Chris used the opportunity to throw away his puke. By the time he returned, Jay was about done rolling two beautiful and generous joints. He gave the bigger one to Chris and said, “Let’s go over there.” They sat on the two sun loungers at the heart of the well-tended, yet not flashy, garden.
They smoked in silence, but Chris radiated tension as he sucked hard on the joint.
Once there was nothing left to smoke, Jay said, “The call from Trevor was the best thing we could’ve hoped for.”
Chris eyed him. “You’ve smoked too much.”
“It proves that he’s planning something, moving his pieces on the board. But aren’t we doing the same?”
“I guess.”
“If he’s actively planning, it means that he’s willing to take his time. He knows that one mistake, and he can say goodbye to his hopes of getting that money. I know you’re terrified, but I need you to keep your shit together, or they’ve already won.”
“It’s not so simple.”
“I know, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s you.”
“Because I’m cold?”
“A cold fighter, yes. Ain’t nothing wrong with that.”
Chris gave a single nod but didn't look convinced. With his eyes watching the stars, he never seemed more lost.
7
CHRIS
He waited on the busy street while sipping iced tea. Coffee was usually his beverage of choice, but combining caffeine with his anxiety could have caused him to combust.
It was almost six, and Jay was on his way. This morning, they had eaten breakfast together and left at the same time, Chris in his car and Jay on his bike. After they finish with Oscar, they would head back to Chris’s house, where he would prepare Italian food based on a recipe he’d gotten from Anthony. Maintaining order in his day helped him feel almost normal, but the feeling was fragile, and more than a little fake.
“Yo.” Jay came over, wearing his signature leather jacket that had enough zippers to make a metal detector explode.
Chris threw his empty cup in the trash and asked, “How was your day?”
Jay chuckled. “Splendid, darling.”
Chris managed a smile. “Ready to go inside?”
“Are you?”
He didn’t feel that he was ready to face the club again, but if Oscar could help, Chris would have met him in the middle of a volcano. “I’m ready.”
They entered the building and walked to the service elevator on the side of the wide lobby. Chris pressed on the fifth and tenth floors simultaneously, which was the only way to reach The Gentlemen’s Club on the top floor. Once the elevator stopped, they got out into the familiar red-lighted hallway. Memories rushed through Chris’s head. That chapter of his life had tested his morals and beliefs, almost costing him Anthony.
Since Oscar expected their arrival, they were directed to room number three on the second floor. It was still early, so no club members were currently there. Chris noticed that the tables were arranged differently, with more space between them. The classical music had been replaced with upbeat 80s songs. Oscar had begun making changes now that Tobias was out of the picture.
They reached the door and knocked. It was the same room where Jay and Chris had met Oscar and Tobias during their last visit, when Chris had been pretending to be a toy. He shivered from remembering how he’d allowed himself to be degraded, but—like now—he had been desperate.
The door slid open, revealing Oscar sitting on one of the two couches with a glass of wine in his hand, wearing one of his many white suits. Chris had rarely seen him without a drink, although he could hold on tothe same one for a long time like a prop.
“You brought Jay too!” Oscar called in delight. “Is my friend Ethan here as well?”
“No,” Chris said.
“Oh. Next time, then. Come, sit. You two are bound to be the most interesting people I’ll meet all evening.” He winked at Chris. “And the most handsome.”
They sat on the couch facing Oscar. Outside the window, the city was a wide map of skyscrapers, the sun casting long shadows.
