Page 363 of Devil’s Disciples

“In some respects, I guess that’s good,” I said. “I mean, it’s good for your business. People see that crap on Instagram, or whatever, and they come in here. I just think it’s sad that that’s what our world has evolved into.”

He stood. “It’s sad, but it’s true.”

It was true. The world had evolved into a much less meaningful place. I wanted human interaction. To be touched by hands, not by a .GIF or a meme.

As he walked away, I looked at the message board.

Ally,

A wise man once told me, “See with your heart, not your eyes.”

I closed my eyes this morning.

You appeared.

I’ll be back at six o’clock.

Goose.

His words filled me with warmth.

I wondered if he truly saw me when he closed his eyes.

Or.

If he knew my secrets. If that knowledge was drawing him closer. If his feelings were a ploy. If he was trying to protect what he believed was rightfully his.

Time, I guessed, would tell.

132

Goose

My motivation the see Ally was driven by my instinct to survive. In her absence, my heart ached. Being in her presence temporarily fixed what was broken. Having experienced both ends of what the spectrum offered, seeing her on a more frequent basis seemed to be the logical answer. I’d deal with the repercussions of my decision when and if they came.

“Why are you single?” she asked.

I pulled out my wallet and put a fifty-dollar bill under the salt shaker. “Where’d that come from?”

She glanced at the money and then offered me a smile. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” I said.

“It was just a question,” she explained. “You’re nice looking, have a pretty good personality, and you’ve got a nice dick. I want to make sure I didn’t make a grave mistake by riding your dick in the car the other night. Why are you single?”

“Pretty good personality? Pretty good?” I chuckled. “Really?”

“Yeah.” She nodded. “It’s pretty good. You’re a little stand-offish and you’ve got a bit of a temper.”

“What member of the male species doesn’t?”

“I don’t have a lot of experience with your species, personally. I can’t answer that accurately.”

“Why don’t you have much experience? You’re nice looking, have a pretty good personality, and you’ve got a nice pussy,” I said mockingly.

She laughed. “Answering a question with a question is a sign you’re hiding something, Goose. Why don’t you want to answer me?”

I put my wallet in my pocket. “I’ll answer you.” I gave my response some thought, but not much. “I’m single by choice.”