Page 15 of California Wild

Jesse knew them. Eddie—forty, maybe, used to work construction before his body gave out. Marcos—skin and bonesnow, but still quick with a joke. Jade—early twenties, eyes like she hadn’t slept in years.

They weren’t just junkies in an alley. They were people.

And Jesse knew their names.

“Water, too.” He set down the six-pack.

Eddie’s hands trembled as he grabbed a bottle. “Didn’t think you were coming tonight.”

Jesse shrugged. “Mondays are busy.”

Jade wiped her mouth, gaze flicking over him. “You a cop?”

Jesse let out a low chuckle. “Do I look like a cop?”

She snorted. “Not really.”

Marcos pulled open the pizza box, eyes lighting up. “Damn, man. You always bring the good shit.”

Jesse stood, brushing off his jeans. “Only the best.”

Eddie looked up at him, expression raw. “You’re a good guy, Jesse.”

Jesse didn’t answer that.

Didn’t believe it.

Instead, he nodded toward the food. “You eat. I gotta run.”

Marcos threw him a lazy salute. “Appreciate you, brother.”

Jesse turned and walked back toward the truck.

There were still nineteen pizzas left to go.

As midnight closed in, Jesse knew very well that he should’ve been home by now. Should’ve dropped off the last box, pulled his truck onto the Coronado bridge, and left the city behind for the night. He had to report to work in less than eight hours.

But this stop wasn’t just routine.

It was a promise.

He drove slow, engine low as he cut through the empty streets near North Park and City Heights, skirting just wide enough to avoid The Dance Cave.

That place was a trap door back to a version of himself he didn’t want to remember.

Too many nights lost inside. Too many fights, too many drinks, too many bad choices.

So he took the long way around.

Kept his eyes forward.

Didn’t look at the glowing neon sign still flickering over the doorway.

Didn’t think about the ghosts waiting in the dark.

Jesse pulled up to a decayed old brick house, the kind of place that should’ve been condemned years ago. Graffiti covered the warped wooden siding. The roof sagged. Windows wereshattered or boarded up, depending on how long ago someone had squatted inside.

No one should be living here.

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