AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Downing my beer in two gulps, I stood and got another from the bar fridge, handing Dix one as well. The bottle shook in my hand as I begged my friend for answers.
“You have to tell me. What happened that night? What did I do? I have to know!” I didn’t give a shit that I had tears. My mind felt like it was splitting in two with the stress of not remembering what happened.
Dix took a long swig of his beer and bit the drops off his bottom lip before replying. “Griff, I wasn’t inside the house.” He paused. “You know that Bruno had called for the hit on Pete, right?”
Looking around the room, I tried to force myself to have any sort of recollection. The images in my mind were a blank slate. “No, I didn’t know that.” If Bruno called for the hit, then that was news to me. We had never done something like that as a group. Run drugs, sure. But not murder.
“Well, earlier that day, he told you and Davis to take care of him. Davis was supposed to pop him that night for being a traitor, and the four of us went to his house for a deal like we always did, but that time, it was a set-up for Pete, to take him out.” So Bruno had told Davis and me to handle it… I remember having a gun, but that was in case a trade went bad. I’d never had to use it before. Everything was a blur, like swimming underwater, trying to see the memories.
“Wh-who? Which four?”
“Jesus. You were wasted. We had been to a party at Slim’s house beforehand. We were all drinking and hopped up on dust. After a few more lines, we went to make the hit. Davis drove; you and I were in the back, and Kara sat up front. The plan was that you and Davis would do the deal for more dust, like usual. Kara was supposed to distract his girlfriend. I went to entertain that nosy neighbor he had who was always popping up at the wrong times.”
Some of these things seemed familiar, like it was an old movie I watched as a kid. I sort of remembered passing out in the back of Johnny’s car, but that could have happened another night, too. Dix was always our sober-enough getaway driver, in case we ever needed him.
“I went to the old lady’s house down the street and… I don’t even remember what I said to her. Who knows? I was just trying to keep her away from Pete’s house. Anyway, in the middle of talking to her, I got a text from Davis saying shit went wrong and to pick him and Kara up around the corner. When I got there, Kara was helping Davis over to the car. He got shot in the arm. Said the guy had shot him.”
Why would I not remember gunshots? Furrowing my brow, I asked, “Pete shot him?”
“That’s what he said. Davis just said the hit was done, and he got shot in the struggle. He said that you sneaked out the back and we could pick you up from the woods later, but when I went back after dropping them off at the warehouse, the police were all over that area searching for you.” His light gray eyes stared into mine as if asking for my forgiveness for leaving me in the woods.
That’s where the cops found me, too. I had passed out under some bushes, trying to hide. It had been a struggle to make it as far as I did. I had the baggies of drugs and my gun on me. No one could find evidence for murder for my arrest, but I got put in for intent to distribute.
Wringing a hand around the back of my neck, I shook my head. “I don’t remember shooting him. I barely remember anything from in there.”
“Well, now you know everything I do.” Dixson scooted closer to me and put his arm around my shoulder, gently squeezing it. “Bro, maybe it’s best to stay away from her. You killed her father. Look at how you are over this. She’s torn you up. There are more fish in the sea, ones who aren’t eighteen.”
Physically, I felt ill. My stomach twisted in knots as I said, “I can’t even think about another person right now.” How could I ever want anyone other than my sunshine? My baby girl?
“Understandable. But it is probably best to stay away from her.”
I nodded, and he patted my back, then tried to ruffle my short hair that had grown out on the top. Dix had been a good friend to me, despite him having to leave me there for the police to pick up. That wasn’t his fault. Just like it wasn’t Tate’s either. I never should have been in that situation to begin with. Now, I knew I’d have to get more details from the last person I wanted to… Davis.
“Thanks, Dix, for listening and for telling me about that night.”
His elbow tapped into my ribs in a playful gesture. “Stick with me. We can go out sometime, have a good time. You can stay in the second bedroom tonight.” Taking my empty beer bottles, he stood and walked toward the staircase. “You need anything? I’m gonna head to bed.”
Lying awake on my back in Dixson’s guest bed, I thought about my group of friends growing up. Warden Dixson had always played the third wheel to Johnny Davis and me. Now we were growing closer while Davis and I were moving apart. Kara came along when we were all in middle school, but when she sprouted boobs, Davis was the first to claim her. The four of us were inseparable all throughout our school years and early twenties.
Spending time with Dix now was different. We were grown-ups. There were hints of what life was like before, but we had all changed after that night. We weren’t the same carefree kids we once were.
The next day, my body paid for drinking alcohol the night before. My liver and head weren’t used to it anymore. Checking my phone, it flashed with several notifications of missed calls from Adon. It rang in my hand and, with a heavy sigh, I finally picked up, but as soon as I heard his voice, I wished I hadn’t.
“Where thefuckare you? It is 10 a.m., and you are two hours late for work. Don’t give me that bullshit ‘I have the flu’ excuse. Get your ass here in twenty minutes, or I’m calling your P.O. Nah, you know what? I’m sick of giving you excuses. I’m calling him now.” Adon hung up before I could even say anything.
Damn it. I hurried to get up and run water over my face, smoothing out the dress shirt I still had on from the day before and tossing the hoodie back over my head. My knuckles tapped on Dixson’s door, but only a muffled moan replied. The door swung open a little as I knocked, showcasing Dix, completely nude, laying on his back. A laptop sat next to him on the bed with some porn playing. His face was bright red, while his hand was rapidly stroking his rigid cock.
Swiftly, I pressed my back to the wall in the hallway, my face heating with embarrassment. “Sorry, man, sorry. I gotta get to work; Adon’s calling my P.O. as we speak.”
“Yeah, Griff. Just a minute; I’ll take you.” I stood outside the door, thinking he’d jump up as quickly as I had. Instead, he seemed to take his time. Several times I considered walking away, but finally, I heard him finish with a loud groan. That was awkward.
Tugging a blue wool sweater over his head, he smiled confidently as he stepped out of his room.
Smirking, I asked, “Did you at least wash your hands?”
Dix snorted a laugh. “I wasrightthere, man. Right on the edge! What did you want me to do? I’m not getting blue balls for you.” He continued as we made our way to his car. “I allow you to sleep in my guest room. Gave you whiskey. Loaded you with beer. Let you smoke in the bar… And you’re upset because you interruptedmymorning yank. Fuck you, Griff.” He was still laughing as he said it. “Besides, it looked like you were enjoying the show.” Wagging his eyebrows, he gave me a small grin.
Shaking my head, I lifted an eyebrow. “I saw enough of that in prison.” Usually, I’d just ignore it, my different cell mates and I just acting like we didn’t see the other do anything. But standing there watching my childhood buddy get off was odd.
