Page 15 of Safest With You
“Then why do you sound like that? You’re usually elated.”
“I had to do it in front of Brandy, man.” I sighed.
I’d spoken with my brother about Brandy the very day I met her and even talked to him about our day before I killed Ernesto and Paulo. I never spoke about any woman.
“Oh shit.”
“Yeah man.”
“How’d she react?”
“I mean I was coming to her defense, but she was creeped out for sure. I don’t want to scare the woman, just protect her.”
“Okay and did you tell her that?”
“I didn’t have to. She said it for me.”
“So why you sound like that? Like she dumped you and your nuts in the fucking ocean?”
I laughed and shook my head. My bro was a fool.
“I don’t want every time I’m around her to be like that. Apart from our day of luxury, every time I’ve seen her, I was taking care of one of the bastards who stole from us. I don’t want her thinking I’m this unhinged ass man who can’t keep his temper together.”
“But you are, so what the fuck are you saying?”
“Shut your ass up.” I laughed. “I’ve been trying to change all that. Whole reason for my so-called vacation.”
“How is it out there? You vacationing?”
“What you think?”
“Aight aight. I’ll stop fucking with you.” That chuckle of his let me know he was just getting started so I quickly changed the subject.
“Are you back home?” I asked, avoiding his words.
“Yeah, just got back this morning. Feels good.”
“I’m coming to visit you.”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“Says the man who…”
“I know. I know. But I’m coming. Our affairs are handled and this vacation has turned out to not be one at all, just more work. I need to be around my family and that’s you.”
“Shit, I’m with it. I was going to kick back for a few days anyway until I headed back to Antigua.”
“Sounds good then. I’ll book a flight and see you soon.”
“Are you becoming domesticated on me, brother?”
“Fuck you, Arlando.”
I laughed then disconnected the call. I sat there for a second and contemplated his words. Shaking my head, I tossed them away and pulled up my sister’s number. It only took two rings for her to pick up, which was unusual for her since she never answered my calls.
“Ciao, fratello,” she said.
