“The truth was I didn’t know if you’d care. I figured if I showed up unannounced, you’d have to fake a smile for me.”
“I sent you money,” I mutter, bothered by him thinking I didn’t remember his sacrifice.
“I know.”
“Got you a nest egg set up too.”
Moot taps his fingers against the window. “It’s not about what you do for me, but whether you’d still want me around. I did get busted for something stupid.”
“Saving a whore from her boyfriend was pretty fucking stupid.”
“I still can’t believe she jumped me after I saved her like that.”
“How’s your head?”
Moot rubs the top of his head and rustles up his wild blond hairs. “Still got a knot where she nailed me with the beer bottle. Cunt testified against me too. What a bitch.”
“I offered to take care of her.”
“Killing chicks is cold, man.”
“So is ruining the guy that helped her out.”
“True.”
“Well you’re out, and I’ll get you set up.”
“No handouts. I’m willing to work.”
“Stop acting like a prison bitch.”
Moot gives me a dirty look, but I know he’s dying to grin. Freedom feels golden. The fucker even looks ready to stick his head out of the window like a happy dog.
We arrive at the same steak house where I often bring Candy. It’s one of the few places where I can sit comfortably. Their back booth fits me perfectly, and I stretch out while Moot looks over the menu.
“The ribs are good,” I say when he can’t decide. “They have a new honey sauce you’ll like since you’re too big a sissy to handle the hickory stuff.”
“I gotta warn you that I’m gonna pig the fuck out.”
“I figured. Do what you need to do.”
Moot orders so much food I end up laughing at him. Despite his company, I find myself thinking of Candy back at the office. She’s been playing things chilly since we had lunch. If I had to guess, I’d say she’s pissed about me fucking other women. All of her talk about not needing romance is a con. She wants the fairy tale shit.
I probably shouldn’t have lied about fucking other chicks, but Candy is always knocking me off my game. She can smile in my direction, and I instantly turn into a complete fucking moron. I hate her for having that power, so I told her what she needed to hear. Now she knows she isn’t holding all the cards.
Based on our kiss, she’s still open to my interest. Based on how quickly she rebounded after the kiss and teased Moot, she’s capable of blowing me off for good.
“How long has Candy been in town?”
“A few weeks,” I say, startled to hear her name.
“She and Honey weren’t close. I remember that much.”
“Nothing’s changed really. You know broads, though. They want to fix what should be left alone.”
Moot shrugs. Soon he’s enjoying his food too much to get hung up on Honey and their history. I’m glad because I have no interest in rehashing that train wreck.
“I have a few construction crews you can hook up with. Once you’re back in the swing of shit, I’ll give you a crew to run. Unless you have other career plans.”
“I don’t care where I work.”
“Where are you looking to live?”
“Can’t I stay with you?” he asks, laughing with his mouth full. “Fuck. I’m going to choke.”
Rolling my eyes at his teasing, I say, “I have empty houses. Or an apartment if you don’t want to live surrounded by old people and families.”
“I’ll stay at a hotel until I buy shit to go in my place.”
“On me.”
“Don’t overdo it, Guster,” Moot says, using the ridiculous nickname he gave me years ago. “You’ll come off pathetic.”
“I’ll just rough up a few little kids and get my asshole cred back.”
Moot grins. “I noticed pictures of kids on Candy’s desk. Tell me you’re not banging someone’s mom.”
“You need to stop asking about her.”
“What the fuck else am I going to ask about? Your dad? Naw, you’ll tell me he’s alive and leave it at that. If I ask about your business, you’ll say you’re solvent. You’re not an open fucking book.”
“Fair enough, but talking about Candy isn’t on the day’s schedule either so shut the fuck up.”
Moot nods and returns to enjoying his meal. I lean back and think about Candy’s flavor. I remember her intensity when she gripped my shirt. The woman is waiting for me to take her, and I’ve been fucking around for too damn long. Today, I sampled what Candy has to offer. Next time, I plan to take more than a damn taste.
FOURTEEN - CANDY
Hayes texts me to say he won’t be back in the office for the rest of the day. While I’m happy to know he has a friend to play with, I wish he’d return so I might know what the kiss meant.
The afternoon wears on, and I keep myself busy by going through the remaining boxes. Each slip of paper is a reminder of Hayes. I smell his cologne at times. Smell his cigars too. His presence remains in the office, making me miss him even more.
By the time I pick up the kids, I’m relieved to have their company.