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“And he did? He left you alone against seven men?! Not only do you have bad taste in women, but obviously men too,” Ford growled.
“I wasn’t on a fuckin’ date, Ford.” Dana couldn’t even look at his partner. Nor was he interested in justifying himself again. He had to get to Sway. He stood and listened but didn’t hear anything. Dana called out, “Marco!”
After a second he heard a soft “Polo.”
It was one of the only games they’d played when they were boys. Marco Polo and doctor. Dana released a gust of air and ran a few more feet to where Sway was crawling out from behind a dumpster. His knees had dark stains and there was some grime on the hem of his sweater. His face was flushed and his eyes were red, but Dana knew it had little to do with the brisk temperature. Sway ran towards him and threw his arms around his neck.
“I was scared. I thought you weren’t coming.”
“You know I wouldn’t leave you.” Dana buried his face in the top of Sway’s head, holding him tight until his friend stopped shaking. If anything had happened to him, he’d never survive it. Criminals, thugs, didn’t fight fair. It was a common tactic to use your enemies’ loved ones to gain the upper hand. Sway was his brother, he’d been there from the beginning. Ever since his father moved them into the neighborhood when he was six, the three of them had been inseparable. He couldn’t lose his family.
“I can see you’re fine. I’ll leave you two alone.” Ford turned his back, completely misreading their brotherly affection.
“Ford, wait,” Dana called out.
“Ford? That’s him?” Sway tried to whisper, but when Ford slowed and turned his head, Dana knew he’d heard him.
“Yes. And thank you, Sway, for pointing that out right now,” Dana murmured, releasing his friend.
“Ford, this is my best friend, Sway Hamilton. We grew up in the same neighborhood. Sway, this is Bradford King.”
Sway quickly threw his hand out, waiting for Ford to drop the skepticism and accept the gesture. When he finally did, Sway continued, “I’ve heard a lot about you. Thank you for coming so quickly. I’d only be a distraction to Dana if I didn’t go. He’s always made me hide. Even when we were younger. I had to run and he and my brother would fight. It was a rough neighborhood.”
“It’s the cards you were dealt, Squirt. You’re a healer not a fighter.” Dana tried to lighten the mood but no one was smiling just yet. The situation was still too fresh on their minds, all of them realizing that the ambush could’ve gone very differently.
“Your name’s not Marco?” Ford asked.
Sway and Dana both laughed before Sway explained. “No. It’s the old kid’s game, that’s why I answered ‘Polo.’”
“Why not just call his name?” Ford grumbled at Dana, folding his big arms over his chest.
“Because. I was tricked before. Someone called my name to come out of hiding – said my brother sent them to get me – it was bull. So later, I only came out when one of them called Marco. I know it’s kind of elementary now, but I knew he was serious when he told me to be Polo. I don’t question him anymore.” Sway looked back over his shoulder at Dana. “But, like I said. Thank you for coming.”
“Of course, I came,” Ford answered, looking over Sway’s head at Dana. “He knew I would.”
“Yeah, I did know,” Dana almost whispered, staring into Ford’s midnight eyes.
Ford could only stare back.
Dana finally broke eye contact. Sway was looking back and forth between them with a perceptive smile on his lips.
“Come on. You better get home. I’m sure your mom is wondering why you’re late for Golden Girls.”
“Piss off.” Sway blushed, covering his face. They made their way back to the parking lot and Dana closed Sway inside his late model Impala. “You know what to do.”
“I know, I know. I’ll text when I’m home, D.” Sway started his car and powered down the window as he was leaving the space. “You be sure to text me when you dump that witch.”
Dana couldn’t even retort because he was too busy balking at Ford’s response, which was a grunt and a squint of his eyes.
Sway whispered successfully, “Oh yeah. He likes you, alright.”
Dana waved Sway away. “Go home, Squirt.”
Ford
Ford wasn’t sure he was buying the friend crap, but the more the smaller man talked, the more Ford realized that their relationship had to be brotherly. He spoke of Dana like he was an over-protective older brother. Ford could relate.
When that alarm sounded right after he’d finished working out, his heart practically leaped out of his chest seeing that it was Dana who had activated it. He hadn’t felt such an overwhelming urge to attack since Brian had pushed the alarm when he was held captive at the office. Now that he knew Dana was alright, he felt a crushing sense of relief.
