“I know, but you can't.”
“No, I can't.” He sighs but then he adds, “For now.”
I laugh.
“I missed you too.” I say, knowing he said it first when I was in that place. “I had the urge to speak to you through the microphone several times a day. You were a great support during the trip, thank you.”
“You're welcome, but don't get corny with me, unless it's to get into my bed.” He stands up and walk to his empty whiskey bottles, finds one full and pours more liquid. “Now tell me, I want to know what happened.”
I tell Rage about the training I had, how hard it was and how disgusted I felt with those people. I tell him about how close I was to get raped, and he clenches his teeth and when I tell him about Ben; he sighs. He doesn't comment on anything, he just nods, takes a sip and then nods again.
“Wow...” he finally says, “I knew you were going to handle it all, but, kiddo, this was beyond my expectations.”
“Thanks, I almost lost my life several times, but it's all over now.”
“I guess.”
Rage's infinite black eyes look at me with sadness, I'm dying to know what's really wrong with him.
After a strange game of looks, I change the subject again.
“I know that ‘you just want to fuck me,’” I say, imitating his thick, grumpy voice.
He laughs.
“But I really like you and as much as you hate it when I say it, you are a great friend, I would like you to know that you can count on me for whatever you need too, I owe you a favor, anyway.”
“That favor will be collected when the time is right,” he replies. “But I understand what you are saying.”
Without knowing how to face the next issue, I just... “Bruno proposed to me.”
“I know.” He answers dryly.
He doesn’t say ‘congratulations’ or ‘I’m happy for you’.
“I said yes.”
“I assumed.”
Shit, he starts rocking on his couch.
I take the invitation from my pocket and drag it over the table. He doesn't move, he just watches it as I bring it to him.
“You don't have to come if you don't want to, I'll understand, but you're the only friend I have and the one I'm most looking forward to share that day, so...”
He sighs and takes another drink.
“Are you inviting me to your wedding?” his eyebrows snap together “Does Bruno know?”
Why does everyone ask Bruno's permission first?
“He knows, and although he finds it difficult to understand our relationship, he ended up accepting it.”
“Strange, last time we talk, he wanted to kill me.”
“That's because you told him we kissed! You idiot!”
Silence.
