Page 108 of Still Bruised
Jude wasn’t sure he’d survive Foster, either.
20
Foster exited the train, his body weary. The new job was taking it out of him. After a couple of months of unemployment, he was thrust back into the hot seat. He’d soon realized he’d not kept up with the markets as well as he’d thought. He’d been vaulted back to his post-college days—walking in the door full of confidence only to have the real world show him he knew nothing at all. It was a shitty feeling, but each day was a little easier than the last, so hopefully he’d get his act together soon.
Not having someone to come home to after was making it even harder to get his act together. He’d looked forward to his nights with Jude, eating together and talking about their day. Venting. He’d also looked forward to the things that came after. That was the best kind of stress relief.
It had only been a few days, but it felt like weeks.
He already missed Jude.
A car pulled beside him on the street and revved the engine, breaking him from his thoughts. He glanced up and saw Carysmiling at him, the passenger window rolled down. “Hey, stranger.”
Foster leaned on the passenger door. “Youarealive.”
“Sorry—my phone was chucked, and I had to grab a burner on the run. I didn’t get your messages until I flew home and got a new phone.”
“Another wild adventure?”
“Something like that. Ready for that drink?”
“Fuck, yeah,” Foster muttered.
“Get in,” Cary said. “I sure as hell could use one. It’s been a shitty couple of weeks for me, too.”
They were soon careening the ten blocks to McMurphy’s.
“Is that new job of yours the source of that shitty day you mentioned?”
“Part of it,” Foster replied, cracking the window for some air.
Silence fell for a moment before Cary chuckled. “That’s all I’m getting? I assumed you wanted to vent.”
“I think I need a shot or two before I do that.”
Cary whistled.“Thatbad, hmm?”
Foster ignored the comment, not ready to get into it. “Your phone was chucked?”
“Long story,” Cary muttered. “I’ll tell you about it after that shot.”
A few minutes later, they were both sitting in their usual booth with cold ones in their hands, one shot down. The crowd was a heavier given that it was Friday, but fortunately, most of the people were closer to the bar. They didn’t have to yell at one another to be heard.
“So what’s with the long face?”
Foster trailed his fingers through the condensation on the beer bottle, not sure he wanted to dive into it. But who else could he talk to about it? Not Jude.
“I finally went to apologize to Jude.”
“And?”
“I was wrong.” Foster absently played with the bent corner of the label on his bottle. “Hewasthe one who decked me at the party.”
Cary’s eyes widened.“Oh shit.”
Foster met Cary’s gaze.
“Is he also the one you fucked?”
