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It was her choice to be a cunt, not mine.
She hated me from the moment she met me, and so now I don’t care what she has to say.
Zuko leads me to his car and opens the door. Sarah watches, still waiting. When I get in, and he shuts the door, he walks around to the driver’s side, says something to her, then climbs behind the wheel.
“What did you say?” I ask.
“That she better run far away,” he answers without hesitation.
With a deep sigh, I reach for his hand and hold it in mine. We stay that way the whole drive to Pop’s, and when we arrive, we stroll to the door hand in hand. Pops opens the door and gazes down at our hands, then at me, before his eyes lock on Zuko.
“You brought company?” he asks.
“Yes. Do you intend to let us in?”
After a beat, Pops steps aside and lets us in.
“Maybe she can go outside with the girls while we talk,” Pops suggests.
“Or not,” Zuko counters, not letting go of my hand.
Pop’s jaw twitches at his words.
We follow him into his office and Pops sits behind his desk. His large leather chair does nothing to diminish his imposing frame.
“Kyson wants to leave,” Pops states. I stand there, not sure what to say or if I should say anything. “Did you know?”
“Has he told you this?” Zuko asks.
Pops shakes his head. “No, he was mumbling, and I overheard him talking to Kenzo.”
“Let him be, then,” Zuko tells him.
Just then, Pop’s girlfriend—plaything, maybe—walks in, holding a glass of wine. She smiles as she approaches.
“Zuko, you brought your sweet friend again. It’s so nice to see you,” she greets.
“If you call burning a house down sweet, I’m sure that’s what she is.” Zuko smiles.
I cough and cover my mouth.
“She what?” Pops asks, incredulous.
I step away from Zuko, who gives me a playful look. “So, what are you drinking?” I ask Pop’s girlfriend. It’s a terrible attempt to change the subject and everyone knows it.
“You sure are smiling a lot more,” Pops says. I hear him even though he tried to say it low enough for only Zuko to hear.
“That’s what she does to me,” Zuko replies.
“Do you plan to quit as well?” Pops asks.
“You know this is my life. And she is part of it now. But if she asked me to leave, I would. But don’t stress over it. She accepts me.”
“Good…good,” Pops replies, but I can hear the uncertainty in his voice.
The door opens, and Kenzo enters. Zuko moves over to talk to him, and Pops turns to face me.
“You do know what you’re in for, right?” he asks, low enough that Zuko can’t hear.
