My eyes close as I desperately try to breathe, but it feels trapped in my chest. When I am finally able to suck in a shallow breath, my eyes open to find Cano gone.
I don’t waste time getting home. A cab I usually don’t splurge on gets me home in minutes. Once I’m inside, I lock my door and start stripping out of my clothes. The small shower in my bathroom doesn’t have great water pressure, but I waste no time. Getting hit with the cold blast does its job. I need to get clean, to wash off the grime and disgust from Oscar Cano.
Before I realize what’s happening, I’m sitting on the floor of the shower, sobbing.
I fear I’ve gotten too close to the sun, and the only thing left for me is to burn.
Chapter 11
Adam
I’m worried about Nova.
I left the restaurant shortly after her and saw her and Cano around the corner. He was close. If I know him, there was a subtle threat about staying quiet. When he kissed her cheek, it took everything in me to not intervene. I know better, though. Intervening would have put Nova on Oscar’s radar more, as well as me. We need less heat on us, not more. I can’t give anyone in this crew ammunition. If we decide later on to play the “being a couple” card then at least the decision is made by both of us.
If only she knew who you really were. Anything you do with her outside of friendship will be fake, or perceived fake when the truth comes out.
I keep pace with Nova and follow her, even in the taxi, to her apartment to make sure she gets there okay.
Then I spend all night parked in front of her place, as a sort of protector.
Yeah, fake my ass.
Me:
We could laminate the paper.
Nova:
If you want it to be discovered by every nosy old lady and curious toddler, sure.
Me:
Might be a little too overly cautious there. We’re talking about a strip club not a daycare.
Nova:
I feel like I’m barely being cautious enough. Maybe you should amp up yours, then you’ll come up with some better ideas.
Me:
A postcard?
Nova:
Veto.
Me:
What? Why?
Nova:
Same reason as above.
Me:
You’re just busting my balls.
