“I remember how horrible it felt,” Lai continued. “The pain of ripping something away, even though we both knew it was necessary.” He let out a small breath. “Would I sound insane if I said I felt that same pain coming from a car? Like someone had hurt him terribly, had ripped away something he thought would be forever?”
“No,” I assured Lai, because I knew exactly what he meant.
“That car just needs someone to love him,” Lai sighed. “I could love him. Do you think I should talk to Finch before buying him?”
“Probably. But you know, if that Challenger is anything like Fox, he’s not going to let you crash him in a supermarket parking lot.” I grinned at Lai to lighten the mood. “You could convince Finch that this car is finally gonna teach you how to drive.”
Lai punched me in the ribs. Not hard, something playful really, but it still stung enough to make me wince.
I laughed despite myself.
We fell into a quieter rhythm after that, the city sliding past the windows in streaks of light.
“So, I guess we are doing what Fox planned. Waiting till both of them get auctioned off,” I offered, breaking the silence.
Lai nodded, staring out at the passing streetlights, a smile lingering at the corner of his mouth. “That’s going to be so…”
“Expensive,” I finished for him.
***
My court date came faster than I expected.
Lai handled it. I didn’t ask how. I didn’t want to know. Thejudge barely looked at me when he delivered the sentence: the seizure of Fox was reinforced, and I was given ten hours of community service.
Ten. That was it. No lecture, no drawn-out speech about consequences, not even the usual disappointed sigh. Just paperwork and dismissal. The courtroom murmured, low and disapproving, like they all knew something wasn’t right about how easy that had been.
I turned slightly as I stepped away from the bench, catching sight of Lai in the public gallery, his hands folded neatly over his cane, his expression calm.
His eyes never left the judge.
You know what? I was going to take the win. I wasn’t stupid enough to question it. Yes, it meant I owed Lai. More than I realized, I’m sure. Lai collected favors like casino chips, and one day, he was going to cash them all in at once. I didn’t know how or when, but that was a problem for future me to sweat over.
“So,” Lai said, falling into step beside me as we exited onto the courthouse steps. “That was painless.”
“Too painless,” I admitted, adjusting my jacket. “I don’t like it.”
“What?” He scoffed. “Was losing Fox and ten hours not punishment enough? Do you want me to go back and talk to the judge again?”
I rolled my eyes and kept walking.
“Hey!’ Lai called out, following after me, exaggerating his limp and cursing with pain I was sure he was faking just to make me look like an asshole. “Where are you off to now?”
I stopped. The question stung, because I knew exactly where I wanted to go.
Back to the lot.
Back to Fox.
“I—”
“You promised him,” Lai cut in smoothly. “You’re doing this properly. By the book.”
I hesitated.
“I’m not gonna bail you out again,” Lai added.
I smiled. It was an empty threat, and we both knew it. If I needed him, he’d come. That’s what friends did.
