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“Ray, I’m not going to talk Mia out of her career choice.”
Waving his hand like I’m an annoying gnat he guffaws. “I’ve moved on. It’s for me.”
With any other family member, I wouldn’t hesitate when asked for help. Raymond is a different story. This favor could be anything from loaning him twenty bucks to helping him move.
“Sounds like trouble to me. I’m going to take ten. If you want to hit the head, now’s the time.” Enzo peels off his gloves as he stands and tosses them in the garbage.
Taking his cue, I stand and stretch my back. “I’ll probably regret this but what’s the favor?”
“Go on a date with Bree’s roommate.”
I bark out a laugh, shaking my head at him. “No.”
At Enzo’s recommendation, I head toward the men’s room, leaving Raymond and his pleas behind me. I make quick work of my stop and when I return to the booth, Enzo has an expression that tells me Raymond may have just asked him for the same favor.
The next two hours my cousin manages to keep his chatter to a minimum and topics less annoying. We’re debating the best seats to watch a hockey game at the arena when Enzo declares completion.
“Take a look before I wrap it.”
Slipping off the table, I move to the full-length mirror and use the hand mirror to look at my back. The detail is amazing. My half-assed sketch has nothing on the final product. Which is why Enzo is the artist and I’m the customer. I told him about my idea for a dragon but not just a fire breathing reptile like most people have. My vision always included small personal notes. A nod to my family with our last name, my parent’s initials, and the words “big brother.” At first glance, nobody would see any of these things but I know they’re there and that means something to me.
“Bro, that is sick.” Raymond stands close, his eyes scanning my back and to where the tail wraps around to my shoulder.
“Enzo is the master,” I say as I return to Enzo, who waits with the ointment and plastic wrap.
He makes quick work to get me cleaned up and treated before accepting my credit card and sending us on our way. As we cross the street toward the diner a block north, my cell rings.
I pull it from my pocket and check the screen.
“It’s a little early for a booty call.”
“It’s also about a decade past people using the term ‘booty call.’”
“Uncle Cal? This is a surprise.”
Ray turns his head at my acknowledgement of my uncle. We quickly approach the diner, the place abuzz with activity. I motion for him to go ahead and I keep walking a bit so I’m out of earshot. I can’t remember the last time my uncle called my cell. We usually catch up at the station or if he’s over at my folks’.
“Gage, I know you’re on your first day off of three but do you think you could come by the station in the morning?”
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, I have something I wanted to discuss with you. If you have plans, I understand.”
I walk back toward the restaurant and come to a stop. “No plans. What time do you need me there?”
“Since we both know you aren’t one to sleep in, how about eight?”
Confirming our meeting, I end the call and wrack my brain for a reason I’d need to go in to work on my day off. Unless this is another bid for me to get a personal life. Of course, by now I assume that would be a full-blown family intervention.
• • •
I pride myself on my ability to wear a mask of indifference. Not only does it help in my job but also when dealing with family. Today, it serves both purposes. My heart is beating rapidly and my palms are sweaty. Each of Uncle Cal’s words are on repeat in my head.
Unlike the way he spoke to me on the phone last night, this isn’t my uncle. He isn’t my mother’s brother or my father’s best friend. He’s my captain. The man to my right is someone I’ve never met but you’d never know that by the intense look on his face.
“Gage, I know this is a little out of the blue but—”
“If I may, Captain?”
