I shake my head. “Me either.”
We lay next to each other as the room empties, allowing our bodies to acclimate. I keep breathing deep, purposeful inhales like Isabelle taught me. My mind is clear, my body is grounded, and I feel amazing. Then again, I always do when I’m with my best friend.
Chapter 20
Old Friends
Marco
Three Years Ago
Whenstudentsstartwalkingin for the next class, we take our cue and pack up. Thanking Isabelle for a great class, we leave the studio sweaty and refreshed.
We’re walking through a rougher part of the city, graffiti and litter scattered everywhere—a part of the city I used to frequent in fact.
“Dude, my legs feel like jelly,” Jay says.
“Me, too. I’m glad you looked just as uncomfortable as me, though.”
He laughs, “You and I might be the least flexible—”
All at once I see them: my old “friends” Will and Nicolai, stepping out of a convenience store on the corner, not four doors down from us. My body goes on high alert as they turn on the sidewalk and head our way.
The memories of the three of us assault me. All the cars we stole. The people we hurt to get them. The bodies I had to help dispose of.
Before they can see us, I push Jay into a tiny Chinese takeout restaurant, and Jay stumbles over the step. “What the fuck, man?”
“Get in. Order something,” I hiss.
“What’s wrong with you, Marco?”
“I saidordersomething.” I peer over my shoulder in time to watch the two guys stop in front of the window of the store. “And don’t say my name.”
My heartbeat pounds like a drum in my head. I have to protect Jay just as badly as I have to protect myself.
I’m about to grab Jay’s arm and force our way back through the kitchen and exit in the alley, but then Nicolai walks into the tiny restaurant, making eye contact with me. My stomach drops and all the blood from my face drains.
“You’re shittin’ me. Marco? Dude, I haven’t seen you in forever,” Nicolai says, coming in to slap my face gently. “How ya been, man?”
Turning my back to Jay, I cross my arms. “Alright.”
He tilts his head and gives me a knowing look. “It’s not the same withoutcha, man. Didn’t exactly leave on good terms either.”
Desperately looking for a way to move this conversation away from Jay, I gesture for the outside. “Let’s talk out here.”
We step out of the storefront to where Will is smoking a cigarette, when he sees me. He looks pretty much the same—still bald but more tattoos around his neck and up to his ears. Nicolai pats me on the shoulder. “Look who I found.”
Will flicks his ash, but doesn’t move. “You back?”
I take my phone out of my pocket and start typing a text to Jay.
Marco: Get tf out of here without being seen NOW. Do not look or speak to us. I’ll explain later.
Then I look back at them and feign a casual tone as I lie. “No. I’m only here for a couple more days before I leave for deployment again.”
“That’s enough time to help us out.”
“I’m out and you know that. And I left on the best terms I could. I finished my job and kept my mouth shut. Judging by the fact you’re both still here, I can assume everything has been swept under the rug just fine. Am I wrong?”
