Jimmy drove in silence, his grip on the steering wheel firm but not tense. The air in the car was thick with unspoken tension, a weight that neither seemed willing to address until Lucian broke it.
“So,” Lucian said softly, his voice almost lost in the noise of the engine. He didn’t turn to look at Jimmy, his gaze still focused outside the window. “What happened? Why are you in this mood?”
Jimmy let out a low breath, his eyes flicking briefly to Lucian before returning to the road. His jaw tightened slightly. “You noticed, huh?” he murmured, his voice low. “It’s nothing. Avey called me earlier. We… had a talk.”
“Oh.” Lucian’s response was quiet, almost detached. He drew in a deep breath, exhaling slowly. “What did she want?”
Jimmy hesitated for a moment, his hands tightening around the steering wheel. “She wanted my help,” he said finally, his tone flat. “Wanted me to tell her what to do… how to fix things with you. How to… get you back.” His voice grew quieter, but the tension in his words was unmistakable. “I told her no.”
Lucian blinked, his eyes shifting slightly as they focused on the horizon. “I see,” he said, his voice devoid of emotion, though his chest felt heavier.
Jimmy’s grip on the wheel tightened further, his knuckles whitening. “That woman…” he began, his teeth gritting as his voice rose, carrying an edge of restrained anger. “She couldn’t even give me one f**king reason for all the sh*t she did to you. Not one!”
Lucian’s shoulders stiffened slightly, but he remained silent.
“And then,” Jimmy continued, his tone sharp and cutting, “she has the audacity to call me. To ask me of all people to help her fix things. The brass neck on her…” His words trailed off, replaced by the sound of his heavy breathing as he tried to calm himself.
Lucian’s eyes dropped, his gaze falling to his lap. The faintest shadow of sadness crossed his face, though he quickly masked it. “Hmm,” he murmured, his voice quiet.
Jimmy glanced at him, his expression softening just slightly. He exhaled deeply, loosening his grip on the wheel. “I told her to stay away,” he said, his voice quieter now but no less firm. “And I’m telling you the same thing.”
Lucian turned his head slightly toward Jimmy, his expression unreadable.
“I know how you feel about her,” Jimmy continued, his voice steady but tinged with an almost brotherly concern. “I know what she meant to you. But don’t do this to yourself. Don’t ignore everything she did, thinking her good side is enough to make up for it.”
Lucian’s lips pressed into a thin line, but he didn’t respond.
Jimmy sighed, his tone softening as he spoke again. “You’ve already given up on her. You’ve already started moving on. That’s the best thing you could’ve done for yourself. And I’m proud of you for that.”
Lucian’s eyes flicked toward the window again, but the faintest twitch of his lips betrayed the impact of Jimmy’s words.
“Just don’t look back,” Jimmy said, his voice steady but low. “Keep going. I’ve got your back, no matter what. You need anything you call me. But don’t ever let yourself fall back into that pit. Don’t let her drag you down again.”
Me too Garry added from back his voice low and weirdly softer.
Lucian swallowed hard, his throat tightening as Jimmy’s words settled in his chest. “Thanks,” Lucian whispered, his voice barely audible.
Jimmy his eyes fixed on the road. “Always,” he said simply, his voice calm but resolute.
Lucian closed his eyes, leaning his head back against the window. The weight on his chest felt a little lighter now, though the ache lingered like an old wound.
Finally
Jimmy pulled his red sedan into the parking lot of their usual haunt, the Black Butterfly Restaurant. The car rolled to a stop, and he cut the engine, letting out a contented sigh.
“Ohhh, we’re here,” Jimmy said, glancing toward the entrance. “I’m starving.”
“Same,” Lucian and Garry chimed in unison, their enthusiasm matching Jimmy’s.
They climbed out of the car, the cool evening air brushing against their faces. Lucian took a deep breath, savoring the freshness. The heaviness of the earlier conversation still clung to him, but he exhaled slowly, as if trying to let it go.
“Man,” he muttered under his breath, running a hand through his hair. “That was a lot.”
Jimmy gave him a side glance but didn’t press, instead heading for the restaurant’s entrance with his usual casual stride. The small group followed him, their shoes crunching lightly against the gravel.
Jimmy reached the door first, holding it open with one hand. “Let’s eat,” he said simply, ushering the others inside.
The familiar hum of the restaurant greeted them quiet chatter, the clink of cutlery, the occasional burst of laughter. It was a cozy place, the lighting warm and the smell of grilled food hanging in the air. Jimmy gave a brief nod to a few men stationed near the counter, their eyes flickering toward him in acknowledgment.
The three of them headed to their usual spot in the back, the last table tucked neatly against the wall. Jimmy slid into the seat first, leaning back as if claiming his territory. Lucian and Garry followed suit, their earlier tension melting into the restaurant’s easy atmosphere.
“What’re you eating?” Jimmy asked, glancing at the menu briefly before tossing it aside.
“Burgers,” Lucian and Garry said in unison, not missing a beat.
“Good choice,” Jimmy said, nodding in approval. After placing their order, the three settled into idle chatter, their conversation light and meandering.
When the food arrived, the smell of freshly grilled meat and warm buns filled the air. Jimmy bit into his burger immediately, nodding in satisfaction. “Perfect,” he mumbled through a mouthful.
Garry and Lucian followed suit, the table falling into a comfortable rhythm of small talk and the occasional grunt of approval as they ate.
Then, the restaurant’s doors opened with a loud creak, drawing everyone’s attention.
A man strode in, his presence commanding. His footsteps were deliberate, heavy against the tiled floor, as if he wanted everyone to notice him. He scanned the room, his sharp eyes darting from table to table, searching.
Lucian’s eyes flicked toward the entrance, and he sighed deeply, a familiar weariness settling over him. “What a day,” he muttered to himself. “Celestia, Arthur, and now him…” His voice trailed off as he shook his head.