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“I want my fuckin’ apology,” Cali shouted over my shoulder.
“The show’s over,” I told Cali under my breath. “Rein it in, Dicaprio.”
That seemed to register in his drunk brain. Looking me in the eyes before turning around, Cali continued to simmer as Hil, my mother, and I led him off.
No one questioned as I poured Cali into his truck. Nor did they say anything when I got in with them and drove off. Everyone knew we were from Manhattan. No one expected Hil or my mother to know how to drive.
Exiting the feeder road that led to the beach house, it wasn’t long before a van with blacked-out windows pulled up behind us.
“Jimmy?” Hil asked staring through the back windshield.
“Jimmy,” I agreed watching the van through the rearview mirror.
“Were they there?” Hil asked feeling free to speak.
“Was what there?” My mother asked, still in the dark about everything.
I peeked across the truck’s bench seat at my mother.
“Hil’s asking about what Cali just risked his life for.”
“And, what’s that?” She asked again.
“My freedom to be with Dillon.”
“What?” My mother asked confused.
I smiled.
“So, was it there?” Hil repeated.
“I’m not sure yet,” I replied remembering the pleading in Eris’s eyes.
The four of us drove in silence back to my mother’s place in the city. When we got there, poor Cali was even drunker.
“How many drinks did he have?” I asked Hil as we laid him onto my brother’s childhood bed.
“He was nervous,” Hil admitted.
“So, what? Eight? Nine?”
“Probably. Ten?” Hil said putting the waste bin on the side of the bed.
Staring down at Cali as he teetered on passing out, I felt for him.
“Hil, I’m only going to say this once. And if you repeat it, I’ll deny I said it. But, Cali’s a really great guy. You’re lucky as hell to have him.”
Hil smiled. “I know.”
“Good job, bro,” I said before wrapping my arms around my brother.
“You too, Remy,” he replied, triggering more emotion in me than I expected.
Leaving Hil to care for his man, I entered the living room. Jimmy was waiting there with my mother.
“Mother, do you mind letting Jimmy and I talk alone?”
“Of course. Would you like another drink,” she asked Jimmy.
