Page 95 of Diamond in the Rough

“That kid runs rings around people like it’s a sport. He’ll be all right. We’ll get there in time.”

Tom held out his hand, and Maddox grasped on. He allowed himself to be lifted to his feet and swayed as he got his balance. He ignored the worried look Amber and Tom flashed at each other and nodded.

“We will. We have to.”

****

It wasn’t a luxury jet, and the vibrations running down the fuselage didn’t fill Maddox with confidence. The plane dipped, and they shared an uncomfortable look. They were hours behind, with a pilot that could only see out of one eye, in a plane that sounded like it was falling apart around them.

“If we’re gonna die, we might as well have a drink first,” Tom said.

Maddox accepted the whiskey glass thrust towards him, and Tom poured in a generous amount. He waited for Amber and Tom before holding up his glass.

“A toast…to Carl.”

Tom looked down, and Amber visibly shrunk. They clinked their glasses together, then downed the whiskey.

Maddox grimaced. “What the hell is that?”

“My favourite,” Tom said, cradling the bottle.

“Wallpaper stripper,” Amber murmured.

Tom wrinkled his nose. “You have no taste whatsoever. Carl would’ve liked it.”

“He would’ve mixed it with something else and improved the taste.”

“Improved? Some of his food and drink combos were downright odd.”

“What’s not to like about shrimps and jam?”

Maddox snorted. “That’s tame compared to some of the other things.”

“He had a skill with sandwiches,” Amber said. “I’ll give him that.”

Tom smirked. “Like works of art.”

Amber shifted, then pulled her phone from her pocket. “It’s Sam.”

“Good old fireman Sam,” Tom muttered.

“Old? He’s younger than you.”

Amber pressed her thumb down on the phone. “I’ve blocked him.”

“Blocked him?” Maddox murmured.

“We’re not coming back, are we…”

Maddox looked out the window. “However this turns out, I won’t be going back, but there’s no reason why you can’t if you want to.”

Amber shook her head. “It wasn’t real. He was a nice guy, but I was never the real Amber in front of him. I couldn’t keep up the sweet, clueless woman for much longer.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It was fun, and he had his uses.”

Tom shuddered. “We don’t wanna hear about your sex life.”

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