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“Dude…” I round the corner, “step away from the drugs. Again, dog stuff isn’t in with the people stuff. And, Castello’s had a wellness check and all his shots; he doesn’t need any medicine. Especially not administered by the guy looking for piss pads amongst the Kotex! Ya know what, never mind, lemme see that damn list.”

“P made it,” he defends, handing it over.

That she did; dainty handwriting with swirls on the “y”s. I read through all thirty-two items, crush the paper into a ball, and, spotting a trash can nearby, lob it in there.

“What the hell?” JT shoves me. “No way I’m showing back up at her place without every single thing on there. Nope, I know better than that shit.” He shakes his head. “She’s in rare form these days… and her normal’s scary enough!”

“Yeah, you mentioned something along those lines earlier too. What’s going on with her?And don’t even think about saying you can’t tell me, orleaving anything out. Wanna know what’s up with my girl, and I wanna know itall, now; the detailed specifics, with lots of examples and adjectives.”

He groans, his head dropping to his chest as he shoves both hands in his back pockets and rocks on his heels. “Man, don’t do this to me. I’m already in a tough spot as it is, my cousin and my best friend at odds. And you know I can’t just rat her out like that, especially to you.”

“She will never find out you said a word to me, I swear. I just want, need, to be prepared for what I’m walking into.”

His head jerks up, eyes bugging out and brows trying to hide in his hairline. “Walking into what, where?”

“Whatever’s going on with her. In her apartment,” I state, matter-of-factly.

He doubles over at the waist, blasting out knee-slapping laughs. “That’s some funny shit right there, putz. You’ve got a better chance of gettin’ in a nun’s panties inside the church, on Easter, than you do P’s apartment. I still don’t know what all went down between y’all, but I know for certain, you’re public enemy number one, bro.”

“Not only will I get in, I’ll get in easily. Door will open right up, dickhead; she’ll think it’s you, back from the store with all the stuff she’s not getting. And surprise, it’ll be me.”

He’s shaking his head wildly, has been since halfway into my statement. “Oh, hell no. You wanna try some dumb sneak-attack shit, you do it on your own time. No way am I being part of any switcharoo bullshit. She’ll kill me. And know I called you. Nope, not happening.”

I take a few steps toward him, ensuring he hears me this time. “Yes, it is. That’s my girl, our dog, and I’ll be the one taking care of them both.”

“Sutton, dude, listen to me. I may not be right often, but I am on this one. The macho, bulldoze your way in shit won’t work on P. Trust me. You’ll only piss her off even more and push her further away. I’m tellin’ ya, man, don’t do it.”

I cross my arms over my chest and stare him dead in the eyes. “And I’m telling you, I’m gonna buy the stuff Castello actually needs; food, a collar, leash, bed, and puppy pads, and take it to Presley’s myself. Should’ve gotten it all before I dropped him off, but I’ll be damned if hindsight’s not working in my favor for once. You wanna follow me, race me there, or try and stand in my way, by all means, do what ya think ya gotta do… but it won’t change a damn thing about what I’m doing.”

“Whatever, man, your funeral. I’ve tried all I can to help you both, not just tonight, but with all your horseshit. But I’m not trying to have anything to do with the explosion you’re about to detonate. Fuck that. I’m going home, to my woman, whodoeswant me there. Cops get called to your little shindig, she stabs ya, I don’t give a shit what happens, do not. Call. Me. My phone will be off.”

“See, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” I grin, clapping him on the shoulder. “For real though, before you take off, fill me in on the ‘not quite herself’ real quick.”

“Nah, you’ve got it all figured out, remember? The man with the plan, not taking my advice. Have at ‘er. Later.” He laughs, throwing a hand in the air as he walks out.

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