Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 71212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Now we were riding scooters down a crowded Beltline, a row of brightly painted boutique shops on our right. A pet store, a CBD store, a small cafe, all with big and bold art painted across their facades. My friends were with us—Eric, Colton, Noah, and Jake. Yvette and her new boyfriend joined us, while the others were going to meet us for lunch.
These last twenty-four hours were exactly what I needed. There was still quite a bit left to unpack after last night, but already I could tell my soul was no longer running on empty. Even after the disappointing trip to the police department. Even after the targeted message I had received on my own damn television screen. I looked up at the sunny sky as the wind brushed past me, Gabriel at my side, looking a little comical with his large frame slightly hunched on the bright green electric scooter.
“Having fun?” I asked, flashes of last night (and this morning) going through my head.
Heat. Sweat. Come. Hard muscles. Lips on lips, cock on cock.
“I am,” he answered with a smile I wanted to lick right off. “You?”
“Me too.” I pushed down on the accelerator handle and boosted forward, the scooter automatically sticking to the speed limit set on the pedestrian pathway. We were headed to Ponce City Market, an industrial red-bricked building that had been converted into a multitude of mouthwatering food spots and local stores, with residential lofts and apartments sitting just underneath a rooftop hangout spot equipped with everything from a bar to a mini-golf course.
“Hey, man,” Colton said, matching my speed as we zipped past a bustling brewery, the sounds of a live band leaking over the black wooden fence. “How are you doing after yesterday?”
“I’m doing alright. Grateful I don’t have to stay at my house, though. I can’t believe that monster was in there.”
Colton shook his head, his face bleaching with the same fear I felt gnaw at my ribs. “It’s so fucked-up. But you’ve got us, and you’ve got Gabriel. It’s going to be okay. In fact, Eric and I are going to lock ourselves inside the house and spend all weekend researching serial killers. I feel like all I know about them is shit from the movies, but maybe if we’re able to get inside this person’s head, then we can figure out their next move and catch them.”
“You guys really don’t have to do that.” My heart swelled with warmth for my friends. This group had been through a ton of shit together; I didn’t want to put them through any more. “Seriously, I don’t want anyone else getting involved. Having you all at my house when that video came on was bad enough.”
“Tristan, you helped me figure out who was behind my mom’s death. I owe you.” Colton’s light brown hair caught the sun and spun it like golden threads shining through. He had a kind face, one that looked even kinder now that he was extending such a gracious gift: his help.
“Thanks, Colt.” It was all I could say before I started to feel choked up. Eric was a lucky guy to reunite with Colton. Their lives could have easily splintered off into a thousand different directions, never crossing again. But here they were, fresh off a honeymoon trip to Disney World, eyes full of love for each other.
It made me happy for my best friend and also wishful for myself. I tried to imagine the same happy ending for me, but all I could see ahead was a fog of heavy gray blotting out the horizon of my life. I had no idea if I was even going to be around in a few months, as morbid a thought as that was, but unfortunately, it was a reality I had to face when I had a bright red bullseye painted across my chest.
Thankfully, I didn’t have much time to simmer on that thought. We crossed over a concrete bridge and pulled up to a row of parked scooters right outside the entrance to the market. Jess, Tia, and Steven were already waiting for us at the steps, Steven sucking on a bright yellow Popsicle.
“The gang’s all here,” Jess said as hugs were exchanged. She matched with Tia, wearing a blue T-shirt with black shorts. “We didn’t plan this,” she was quick to point out.
“Happens to us all the time,” Noah said with a wave of his hand. Today was one of those times: both Noah and Jake wore green shirts, although Noah wore khaki shorts, and Jake wore black. “Guys ready to go eat?”
“Let’s go,” Eddy said, rubbing his stomach before putting a hand across Yvette’s shoulders. He seemed to be warming up to us. I was surprised he hadn’t been scared off after yesterday’s debacle.
We walked through a covered area full of tables and chairs; someone playing the piano at the very end of the walkway added a lively soundtrack. “What’s everyone in the mood for?” I asked the group.