Page 6 of Rest In Pieces
“You gonna let me in?”
I step back and gesture for him to come in, then cross my arms over my chest.
“I know you’re pissed.”
I snort, and he glares at me before continuing.
“It didn’t matter how I told you. It was always going to end like this—with me trying to explain my decision and you wanting to punch me.”
“I’m not going to punch you. I’ll wait until you’re not my president anymore.”
He chuckles. “I figured.” He sighs and sits on my bed. “This is what’s best for everyone. It’s what I need to do for my family.”
“We’re your family too.”
“I know that. And that won’t change.”
He’s an idiot if he thinks that’s true.
“Look, I knew you’d be pissed. And guess what? I was right. This might make me sound like a prick, but my decision had fuck-all to do with you. As my brother, I expect you to support me, even if you don’t like my choices.”
I was going to let it go, but he just had to word it like that and fuel my anger.
“I’m a Raven, Blade. I’m always there for any brother that needs me, so don’t worry about that. Anything else you need?”
He gets up and heads for the door, pausing with his hand on the knob. He turns to look at me. “When you stop making it about you, you’ll see I did the right thing. Come find me then.”
He opens the door as I bite back a growl. “It was never about you stepping down. Yeah, I’m thrown, and I can’t say I’m happy about it, but I get it. What I’m pissed about is that I’m supposed to be your best friend, and you said fuck-all to me. You let me find out with everyone else. And didn’t that just put me in my place?”
“I told everyone at the same time. Why’s that a problem?”
“So Conan, Inigo, Sunshine, and King didn’t know?”
“Well, of course they did. It affects them too.”
I shake my head. He’s not getting it. “Before they came along, it was me and you, Blade. I’m happy you’re happy. I agreed with you bringing in Conan and Inigo as members and didn’t bat an eye at the relationship you all have with each other. I didn’t say dick when they stepped into the role I always held. You can never have too many friends, right? Except it feels like that’s not true anymore. You should’ve told me.”
He doesn’t say anything as he walks into the hallway. But Blade never backs down, so when he turns, I beat him to the punch.
“It is what it is. I’ll get over it. Go spend some time with your family. I’ve got shit to do.” With that, I close the door in his face.
I think about doing some work. A few clients want things done this week, but I’m not in the right mood.
“Fuck it.” I grab the keys to my bike and head out, taking the back stairs to avoid talking to anyone.
Maybe I am being a little bitch about this. I’ve never been a fan of change, but I’m not ready to admit that just yet.
I’m sure things will be clearer in the morning. But right now, the only answers I want are at the bottom of a whiskey bottle.
3
AMITY
Ismile at the empty campsite. Movie sets tend to be chaotic, so coming back here to nothing but peace and quiet will be heavenly.
But then I hear the sound of an approaching car and sigh. I spoke too soon.
I turn and watch as a cherry-red Honda SUV comes into view, and a big old grin splits my face.