“Hungry?” Carlos sings in his familiar way from behind me. I can’t help but smile. Sometimes it’s just the little things that can make you feel better when everything else is going to shit. Carlos is still the same old Carlos, and I’m still alive and breathing. If I can just keep on surviving, I’m sure, one day, things will get better, and I’ll be able to get to where I want to be.
... Or I won’t. Shit. I don’t know. I’m just trying to stay positive. It’s all I can do to stay sane right now.
“No drive tonight, honey. We’re on our own,” Carlos calls out to me from back in the kitchen.
Shit.
It’s been dark for hours now and I really don’t want to walk home, not after what happened last night. A few oblivious customers have straggled in and out since the sun set, but I’m not about to close up just yet. Another hour of time-and-a-half pay looks too good to pass up, even if I’m tired and sore. It doesn’t hurt that I’m scared of leaving.
The saran-wrap window is holding up, but it’s making a hell of a racket in the wind. “What happened to your ride from last night?” I yell back.
“Umm, he heard gunshots over the phone,” Carlos teases. Duh. Why would anyone who knew what had happened here last night willingly come back? Well, anyone other than us two dumbbells...
I know Carlos isn’t crazy enough to walk home, even if the wind isn’t as bad as usual. “How are you getting home?” I ask.
“Blue Line!” he sings. “You?”
Shit. Both my train line and my bus stop are in the opposite direction of the Blue Line. If I’m going home tonight, it’s going to have to be on my own. I’m seriously considering sleeping at Chelly’s. With the thermometer turned all the way up, it’ll be way warmer here, in the backroom office, than it will be at my place anyway. I’m sure Mrs. Cheng won’t complain either, when I’m here first thing in the morning tomorrow...
Carlos exits the kitchen with a jumbled plate of scraps and leftovers. His steak and eggs were amazing, but I’m already hungry again. I bow in thanks and dig in.
“I’m thinking about sleeping here tonight,” I float the idea out in the open.
“Ew,” Carlos immediately pronounces, recoiling in disgust. His eyes wander around the shabby diner. “How could you?”
“Ugh, you’re such a queen,” I tease.
“You know it, girlfriend. I’m royalty through and through. That’s why I’m working at this dump, even after a bunch of goons shot through the window less than 24-hours ago.”
I shake my head and hold back a smile. Carlos’s spirit never seems to dampen. “So, your ride has abandoned you, huh?” I prod, ashamed that I’m hoping he’s just as lonely as I am right now.
Carlos shakes his head and swallows his food. “We’ll spend the night together.”
My heart sinks in conflicted happiness. Good. Carlos deserves better than to be alone at a time like this.
“... I can ask if there’s a spot for you,” he starts, before I stop him with the palm of my hand.
“Nonsense. I’ll be cozy here.”
“Shit. You’re braver than I am. After what happened last night?”
A cold chuckle leaves my lips. “Not brave. Just broke. It’s warmer here than it will be at my place anyway. Plus, there’s actually food in Chelly’s fridge.”
Carlos sighs and leans against my shoulder. “We’ll break free from this struggle someday, girl.”
I lean back against him. I hope he’s right.
7
Ronan
This rat is either dumber than I thought or smarter than I’ve given him credit for.
I’ve been following Santino’s trail for hours now, and I’m right back where I started: at the edge of Baker street, with no sign of my target.
Sure enough, the runaway had left a mixed trail of blood and carnage as he escaped last night, but for the life of me, I can’t see it leading anywhere but back to where we had our shootout. Did he really circle back around, or is he just fucking with me?
“Nothing on my end, bud,” Finn’s voice crackles over my earpiece.