"Really? Can you really picture me and him together?"
"Go for it," I mutter. "Knock yourself out."
Even I can hear the venom in my voice.
Lorenzo chuckles. "Nah. Wouldn't be worth it."
I glance at him again. "Why not?"
He exhales smoke slowly.
"Because the man's already somewhere else. Emotionally, mentally… whatever. He's pretty fucked up."
I sit up again. "Jesus, just tell me what he said. Did he say anything about me?"
"I told you, man. It's private."
"Fuck private! He was drunk off his ass. Just tell me if he said something about me. Just that. He doesn't even know you."
"And still talked to me, not to you."
I punch him in the arm hard. "You're such a dick."
He laughs, wincing. "God, you're jealousandviolent. No wonder you're single."
I roll my eyes and flop back down. We sit there for like ten minutes, me trying to drag it out of him.
Nothing. He actually holds his ground.
Doesn't tell me a single word. I give up eventually, realizing he really isn't going to crack.
Wow.
Defending a stranger over your favorite cousin? Fake-ass.
It's kind of sweet, though.
Rava would be happy to have a friend like Lorenzo. I actually believe that.
…
I lock the bike and get into my house. Helmet drops on the counter, keys on the floor, jacket somewhere in the hallway.
Who's gonna yell at me anyway?
I live alone.
I don't even bother turning the lights on properly, just one lamp in the corner. I walk two steps into the living room and my knees just give out.
I drop on the floor, flat on my back. For a second I just stare at the ceiling and try not to scream. Tiny paws patter against the tiles.
"Here we go," I mutter.
Lulu appears out of nowhere and comes straight for my chest. She climbs on me, spins once, and then just flops down.
I put a hand over my face. "Why is he starting to grow on me, Lulu?" I mumble into my palm.
"Explain that. Since you're the big genius around here."
