Page 31 of Our Sweet Revenge

“You told me the name of the street the other day. I just drove by and followed the stench of sweat.”

“Ha ha, my sweat smells like roses. You have time to eat with me?”

“Yeah, this is a serious date.”

“Flattered. Let’s sit over there.”

He led me to a bench at the side of the garden. Due to the winter, the grass and flowers seemed dead, but it was still a nice garden. I opened the bag and pulled out Anthony’s pork taco and a can of Coke.

“Sweet,” he said and cracked open his can before taking a mouthful.

I pulled out my chicken taco and a bottle of water. The tacos weren’t warm by this point, but I had bought them from a small Mexican place Anthony and I both loved, and even cold they were delicious.

“You’re about done with this gig?” I asked.

Anthony finished chewing and nodded. “Just about. It took longer than expected, but it will turn out great. This gazebo wasn’t in the original agreement, but they liked what we did in the house and asked to add it.”

I looked at the tools lying around and the big wooden beams. “You need a hand with these things?” I mostly asked because I struggled to bring up the real reason for my visit.

Anthony shook his head. “Better not. You’re too fragile.”

“Fuck you. I carry boxes all day.”

He gave me a crooked smile. “Are they heavy?”

“Well, sometimes.”

His smile remained, emphasizing the dimple in the middle of his cheek. “Let’s leave the labor work to me. You’re the brain between us. Well, unless we exclude your Halo performance.”

“Oh, shots fired. I heard they just released new maps. More opportunities for me to kick your ass.”

He nodded. “Challenge accepted.”

I glanced at his face while he ate, surprised to see how at ease he looked. I suspected I’d find him at least a bit edgy after revealing his and Chris’s dark secret not too long ago.

“You’re in a good mood,” I said casually.

“Why shouldn’t I be?”

“No reason. I just thought… never mind.”

He gave a final bite to his taco and wiped his palms on his poor jeans. “I wasn’t in a good mood after the night at the bar. I didn’t sleep a minute.”

“What changed?”

He thought for a few seconds, then shrugged. “Don’t really know how to explain it. I guess I’m feeling lighter. I’m not happy you and Jay know what happened, but it feels good not having that secret anymore. Every time you mentioned Chris to me, I wanted to say something, but I needed to play it cool and pretend we just drifted apart. Now you know.”

“I’m glad you’re feeling better, but I got the impression there’s a lot more you haven’t shared.”

He shifted on the bench. “I’m not getting into that. I was less pathetic in the part I shared with you and Jay, and I’d rather keep it that way.”

“Okay. No pressure. I’m here if you want to talk.”

“I know you are, but something tells me this surprise visit isn’t just about feeding me.”

Now it was my turn to squirm.

Anthony said, “It’s about Jay’s plan, right? You’ve spoken with Chris?”

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