Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 80014 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80014 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Reno came into the room during that last bit and took a seat at the other end of the big sectional. I snapped a photo of him, and when I sent it to Wyatt my friend replied with a string of fire emojis.
As I returned the phone to my pocket, Reno said, “So, you really do have a deaf best friend.”
“Like I’d lie about that. Also, when did I tell you about Wyatt?”
“You explained why you knew sign language and demonstrated a little of it the night we met. You were saying something about being able to keep talking while giving me a blow job.”
He grinned at me, and I said, “Oh. Now I remember.”
“Was your friend born deaf?”
“No. He lost his hearing when he was eight years old.”
“That must have been tough.”
“I’m sure it was.”
“So, you’ve been friends a long time?”
“Since we were fourteen.” I tilted my head and asked, “Why all the interest?”
Reno shrugged and told me, “You don’t seem to have ties to very many people, so I’m curious about the few who made the cut.”
I didn’t really know what to say to that, not that he was wrong. I changed the subject with, “What are we doing now?”
He turned his gaze to his hands, which were splayed out on his knees. “That’s up to you. Here are your two choices. Option A is to continue allowing me to drag you all over Vegas and potentially put you in harm’s way while I deal with Greco. Option B is where I drive you to the airport and buy you a first class ticket back to San Francisco.”
That felt like a kick in the gut, and I muttered, “A.”
He glanced at me and asked, “You’re actually choosing to stay with me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Why not?”
“How about the fact that it could become dangerous?”
“I’ll take my chances.” Reno stared at me for a long moment. To break the silence, I asked, “Why would you even suggest sending me back home? Aren’t you worried I’ll disappear forever with your Rolex?”
“I’m more worried about you getting hurt if Greco tracks me down.”
“But that’s like saying I matter more to you than your most prized possession.”
“You do.”
“And yet, you were willing to shoot me when you caught me stealing it.”
He sighed and told me, “That gun was empty, Jack. I’d never point a loaded weapon at you. I was just trying to scare you, so you wouldn’t run off. It obviously had the opposite effect, which goes to show I have no idea what I’m doing when it comes to you.”
I got up and told him, “No, you really don’t. Now, are we still visiting with your family, or are we moving on to our next destination?”
“Moving on. I want to see how the bar’s new window looks, and I also want to be there when the furniture and liquor are delivered. Mom wanted to handle it, but I managed to convince her to take a nap and open later than usual this afternoon. It’s a small victory, but I’ll take it.”
We went back to the kitchen, where his mom and brother were deep in conversation. They stopped talking and smiled at us, and as Reno packed his tablet back in his carrying case, he asked, “We’re going to take off in a minute, but do either of you need anything before we go?” He was definitely the caretaker for his family, no doubt about it.
Romy told him they were all set, and Reno turned to his mother and said, “I think you should pack a bag and stay here for a few days, Mom. I don’t like the fact that the bar’s on Greco’s radar now, and with your apartment directly above it—”
“I’ll be fine,” she said. “You even have a couple of people watching it, which is probably overkill. What could happen?”
He muttered, “I really don’t want to find out. At least think about it, and I’ll see you tonight.”
I told Reno’s family it was nice to meet them, and we started to head for the door. But Mandy called, “Jack, could you please hang back for a second?” When Reno turned to her with a raised brow, she said, “Never you mind what I have to say to your boyfriend. Go on outside, he’ll be there in a minute.”
He shot concerned looks at both his mom and me before muttering, “Alright,” and leaving the apartment.
Romy waited until we heard the front door close before saying, “We want to give you our phone numbers, Jack, so you can keep us updated on this situation. We also want to ask you to please take care of Reno for us. We know he’s downplaying his conflict with that thug, and we’re worried sick about him.
“We didn’t want to say that in front of him, because he’d feel terrible about worrying us. But you’re with him all the time, so you’ll know if he gets into trouble and needs help. That might mean calling the police on Greco if there’s a confrontation, which is something Reno would never do. As an EMT, I work with the police all the time, so I’ve never understood why my brother thinks of them as the enemy.”