Page 61 of Diamond in the Rough

Something glinted in Billy’s hand. He twirled it on his finger, then clutched it. Jake zeroed in on the keys, then frowned and turned back to the car park. The car responsible for the interruption was right there, a red Porsche parked across two bays. Billy’s car.

Jake shrugged off Sam’s jacket and handed it over. He ignored Sam’s protests and approached Billy and the woman.

Jake pressed his hand over his heart. “I’m sorry about earlier, very emotional day.”

Billy smiled. “Yes, all sorts of emotions today.”

“What was your name again? Benny?”

“Billy.”

Jake turned to the woman.

“And Antonia,” she added.

“We’re going to be moving along to the crematorium shortly,” Jake said.

“I hope they’re giving you a discount.” Billy smirked.

Jake pretended not to hear and turned to Antonia. “Will you be joining us?”

Antonia hummed, then shook her head. “I think this was enough of a goodbye.”

Billy wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to him. “Yes, it was.”

“Well, thanks for coming.”

Jake held out his hand to Billy, and he frowned before grasping on. Jake gripped Billy’s elbow with his other hand and pulsed his fingers. The steal was effortless. Billy hadn’t even realized he’d shook with his keys in his hand, and Jake took them without a sound.

Jake backed away, grinning. Billy matched his expression, then narrowed his eyes, trying to suss Jake out. He waited until there were five meters between them before holding up his hand. The ring of the Porsche’s key was on his middle finger. He waved at Billy and Antonia.

“Really nice to meet ya, Benny and Annie.”

Then he took off. He heard Sam shout in despair, Rachel cheer him on, and Antonia call out after Billy. Jake looked over his shoulder to see Billy in pursuit. Billy with his hair no longer tied back but whipping in the wind. His face was red, and his eyes were wide and angry. He wasn’t laughing anymore.

Jake smiled and did what he was good at. He ran just slow enough to give Billy a chance of catching him. Five meters between them. Jake could hear him, not just the thump of Billy’s shoes but the swish of his jacket and his panting breath. The path ended, and Jake was forced to run on the road. There were tall hedges on either side with huge thorns desperate to snag on someone. Billy kept on going, but when Jake glanced back the second time, he could see the fight was leaving him. Anger only acted as fuel for so long, and Billy was fast running out. Jake relished in the sensation of his heart trying to beat free of his chest. Excitement flowed through his body, lighting him up like a Christmas tree. He felt like himself again, not the empty shell of the past few weeks. He’d missed the euphoric feeling of overcoming danger and being triumphant.

When the distance grew between them, Jake slowed to a stop and turned around.

Billy stooped forward, hands on his knees, panting at the pavement. His long hair dangled forward. “You’re crazy.”

“Not the first time I’ve heard that.”

“Give me back my keys.”

Jake admired them in his hand. “It’s a nice car.”

“It is,” Billy growled, lifting his head. Strands of hair had stuck to his lip, and he snarled and brushed them away.

Jake grinned. “Expensive?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

Jake launched the keys over the prickly hedge and laughed when Billy gawped.

Billy staggered back in shock and blinked in quick succession. “What the hell did you just do?”

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