Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 71911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
“I’ll get one too.”
The waitress returned, and we ordered our drinks.
“What are the specials?” Axel asked.
The waitress listed the three, one with fish, a short rib ravioli, and then a vegetarian couscous dish.
“Hmm.” Axel looked at the menu. “Fuck, what am I gonna do?”
“It’s a big decision,” I said sarcastically. “Take your time.”
“What are you getting, asshole?”
“Probably the chicken. I like the sauce she makes.”
Axel continued to look at the menu. “This is hard.”
The waitress returned with our drinks, and when she removed the glass covering, the smoke rose.
“That’s sick.” Axel brought the glass to his lips and took a drink.
Ever since Axel had settled down and left the game, he’d become more childlike, caring about things that he would have found insignificant beforehand. We had less in common now, but our bond was still tight like a taut rubber band.
“How are your parents?” I asked.
He shrugged. “Things are good, but it’ll always be a little…strained. You know? They feel guilty, but there are times when I get pissed off about the whole thing. And then I need space. I don’t think it’ll ever be what it used to be. It’s been too long, and too much shit has happened. But I’m happy that we’ve buried the hatchet, so I don’t have to feel guilty when they’re gone.”
“Yeah.”
“I’m not the type to hold a grudge, but this one is hard to let go.”
“That’s fair.”
He looked at the menu again. “Fuck, I gotta figure this out.”
“Why don’t you take something to go?”
He looked up at me and gave me a slow nod. “You’re a smart man, Theo. Very smart.”
“I know.”
He chuckled slightly and looked at the menu again.
“Why is she working tonight anyway? She’s the owner. Shouldn’t someone else be slaving away back there?”
“She likes to come down a couple nights a month. It’s the best way to see how the restaurant’s doing. She likes cooking and being a part of the team. And I think the biggest reason is she gets tired of being a full-time mom. I think she likes to have some space and do her own thing.”
I nodded in agreement.
“I love my babies more than life itself, but they really changed everything. Though, the idea of them needing me less as they get older fills me with a sadness that hurts more than a bullet in the arm.”
Once upon a time, I wanted a family. The quiet life that he had. But now, I couldn’t imagine it ever. I was exactly where I belonged. This was the path I was destined to take. What happened in the past…was just a lapse in judgment.
When the waitress came back, Axel ordered two things, one to take home.
“I’ll take the chicken.” I handed over the menu.
Now that the stressful part of the evening had passed, Axel sipped his drink and relaxed. “How are things with Astrid?”
“It’s not a relationship, Axel.”
“Did I say it was?”
“It’s implied.”
“Fine,” he said. “How’s your little affair going?”
“It’s not an affair if her husband knows about it.”
He cocked his head. “But does he know about it?”
I had no idea what she told him. It was none of my business.
“I think if he knew, you would know,” he said. “You aren’t the least bit curious who he is?”
“No.” I had no respect for him for hurting his wife the way he did. She was one hell of a catch, and he was an idiot to squander her. She deserved better, and it was a shame she didn’t believe that herself.
“You guys never talk about him?”
“She said she doesn’t want to talk about him. And when I’m fucking a woman, I don’t like to think about other men—or other men she may be fucking.”
“If you didn’t care about her, you wouldn’t care if she’s fucking someone else.”
“I never said I cared that she is,” I snapped. “I just don’t want to think about it while it’s happening.” I grabbed my glass and took a drink, finding the smoke taste tame compared to the heaviness of a cigar.
“How long do you think this is going to go on?”
I shrugged.
“You aren’t really a one-woman kind of guy, so this is interesting.”
“Who said I’m a one-woman kind of guy now?”
“So you’re sleeping with other people?” he asked incredulously.
No. “Yes.” I looked him right in the eye and lied to his face, something I’d never done before. “Her husband is only gone a couple days a week, so the rest of that time, we don’t speak.”
He gave a slight nod in understanding. “You want my advice?”
“Not even a little bit, Axel.”
He acted like I hadn’t spoken and continued. “At some point, this guy is gonna figure out who’s fucking his wife. I don’t care if he asked for an open marriage. When he realizes his woman is fucking none other than the infamous Skull King, it’s gonna dent his ego quite a bit. It’s gonna open a can of gunfire and grenades. You’ve got enough on your plate, Theo. You don’t need this added to the top. So, if this woman really means nothing to you, then ditch her before it’s too late.”