was all I could say for her. The texting barely had sparks, and when attempts were made at lighting that spark, the response was lukewarm.
We were both right. She was right that I needed to not fight my friends and needed to make peace with Steele. I was right that her being around me would ultimately cause too much drama and trouble.
I really hated to say it, but…maybe it wasn’t such bad news that this had ended before it had gotten started.
The alternative was for the two of us to keep hanging out, even date, even be accepted by Steele… but then have to live in a world in which the Bandits would come after her because she was with me.
Just like they had with Rachel.
I was lucky that Rachel had only broken up with me. I feared for her life and her safety for several months after. Even now, I still wondered how she was; I knew she was somewhere in Santa Maria, but her appearances were few, and such appearances never took place at night.
But there was no fucking way I was putting Tara in the same spot. I was not even going to risk it. We were done, and it was for her own safety.
But it sure fucking sucks big time.
“Shot?”
I looked up from the couch to see Garrett smiling at me. I knew he wasn’t asking about my state of mind.
“Dude, it’s a Tuesday night.”
“And?”
I sighed, but it was colored with a laugh.
“I don’t know how the hell you do it, Garrett,” I said. “We’re basically the same age, but you can party like you’re eighteen years old.”
“Hey, I know my liver may keel over before any of y’all have to Google back pain, but I’ll be living a hell of a life along the way!”
“It’ll be a joy to watch you turn yellow in the hospital,” Mason said.
“Long as you fight the Bandits before then,” Connor grumbled.
“Hey, that’s what’s cool about this whole club thing. We get to do everything we’re doing, but more of it! More fighting, more booze, more sex—”
“I’m not sure not enough booze and sex is the problem,” I said.
“It is for Steele!”
Everyone in the room cringed. Even Zack, who normally stayed somewhat out of the fray of conversation like this, looked up and shook his head.
“Too soon, bro, too soon,” Mason said.
“Where is that asshole anyway?” Garrett said. “Maybe he’ll do a shot.”
“He’ll do a shot of knock-me-the-fuck-out,” I said. “And…”
I didn’t finish what I had to say. I’d caused enough trouble. I didn’t need to accidentally add anything else with some poor choice of words.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. It was Cole.
