Page 3 of Infected By Virus

A few taps of the keyboard and bingo-bango, problem solved. He handed the laptop over to Heidi.

“Who?”

“Well, that’s my cue to skedaddle,” Nova said. “I gotta grab June from school for an appointment.” She left, and Heidi stood to follow.

“Who?” he called after her.

“For the past two months, that would be Santa. All the ladies want to sit on his lap.” She giggled. “Thanks Vi.”

He hated the nickname, but he adored his president’s ol’ lady, so he let it slide.

“You’re welcome, Hi.”

The back-and-forth between them reminded him of someone else he had an easy-going relationship with once upon a time, and his mind started slipping back to the past.

Devin, who had yet to rise, must’ve noticed his contemplativeness because she got up and sat on the coffee table directly in front of him. So close it would’ve been intimate if they had anything other than platonic affection for each other. She really needed to learn the concept of personal space.

“A penny for your thoughts?”

“Sweetheart, they aren’t worth a fucking penny.”

“They have to be worth a hell of a lot more to have you looking like that.” She gestured to his face.

“Like what?”

“Like someone just stole your puppy, your shiny balloon just floated into the sky, and you dropped the top scoop of your cone all at the same time.”

He may or may not have felt a bit defensive about her assessment of his look.

“I don’t want a dog, I hate fucking balloons, and I’m lactose intolerant.” Virus crossed his arms like he’d just won the war, and leaned back into the couch cushion, but Devin was relentless.

“First off, everyone wants a dog, so whatever.” She adopted his victorious look somewhat. “Then it has to be a woman, so spill.”

Virus avoided talking about her. Partly because she was and will always be the love of his life, but mostly because he was the one who’d fucked it all to hell and back.

“Just someone I knew a long time ago that crosses my mind more often than not. But especially on this date,” Virus trailed off, not really wanting to admit any more. He hated that he’d said as much as he had. Pouring himself another whiskey, he downed it with gusto.

“What’s today?” Devin’s voice was gentle and concerned. He answered the best he could without sharing his shame.

“The day the old me died, but at her expense.” Yeah, it was cryptic as hell, but there wasn’t any other way he could be.

His new family, his Bastards family, only know the current version of him. He had their respect. If they knew what he’d done, especially the ol’ ladies, he’d lose that and so much more. Devin damn sure wouldn’t sit there all concerned for him. More likely, she’d kick him in the balls every time they crossed paths.

“Any hope of a reconciliation?” she asked as she stood.

“No.” Another drink down.

“Is she still alive?”

Virus looked up at her and it dawned on him that she thought he’d killed her.

“No. Nothing like that, jeez.” His voice held a bit of horror mixed with some what the hell. “More like I’m dead to her.”

Devin bent down, bringing them eye to eye. Her face held no judgment, only love.

“As long as you’re both still breathing, there’s always hope.” With that, she kissed him on the forehead, more like a mom than a sister figure, and left.

Devin was Croon’s sister by blood, but since she’d arrived, she’d become like a sister to all of them. Well, he suspected one brother had zero sisterly thoughts toward her, but that was his business.

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