Page 99
Colin is where I left him. I walk in with the largest frame in my hand and prop it at the end of the bar. He takes one look and grins.
I grip the edge of the bar. “Is your goddamned woman in the Seychelles?”
He checks his watch. “No. Not yet.” He’s already reaching for the bottle. “But yours is.”
He laughs and I settle into that thought. Mine.
Then he genuinely laughs like he’s been waiting for this specific moment and is enjoying every second of it. He pours two large glasses of whiskey and slides one to me.
I sit down and we toast the photograph. I drink the whole glass in one go.
“What are you going to do about it?” My best friend leans in sipping his glass.
I look at the tree. At the Z and the KAT carved next to it.
“I have no fucking clue.”
He pours another. Leans over the bar and slaps my face once, lightly, like punctuation.
“You will.”
I sit back in the stool and grin at him. What’s a few more miles burned.
“Pack a bag.”
Chapter 48
Harsh Light of Embarrassment
KAT
India
The breakfast sunlight is mocking me. Porter’s hungover and housing a bread basket while Courtney soaks in the view. I open the blog and he’s posted a picture of his pants on the floor by a hotel door. I’m embarrassed, but I don’t regret it. I post a simple statement and a picture of soup.
Undisclosed location.
PSA: The actions of the last twenty-four hours were a direct result of overwhelming madness. Please forgive any offensive actions that were taken. They were meant with the best of intentions.
Sincerely,
Kaiser Agnes Taylor.
In that chair again. Copenhagen.
Like a demon.
XO
Z
I cordon him off again to the place in my brain I try not to visit. He’s lonely on the road. I’m merely something to hold onto, like a teddy bear. My feelings for Zane shift allegiances too often.
From: [email protected]
Subject: Things I hope I’m brave enough to say someday
