Thanking the woman, he paid for the desserts before handing one of them over to Reid.
They each enjoyed a Russian honey cake while sitting on a bench in a small park across the street. They sat there for an hour, talking about Nikolai’s life back in Russia—what he did as a kid, and how he always dreamed of coming to America and making a life for himself here.
Once they were done with their honey cakes, they walked the streets, stopping in at various shops to check out their stuff.
By the time they got home, Niko was smiling like a kid on Christmas morning and was no longer feeling homesick.
Turning to his friend, he smiled.
“Thank you for today. You always seem to know exactly what I need to cheer me up.”
Niko wrapped his arms around his best friend and gave him a huge bear hug.
“You’re the best, man,” Nikolai whispered, slapping his buddy on the back before slowly pulling away.
Looking back on that moment, Niko was reminded just how much Reid had done for him over the years. He always seemed to know what Niko was thinking and how to cheer him up.
He fucking loved the guy.
Walking toward Reid’s bedroom, he slowed when he heard his buddy talking on the phone.
“Yeah, I can try and come out to see you today. I’ll just have to borrow the truck from Niko. Yeah, I’m sure it will be fine. What did you find out? Fine. Don’t tell me. Yeah, I can meet you there. It’s just a few hours away. Okay. See you later.”
Niko quickly rushed into the kitchen, not wanting Reid to know that he was eavesdropping on his conversation.
“Hey, buddy. How’s it going?” Niko asked once Reid walked into the kitchen.
Reid was looking all around the kitchen as if agitated by something he had just learned.
“It’s good. Hey, do you mind if I borrow the truck today?”
“Sure. What do you need it for?” Niko asked, wondering if his friend would tell him about the phone call.
“Oh, I’ve just got a few errands to run. Nothing exciting.”
That was odd. This was the first time that Reid had ever lied to him.
“Well, I can come with you and give you a hand,” Niko offered, hoping that would spur on the conversation.
Reid continued to look everywhere but at Niko.
“Umm, it’s okay. No need to bore you. I’ll be a while. Got lots to do.”
So it appeared that Reid didn’t want him involved. Now Niko was really curious.
“Sure. Here you go,” Niko said as he tossed Reid the keys to his truck. “Drive safe, buddy.”
“Thanks. I will.” Reid turned and headed back to his room.
There was no way in hell that he was not going to follow his best friend. Seeing him all nervous and shady didn’t sit right with Niko. It was his job—as his best friend—to make sure that everything was alright and to back Reid up if he needed.
22
REID
The sun had just started to rise over the horizon when Reid jumped into Niko’s truck and turned on the engine. The sky was painted with a bright shade of orange, mixed with hints of yellow, pink, and a touch of gold.
Reid had to admit that New Mexico was quite a picturesque place to live.
