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Fuck! This was getting complicated.
It was on the tip of his tongue to ask yet again what the hell they were all into and why they were in Argentina in the first place, but he really wasn’t in the mood for another lie or deflection. Part of him also didn’t want the answer to that question because he was afraid he might start to worry about all of them.
“The world is filled with bad people. You learn to avoid them,” Will replied, trying not to sound as bitter as he felt.
It was hard some days when he was constantly worried about funding for the clinic or whether there were enough hours in the day to see everyone who needed him or why good people had to remain trapped in bad relationships—including bad governments.
“Yeah, I know. Just do me a favor and try to avoid Perez.”
Will smirked. “Unless he walks into my clinic, I think it’s very unlikely that our paths are going to cross.” That was as close to the truth as he could get. If he was lucky, his business with Perez would be concluded very soon.
“I guess that’ll have to do.” Edison reached behind him and quietly opened the door. He leaned into the hallway and picked something up. When he turned back, he held out Will’s worn sneakers with his cell phone sticking out of one of the shoes. “Get these on. Charlie is out like a light on the couch. I can drive you home or to the clinic. Whichever you prefer.”
Will leaped off the bed and snatched up the shoes. “Thank you so much.”
“No problem. You and Charlie going another round isn’t helping anyone.”
That was the truth.
As silently as he could manage, he crept down the stairs behind Edison—who moved too damn quiet for a man his size—and out the front door. The sun was still brightening the sky when they slipped into the rental car parked on the street. Will didn’t relax in the front seat and draw a full breath until they turned the corner. His brain kept screaming that Charlie was going to rush out the front door and stop his escape, but it never happened.
Charlie hadn’t stirred from where he was stretched out on the couch, one arm thrown across his eyes as if he were trying to block out the world or just the sight of Will sneaking away from him.
Yeah, he wished they could be civil toward each other. He wished they could shelve all their old feelings and chat like friends. Maybe that would happen after a few years, but not right now when things were chaos and emotions were running high. If they’d met when people weren’t shooting them and someone was in danger of bleeding out, they might have been able to chat over drinks while Will pretended that a part of him wasn’t dying.
Will closed his eyes and leaned his head against the window as Edison drove them to the clinic. After all these years, Will could admit to himself that he’d believed Charlie was the one. He’d expected it to be difficult in the early years, but he’d always thought they’d find a way to build a life together. They’d been so happy in Paris. It seemed only natural that they’d be able to add to it, make it more permanent while staying in Paris or eventually moving to the States.
He hated that the old pain still aching in his chest was related to his own self-loathing. How could he have been so stupid? Clearly so much of what he had with Charlie had been one-sided. Yes, Charlie was happy when they were together, but the guy had never seen their relationship as a chance at something more. Will had been someone to pass the time with and that was it. He felt like a fucking idiot.
Will closed his eyes and gave in to the urge, telling himself that it would be his only chance. After he got out of the car, he’d never see any of them again. “Can I ask you something? How have you been…the past six years?”
“Are you asking about all of us? Or just Charlie?” Ed’s voice turned sly and slightly teasing.
Will’s eyes snapped open and he glared at his companion. “All of you, of course.”
“We’ve been good. The usual crazy adventures and mischief.”
A soft snort escaped him. “Usual crazy adventures. I get the feeling that your definition and the rest of the world’s definition would greatly differ.”
“But Charlie? Would you feel better if I said he’s been miserable without you?”
“No! Of course not!” Will snapped. He shifted in his seat and crossed his arms over his chest. “Well…maybe a little miserable would be nice.”
Ed’s laughter filled the car, helping Will to relax. “Then maybe he’s been a little miserable.”
