Page 30 of After the Chase

"Hey, Ty."

We sit, and a waitress appears immediately. Tyler orders a whiskey and I ask for the same.

"Soooo, finally came home," Tyler says once she's gone.

“I would hardly call New York home.”

“I’m here so it must be your home.”

“Whatever you say, big bro.”

“Where is the miserable Noah? Throwing people into traffic?”

I laugh out loud at his description of Noah, as it somehow fits. Tyler joins me in the laughter and I appreciate the light reprieve. Anything to stop me thinking about Noah.

“His mom died and he is meeting some business guy that his dad dealt with. Looks like he is inheriting quite an empire.”

“Oh shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t know his mom died.”

“Whatever you do, don’t mention it to him. He hates anyone thinking he is sad about it when in fact he doesn’t give a shit.”

“Why doesn’t that shock me…you certainly picked the psycho of psychos.”

“You’re one to talk. What would you call Ivan? Sweet stay at home husband?”

“No, but he’s a golden retriever psycho.”

“Isn’t his hobby inventing torture tools?”

“Shut up, Chase.”

After a few more laughs and easy going catch up, Tyler studies my face.

"You look different. There is an edge to you that wasn’t there the last time we saw each other."

"A lot has changed."

"I can see that. He’s gotten to you hasn’t he? Noah’s world is tainting you."

“Don’t talk about him like that, he hasn’t tainted anything.”

“Hey, it wasn’t an attack, Chase. It’s the same for me too, that’s why I can see it. Just be careful you don’t allow yourself to fall over completely to the other side. You need to hold onto some humanity.”

“Easier said than done when your whole world rotates around one person.”

“Yeah, it’s different for me as I kind of gained a family here, whereas you have become more isolated.”

“I’m happy, Ty. Don’t confuse my situation with sadness.”

“I’m not.”

We both take a sip of our drinks, before Tyler starts to dig.

"Who is Noah meeting with, or is it a secret?"

I’m about to answer, but I’m rudely interrupted by the sexy guy my brother is with, Ivan. He always has a smile on his face and is so eager to get to know you, but don’t let it fool you. The guy is fucked up.

“Chase! Great to see you, man. Where’s my bestie?” he asks, looking around the club for Noah. Ivan has got it into his head that because Noah has exchanged a few words with him in their past few meetings that they are besties. He has a hero complex when it comes to Noah, which has not been well received by someone as anti-people as my man.