Page 22 of The Loathing

“Yeah, sure. You stood more of a chance with her than Titus did,” and Keaton’s face lights up as he slowly turns his face to look at me to flip me off when my eyes slice past Keaton’s to eye Kaleb who is shaking his head and mouthing “It was all you,” to me which causes me to chuckle.

* * *

“Well, I guess this is goodbye then,” I say with a deep, heavy sigh as my eyes move between my group of friends.

Kaleb shakes his head from side to side. “No man, it isn’t a goodbye, it’s a see you soon then,” he gives a soft nod before stepping forward and pulling me in for a hug and it feels foreign for Kaleb. It’s normally me pulling him in for a hug, not the other way round.

One by one the guys say bye, Killian gives me a firm handshake, Keaton gives me a firm pat on the back which causes me to cough, and Nate offers to walk with me. I lift the sleeve of my shirt and see it’s two p.m.

“Keep me posted on anything new here; Kaleb, look after Connie. I know Killian will be keeping an eye on you anyway.” I smirk, “Keaton, I’ll see you a bit later when I drop Arizona and Jeff off.”

“Jeff,” Keaton’s eyes widen when I feel Nate’s hand swat me. “Who the fuck is Jeff?”

“My cat,” Nate mutters as he pushes his glasses up his nose and I swear I see him stand a little taller. “But I don’t need you to have him anymore,” he says breezy when I feel his eyes on mine. “I’ve decided to stay, I’ve got some bits to sort out here… is that okay? Are you going to be okay?”

I laugh, “It’s fine, I’m a big boy… I’m sure I can survive the big, bad, old wolf.”

“Do you want me to have Arizona at mine?”

“No, she can stay with me. It’s already sorted.” Keaton snaps, his tone cold before he turns away from me. “I’ll see you a bit later, enjoy your…” he coughs, letting his eyes fall, “evening.” And with that he sulks off into the busy sidewalk.

“Think I’ve pissed him off?”

“A little bit,” Kaleb laughs then swoops in for another hug.

“I think you’re going to miss me.” I smile as I hold onto him a little longer, and the truth was I was going to miss Kaleb the most. Yeah, we weren’t blood related, but he was the brother I never had. It was only me until I found him, then he introduced me to the other two. But Kaleb was my best friend. I was his voice of reason; he was my conscious. I calmed him down in ways no one else could and I just hoped that he wouldn’t need me while I was gone.

Ignoring the small ripple of anxiety that waved through me, I pulled away, giving him a soft slap on the cheek.

“I’ll see you soon then.”

“See you soon then,” Kaleb smiles and Killian holds his hand up, giving me a small wave before they both turn and follow a sulking Keaton.

I inhale deeply, spinning on my heel as I face Nate. “I want to get my hair cut; you want to walk with me? Or were you lying about wanting to walk with me?”

“Nah, I’ll come with. Keaton was getting under my skin, and I didn’t want to snap,” he admits, running his hand round the back of his messy dirty blonde hair.

“Is something going on?” I ask as we begin to walk side by side.

“Not particularly, just someone from my past has popped up and I am trying to work out why I am feeling the way I am.”

He doesn’t look at me, just keeps his eyes forward.

“An ex?” I ask and I try and think back if I ever remember Nate having a long-term girlfriend. There have been flings and a couple of one-night stands, but never anyone serious.

“Something like that,” he mumbles, and I know that is his way of letting me know that this conversation is over. “What time is your flight?” He asks as we beat the pavement.

“Early tomorrow morning, but I am leaving for the hotel later on tonight.”

“I see,” he hums. “Are you going to pick that girl up?” he stops, turning to face me.

“I don’t think so, why? Do you think I should?”

He shrugs his shoulders up softly, “I just wondered, wasn’t sure if you did it just to annoy Keaton.”

I chuckle before I pick up my feet and begin walking again, Nate by my side.

“I did do it to piss Keaton off…” I sigh, “but then again I don’t know… maybe I need to have some fun before I leave.”

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