Page 3 of Big Trouble
Andre: Jack’s back! When are we catching up, buddy?
Despite everything, I grinned. Being back in Cali Cross would give me a chance to spend time with Andre, hear all about what was going on with him, find out who he was dating now. Try to pretend everything was normal. Instead of messaging him back, I called him.
“Dre! I just got into town,” I said, “let me get settled back in and we’ll go for beers.”
Andre laughed. “Sure. Make it soon though, yeah? There’s a lot to catch up on.”
“How about tomorrow? I’ve got my first therapy session in the afternoon, so I’ll probably need something to help ease the pain.”
“Don’t you have painkillers for that?”
“Of course, they gave me some good shit.” I wished they had. The stabbing pain in my ankle had started again and so far, the latest dose hadn’t kicked in. Andre didn’t have to know the truth right now. The only thing that had killed the pain completely was morphine. Unfortunately, it didn’t come on prescription for my injury. I’d have to suffer with the anti-inflammatories in the meantime.
“You’d better be careful if you’re mixing them with beer then.”
“Maybe we should meet for coffee instead?”
“You’ve got to be kidding, Jack. It’s the first time I’ve seen you in God knows how long. We’re not meeting for coffee. I’ll get you alcohol-free beer instead.”
I screwed up my face. “Ugh. I’ll take a risk on the beer as long as you can pick me up. How about I text you when I’m done with the PT session?”
“Sounds good, buddy.” Andre paused and I sensed a change in his tone. “Be good to see you again, Jack. We’ve missed you.”
“Me too, Dre, me too. See you tomorrow.”
A wave of emotion swept over me as I hung up. My throat constricted as I thought about what good friends we were. And how that could be wiped out so easily—me on a bike, Wes by the side of the road.
