Junkyard Dog(21)

“Not cool, *.”

Smiling, I climb into my truck. Moot joins me, still frowning about the mention of Honey.

“Where do you want to eat?”

“What’s still open?”

“Everything. I keep my town running smoothly. Want steak?”

“Sounds good. A cold beer sounds better.”

“You’re out early. Whose dick did you suck to make that happen?” I ask, pulling out of the parking lot.

“Hell, if sucking dick would have gotten me early parole, I’d have hit my knees within weeks of arriving at the shithole. No amount of pride is better than being locked up.”

I think of how loyalty got him locked up for so long. Despite what he says, Moot has a lot of pride to keep his mouth shut for so long.

“So what’s the deal with you getting out early?”

“Don’t you read the papers? It was in the Nashville ones.”

“Those are run by Commies, so no, I don’t read them.”

“Commies. You’ll be spouting the same shit in fifty years. You never change, man.”

“So what’s the big story?”

Moot grins at me, clearly proud of his story. “I saved a guard who was getting his ass whooped by a few cons. They were planning on doing more to his ass than that too. I’m a big f*cking hero. The warden worked his magic and got me out a year early for taking a beating to save one of his guys.”

“Did a good deed and got rewarded. I hear that happens sometimes. Never seen it before but good for you. Why not call and have me pick you up? The true answer this time and not that shit excuse you gave back at the office.”

“The truth was I didn’t know if you’d care. I figured if I showed up unannounced, you’d have to fake a smile for me.”

“I sent you money,” I mutter, bothered by him thinking I didn’t remember his sacrifice.

“I know.”

“Got you a nest egg set up too.”

Moot taps his fingers against the window. “It’s not about what you do for me, but whether you’d still want me around. I did get busted for something stupid.”

“Saving a whore from her boyfriend was pretty f*cking stupid.”

“I still can’t believe she jumped me after I saved her like that.”

“How’s your head?”

Moot rubs the top of his head and rustles up his wild blond hairs. “Still got a knot where she nailed me with the beer bottle. Cunt testified against me too. What a bitch.”

“I offered to take care of her.”

“Killing chicks is cold, man.”

“So is ruining the guy that helped her out.”

“True.”

“Well you’re out, and I’ll get you set up.”

“No handouts. I’m willing to work.”

“Stop acting like a prison bitch.”

Moot gives me a dirty look, but I know he’s dying to grin. Freedom feels golden. The f*cker even looks ready to stick his head out of the window like a happy dog.

We arrive at the same steak house where I often bring Candy. It’s one of the few places where I can sit comfortably. Their back booth fits me perfectly, and I stretch out while Moot looks over the menu.

“The ribs are good,” I say when he can’t decide. “They have a new honey sauce you’ll like since you’re too big a sissy to handle the hickory stuff.”

“I gotta warn you that I’m gonna pig the f*ck out.”

“I figured. Do what you need to do.”

Moot orders so much food I end up laughing at him. Despite his company, I find myself thinking of Candy back at the office. She’s been playing things chilly since we had lunch. If I had to guess, I’d say she’s pissed about me f*cking other women. All of her talk about not needing romance is a con. She wants the fairy tale shit.

I probably shouldn’t have lied about f*cking other chicks, but Candy is always knocking me off my game. She can smile in my direction, and I instantly turn into a complete f*cking moron. I hate her for having that power, so I told her what she needed to hear. Now she knows she isn’t holding all the cards.

Based on our kiss, she’s still open to my interest. Based on how quickly she rebounded after the kiss and teased Moot, she’s capable of blowing me off for good.

“How long has Candy been in town?”

“A few weeks,” I say, startled to hear her name.

“She and Honey weren’t close. I remember that much.”

“Nothing’s changed really. You know broads, though. They want to fix what should be left alone.”

Moot shrugs. Soon he’s enjoying his food too much to get hung up on Honey and their history. I’m glad because I have no interest in rehashing that train wreck.

“I have a few construction crews you can hook up with. Once you’re back in the swing of shit, I’ll give you a crew to run. Unless you have other career plans.”

“I don’t care where I work.”

“Where are you looking to live?”

“Can’t I stay with you?” he asks, laughing with his mouth full. “Fuck. I’m going to choke.”

Rolling my eyes at his teasing, I say, “I have empty houses. Or an apartment if you don’t want to live surrounded by old people and families.”