“I thought about that too, but the jury is still out at the moment.”
“I’m beating the tar out of him if he is,” Brad said. “That shit messes with your head.”
When they were shivering, they dragged themselves out and sat to eat potato salad and chicken subs and drink beer.
“What’s your take on this whole potato business, green boy?” Tex asked him.
“I really don’t know. I mean, potatoes seem harmless enough, but you know my stance on that stuff and the entire industry.”
“Because Samantha worked in genetic modification, Noah.”
“I know where she worked, Newman.”
“Seems a bit narrow-minded. The woman of your dreams could work in that field, but you’d avoid her simply because ofher.”
“It’s not like that. I just don’t trip over cute female scientists daily, and even if I did what the hell would I have in common with them? Noah thought his answer sounded reasonable.
“You had stuff in common with Samantha.”
“We did but that changed, and time has made me realize that going forward things would have become harder if we’d stayed together.”
“It doesn’t seem fair that you dislike all genetic modifiers—is that what they call themselves?” Buster said.
“Just scientists, I think, bud,” Newman said.
“I don’t dislike all scientists,” Noah denied wishing he’d never said as much years ago at card night. His friends had long memories.
“You do, but it’s more than just that,” Jake said. Because of Samantha and the baby you’re avoiding involvement, Noah. It has to stop.”
“Don’t hold back.”
“We’ve been holding back for years; now we’re not.”
“Whatever. I don’t want to discuss this.” The beer had gone sour in his gut. The Texans, he noted, were silent and watching. Not around when Noah had his heart ripped from his chest, they likely knew what had happened, but had decided to butt out. He wished his other friends would do the same.
“I watch you with our women when they’re pregnant. See the fear and memories, Noah. You need to deal with that. Talk to someone, Noah.”
And suddenly he was back there in Samantha’s office trying to stop the blood, trying to help his baby live. “Shut up, Jake,” his words came out harsh.
“Like you shut up when I came back with PTSD?”
Noah deliberately took a large bite of his sub and chewed. It tasked like sand.
“You’ve played a part in all our lives, yet we can’t do that with you?” Cubby persisted.
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“You’ll have to one day, that shit festers inside you otherwise,” Buster said. “Besides, when I went through all that crap with Jessica, you had plenty to say.”
Noah said nothing.
“So, Lani,” Tex said. “She’s nice.”
It was out of left field and didn’t ease the tension inside him.
“Really sweet. In fact, I think you should ask her out on a date, Noah,” Newman said.
“What?” He choked and then spat food all over his legs. “Why would you say something like that? The woman is not my type. She dresses like a man, and it’s like conversing with a mouse.”
