Page 98 of Savage Daddies

I turn in the mirror to examine the costume—of lack of thereof. Aside from a white-and-red bandana tied loosely around my neck, I’m topless. A brown cowboy hat sits on my head, very conveniently shading me from the sun, and on my bottom half are dark denim pants with knee rips—because apparently that’s more authentic. My favorite part about the whole getup are the steel-toe boots that clack against the floor every time I take a step.

And we’re covered.

Thanks to the giant hats, nobody suspects a thing. They see three cowboys strutting down the street in a line and assume—male strippers.

All four doors at Cash Pot Palace swing open and guests come and go. People crowd every machine and huddle in every corner. Posters of Paul’s charming face stick to the walls. There are so many images, some from when he was younger, and some more recent. He was quite the looker back in the day before the eye bags and crow’s-feet emerged.

It’s also nice to see that he carried the same smile with him throughout his life.

I survey the surroundings. Guests clink glasses and make toasts, celebrating his life.

It was taken too soon.

And therefore has Felix Fernando written all over it.

When we spoke to him just the other day, nothing felt off about Paul. His suicide makes no sense.

A loud THUD! breaks the area around us into gasps.

“Oh my god!”

“What’s going on?”

“Literally so uncalled for.”

I snap around and see Wrangler shoving a dealer up against the wall, an arm across his neck. The young boy chokes, and red eyeballs start to pop out of the sockets as he chases his next breath of air.

“What the fuck?” I tear Wrangler away.

The kid sucks in a raspy breath, clutching his throat.

“What are you playing at?” I ask my friend.

“I need answers,” says Wrangler.

“And I was about to fucking have some until you came in and tried choking somebody that has nothing to do with…Aaron?” It’s one of my former students.

He forces a smile. Out of all the students I taught,Aaronis the one I bump into. This kid did zero work and spent his time in class discussing GTA with his buddies, never on task. Parent evenings were always negative.

“Long time no see, Mr. Reeves. Nice to see you cracking on with Zoe, pervert.”

“Do youwantyour back to meet that wall again?” Wrangler folds his arms over his chest. “I don’t care who you are.”

“What’s with the cowboy outfits?” laughs Aaron.

“Enough.”

“Is it true what they’re saying?” Aaron looks between us three. “Is Zoe really sleeping with you guys? I slept with her back in school, you know.” This brings a sly grin to his face. “She was good, although she wouldn’t go on top for me. I think she was shy.” He changes to a whisper. “It was her first time.”

My hand tightens around the bastard’s neck.

BANG!

Back against the wall.

Aaron laughs again. “So itistrue.”

“Did you get any answers?” I ask Wrangler.

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