Kyle inclined his head in agreement.The father of the deceased was a powerful man, and the leader of the organization.Aiden Mendez wasn’t exactly a boy scout, but he didn’t have a violent criminal record.
“If you think it’s unsafe—”
“I don’t think it’s unsafe.I think you’re distracted.You’ve picked a hell of a time to get led around by your dick.”
Paul scowled, crushing his empty paper cup in one fist.
“Now that I’ve seen her, I get it.She’s stunning.She’s also a single mom, and she’s 100 percent bunny.”
“So what?”
“Who built the lemonade stand, Paul?”
“Fuck you,” Paul said.“It took five minutes.”
“You’re fooling yourself if you think this is casual.”
He tossed his crumpled cup into a nearby trashcan.“I appreciate your concern, but I’m not blowing my cover, I’m not getting led around by my dick, and I’m not too distracted to watch my back.If you hear more about Mendez, let me know, because I can’t jeopardize the safety of another woman and child.Otherwise, let’s drop it.”
Kyle did drop it, and they went into the convenience store for a six-pack and sandwiches.Within twenty minutes, they were out on the water.They cast lures in several different locations.Paul didn’t catch any fish, but he enjoyed the stark beauty of the environment.Kyle caught two fish that were both under the size limit and had to be thrown back.They gave up and headed back to shore in a mellower mood than they’d started.
At sunset, they’d returned to the cabin and polished off the six-pack.By nightfall, they’d made a campfire by the shore and switched to tequila.Kyle bought a half-pint, which they passed back and forth until the edges of the night blurred.
“I told her about Mom and Dad,” Paul said.
Kyle stared at him blearily, and didn’t respond.
“You know what my therapist said?”
“I didn’t know you had a therapist.”
“She said I’m disassociated.”
“Dissociated.”
“What?”
Kyle passed the bottle to him.“The term is dissociated.”
Paul swigged the tequila, though he’d had more than enough.“It is?”
“Yes, and I could’ve told you that for a fraction of the price.”
“My insurance covers it.”
They lost track of that topic and moved on to the next one.Kyle pissed on the fire to put it out, and they staggered toward the cabin together.Instead of going inside, they sat on the porch steps to finish the bottle.
“What happened to those edibles?”Kyle asked.
“I threw them away.”
“Why?”
“Because they gave me a panic attack.”
“You weren’t faking it?”
“Why would I do that?”
