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“Where’s your mom now?”
“Dead. She died in jail.”
“And Colt?”
“Dead. Travis and Declan killed him.”
“What!?” I shriek.
“It’s ok sweetheart, he was betraying the organization. He had his reasons, and he knew what was going to happen if he got caught. And before you say it, because I know how that brain of yours works, Travis gave me a real shot when no one else would. He gave me a family again, so don’t go at him guns blazing.”
“I’m so fucking sorry,” I whisper as a tear rolls down my cheek.
“Hey sweetness, no.” he smiles, reaching out with one hand to wipe my cheek. “None of that shit. We all have our demons. We all have our fucked up stories to tell. None of us are innocent, and none of us are spared from the heartache.”
Leaning my head back against the headrest, I nod in understanding. I know what he means. I know all about the heartache and the things that happen in this world. The fucked up things that happen, that we can’t escape, and how we end up irrevocably changed in the aftermath.
“So what about now?”
“Now?” he asks.
“Yeah. Just Brotherhood shit day in and day out? No romance for Riot?”
He laughs and chews on his bottom lip, “How about you tell me about teenage Travis, and I’ll tell you a secret.”
“Deal,” I smile excitedly. “But you can’t tell him I told you any of this. He’d probably lose his shit.”
“You got it.”
“Well, Travis was…” I pause to think. How do I sum this man up? Everything he ever was to me? He’s definitely changed. “Well we were just a couple of dumb kids. Stoners. Spent our days skipping school, going to the lake. He was so goofy, always laughing, smiling, and damn did he love with all of his heart and soul. He was my rock. I’ve known him literally for as far back as I can remember.” I smile, closing my eyes. “This one time, god we were like 10 years old I think? My hamster died. I was so upset. He tried giving it chest compressions with his fingertips, determined to bring it back to life so I’d stop crying. And when that didn’t work, he danced around my living room singing an old Spice Girls song at the top of his lungs to make me laugh. We loved each other so much. I guess the world had other plans though.”
“Damn,” he sighs. “Travis and goofy, two things I never thought I’d hear in a sentence.”
“Yep,” I giggle, “Your turn.”
“Well, you know Zeke right?”
I nod.
“Well…” he shrugs.
“Shut up.”
He looks at me and grins.
“Riot he’s fucking hot.”
“Don’t I know it,” he breathes. “It’s nothing serious though, we just… hook up.”
“But you want it to be more?” I ask.
“I’m not quite sure yet, but I think so.”
I nod, “I can understand that.”
We sit in silence for a few minutes, and it’s not awkward, it’s actually almost comforting. The kind of silence you can sit in with an old friend, and just enjoy each other’s company.
As we approach the next exit ahead, Riot flicks his turn signal and I look over at him.
