Page 63 of Twisted Fate

Three cigarettes later, his silhouette wandered towards me like a silent shadow, his hands in his pockets and his head down.

I moved to climb in the passenger side of the pickup, but he gently wrapped his fingers around my bicep, my eyes darting up to his face with confusion.

His teary eyes in the moonlight felt like a punch to the guts, stirring something inside me that made me hurt for him.

Fuck, I guess I cared about his feelings now that we’d bonded or some shit.

“Thanks for coming with me, you know? I never bring anyone here. I guess it’s nice to have a chick around to talk to. Thanks for listening too, I don’t like talking to the guys about…”

“Hey, it’s fine. I don’t mind coming with you whenever you want. You’re family, Diesel. I look after my family now that I finally have one worth looking out for,” I smiled, hoping it soothed him even a little bit.

He hesitated before clearing his throat, seeming awkward all of a sudden.

“I know you don’t like being touched, but can… can I hug you?”

“Of course you can,” I replied softly, wrapping my arms around him tightly and letting him bury his face in my neck to hug me tightly in return.

I knew he was crying again as the dampness seeped through my shirt, but I pretended not to notice as I just held him as he let it all out.

* * *

Diesel

How fucking embarrassing.

I had no idea why I even took her to see Sasha in the first place.

I cried on her shoulder for fuck’s sake, and despite her not mentioning it, I knew she’d noticed.

I’d dropped her at home and driven straight back to Sasha.

I didn’t lie about wishing she’d met Rory.

They would’ve gotten along like a fucking house on fire.

I squatted next to her grave, patting it affectionately.

God, I missed her.

“Hey, Sash. Figured I’d come back. I brought some more whisky for us.”

As usual, I was met with silence, but I didn’t care.

I knew she was listening, no matter where she was.

“So, you like Rory? She’s pretty cool. Slash has claimed her as his best friend. You can imagine how well Skeet’s taking that, since she’s his girlfriend and all. Hunter and his boys have rolled into town, so fuck knows what blood will be shed this time. He’s got his eye on Rory, so I doubt he’ll be leaving any time soon. She’s crazy, but she’s super sweet too. I showed her a picture of you before I brought her here, and she told me you were beautiful. See, even she agrees. You want a drink? I fucking need one. I brought a book to read together again.”

I grabbed the bottle of whisky I’d stashed, as well as the book I’d brought with me.

I always did this on her birthday, but for once I let my mind stray as I sat beside Sasha’s grave.

I hated myself for wondering what Rory was doing.

I hated myself even more when I started wishing I still had her beside me for company.

I’d never brought someone to see Sasha, but I caught myself wondering if Rory would have read some of the book for Sasha if I’d asked her to.

I couldn’t get too close, because as I’d learned before, the life I’d chosen only took people from me.