Then, like a perfectly timed intrusion, I’m broken out of the moment by a truck screeching into the lot two spaces down from us. Eden’s truck.
I lightly tap Tek on the cheek before climbing back over to my side of the van with a giant smile on my face.
“You still wanna do it on your own?”
I nod, and exit the van.
With my heart in my throat, I wait until Eden is out of his truck before approaching. “Where’s Jintae?” I ask, looking through the driver’s side window into an empty cab.
“Oh, he’s, um…” Distracted, Eden looks back out of the parking lot and onto the street. “He got out. He’s nervous. He—” Finally looking at me, he smiles—as much as he can. "Nice jacket," he says, eyeing his plaid parka before glancing towards the van. “Did you come with Tek?”
“Of course.”
“Do you do everything with him?”
“I don’t have a car, and it’s a bit too far to skateboard.”
“Whatever,” he dismisses, and moves towards the footpath, his eyes trained on something in the distance.
I follow, and step in front of him. “Could I have your attention for one minute?”
He sighs; “What?” but his gaze keeps flickering.
“I’ve got something I need to tell you before we all meet up.”
“Yeah?'“
“It’s really important.”
“Okay, so. Go.” He waves his hand for me to hurry up, but I know he’s not listening.
I love my brother. He was my saviour when I was a kid. He offered me somewhere to stay. But he’s also not the only man in this conversation madly in love with someone to the point of being problematic. “For fuck’s sake, would you just look at me?”
“Goddamnit. What could be so important that you need to tell me right this fucking second?”
“I’ve met someone.”
“Congradu—fucking—lations. Are you a pain in their ass as well?”
I roll my shoulders back, and raise my chin. “That was uncalled for.”
“Yeah, okay.Fuck.” He tucks his long black hair behind one ear. “I’m just worried about Jin.”
“And I’m worried about how you’re gonna react when I tell you who I’ve been living with.”
“You mean you’re not in my apartment?”
“Haven’t been for a couple of months.”
“Were you ever gonna tell me?”
“And you answered so many of my phone calls.”
“I had shit going on.”
“How stupid of me to forget that the world only revolves around you.” With sarcasm and spite thick on my tongue, I continue. “While you were off playing house, I was helping keep your business afloat.”
“I never asked you to do that.”
