Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 53529 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53529 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
“Well, you did tell her to pound sand. But that was after she kicked you to the curb—”
“I don’t need a replay.”
Luna pats my hand with her greasy digits. “You still have me.”
“Thanks.” I do appreciate what a good friend she’s becoming.
“So what’s the plan?” she asks.
“I don’t have one.” Later, when I’ve had some time to process, I’ll tell Luna everything that went down with Kyle. But for the moment, “You need to go home and act like nothing’s happened. No one can know you’re like me.”
“What about my body?”
“Just wear baggy clothes for a while and tell your friends you hired a personal trainer. Make the change look gradual.”
“What about your brother? Think he’ll be suspicious?”
“I don’t think he’ll be bothering you for a while. I’ll tell you about it some other time.”
“Huff, you can tell me now. I’ll listen.” She sets down her burger. “I meant what I said before. I’ve got your back.”
“I know. Thank you. I just need some time to figure a few things out.” Mostly how I lost River so quickly. After all these years, she was so ready to turn her back on me. Part of me can’t accept it. It’s not the River I know, even if she’s been through a lot.
“All right. My cue to leave you alone,” says Luna. “But, Huff, I’m here for you. I mean it.”
“Thanks.”
She stands and grabs her burger, wrapping it up with her fries in the wax paper. Must be pretty good if she’s not willing to leave it behind. “You’re a good guy. Don’t let her get in your head, okay? She’s alive because of you.”
I nod.
“See you in a few days?”
“I’ll stop in.”
Luna disappears, and it doesn’t even faze me that she’s just traveled halfway around the world in two seconds, holding a half-eaten burger. Totally normal.
One month later…
“I’ve had some revelations,” I tell Luna while we’re sitting at the café she loves in Rome, overlooking the Palazzo Farnese with its “historic murals and inlaid gold ceilings”—I googled it. I appreciate how she’s constantly exploring (discreetly) interesting places to meet up because we think her house might still be under surveillance.
She sips from her tiny espresso cup, wearing a yellow sundress and white sandals, looking like a happy tourist. “Can’t wait to hear it.”
“I’m going back to finish my degree, and then I’m applying to law school.”
“Seriously?” She smiles, tucking a lock of brown and gold hair behind her ear. “That’s great news!”
It is. Even better, Kyle’s officially under investigation. I was contacted by a few men from the government who claim Kyle and his cronies were acting on their own. Major powerplay with lots of moving parts. Thankfully, though, it turns out there are still a few rational people left in power who absolutely do not want more Huffs. They understand the broader implications. Good news. Though, it creates a different issue: Luna. And the vial I have. They can’t find out about either even though chances are they will eventually. Just a question of time…
Until then, I’ve been given assurances that as long as I cooperate with Kyle’s investigation and don’t pose a threat, I’ll be left alone.
Do I believe them even if I went to the White House and heard it from the horses’ mouths?
Nope. Pure. Horse shit.
My guess is that they know they’re better off being on friendly terms versus threatening me or making me their enemy. But I know a day will come when they’ll either want a favor or turn against me.
In the meantime, I have to push forward with my own plans. Despite how things ended with River, she was right. My life, my happiness, and my future are heavily weighted on my decisions. I can either allow my situation to stuff my head with fear and ruin my life, or I can take ownership of the things within my control.
“Are you sure you want to do this, Huff?” Luna asks. “I mean, wow. Living out in the open like a regular guy?”
I sip my creamy latte. I can’t lie; Luna and her Italian haunts have ruined my taste for Dunkin. “If it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t. But I have to try. Being a lawyer is what I’ve always dreamed of.”
“What about Kyle?”
Luna knows about the threat I made to Kyle and how I disclosed I have the formula. I don’t think he’s done with me yet, but the fact there are more of me out there is keeping him quiet for now. He knows that it doesn’t matter if he’s locked up (with two broken legs). I can get to him anywhere, anytime.
“I’m not going to live my life being afraid of my brother.”
“That’s right,” she proclaims. “Should be the other way around.” Lula finishes off her espresso and places the cup on the saucer, her eyes lingering on the table for a long moment. I can tell something’s on her mind.