Worth Saving(73)

I let out a sigh. “Yeah, that sucked. I’ve talked to my mom a couple of times since then, and she’s tried to give me some advice, but I’m still in a rut.”

“So, have you talked to Layla yet?”

“Nah. She called earlier today, but I didn’t pick up.”

“What? Why not?”

“Because I don’t even know what to say. What the hell do you say to someone after you find out they’ve been lying to you about being a prostitute?”

“Come on, man,” Jason barks. “Look, all of us were in complete shock and really pissed off after we saw her that night. But, it’s been a while now, and the truth is, you two were f*cking great together. And if I’m saying it, then you know it’s something serious. I could understand if she’d had a normal life growing up, and she just made a choice to work there and hide it from you, and she was still working there even after you found out. But, her situation is unique as hell, and you know that. You know how hard she had it growing up, and all that shit with her dad, and you told me yourself that her boss used to hit her just like her dad did. She was probably scared to leave, but then you said she told you she quit, right?”

I rub my forehead with my fingers. “Yeah, she said she quit the same night we were there.”

“Well, there you go,” Jason continues preaching. “She quit her job, man. If she loved it as much as you’ve been acting like she did, then she must love you more, because she gave it up for you. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like that’s a big deal.”

I lean back on the couch and sigh again, shaking my head. I hate when Jason’s right.

“Look, man,” he continues. “It may not mean shit coming from me, but what I saw when I was there seemed like a good thing to have. All the stuff you told me about her, and the times we hung out together, it seemed legit to me. You had a real connection, man. And, it’s just my opinion, but knowing what you know about her life, and the fact that she quit her job for you, that should mean something. I mean, what have you given up for her? She quit her job, and who knows what her boss may have done when she did it. She quit, then begged you to understand her plight, but you chose not to. But, what have you given up for her?”

“Come on, Jason, you know it’s not that simple,” I snip, sitting back up and leaning forward. “Okay, so she had a rough life, and she quit her job. But, what about all the guys she’s been with over the past four f*cking years? Am I supposed to act like she wasn’t out there sleeping with all of Las Vegas?”

“Alright, so she slept with some guys, and you slept with a ton of girls while you were at the academy and on your deployments. Why is it okay for you, but not for her? She was doing that shit for a living, you were doing it for fun. Which is worse?”

“Fuck, but she was a prostitute!”

“And you were a man-whore. You both f*cked people before you met each other, but neither of you f*cked anybody after you met. What more do you f*cking want, Austin? That girl changed her life, bro. I think you’re making it more complicated than it has to be. Because, you know you want to be with her.”

“Ugh. I don’t like it when you’re being all serious like this,” I jest. “When did you become a relationship counselor?”

“I’m not,” he laughs. “I just call it like I see it, and I saw how happy you were when you guys were kicking it, and I see how sad you are now that you’re not. Let me just say that again; you were happy when you were together, and you’re all f*cked up now that you’re not. You do the math.”

“You sound just like my therapist.”

“Well, maybe your therapist is a genius, just like me.”

I laugh at Jason’s joke, then I take a swig of my drink. After I swallow, I keep thinking about everything he just said, and how it all makes sense, and I end up chugging the rest of the liquid down.

“Look, I know you’ve got a lot to think about, and I’ve got a hot date, so I gotta let you go,” Jason says, behind a chuckle.

“Damn, you always have a f*cking hot date.”

“Yes. Yes, I do. I’ll talk to you later, man. Call me if you need me. Oh, and just think about what I said. Alright?”

“Okay. I will. I’m gonna get my ass in the bed. I’ll talk to you later.”



“So how long you been with her?”

“Seven months. I met her while I was in the academy.”

“Well, that’s cool, Lieutenant,” I say as calmly as I can. The look on this guy’s face tells me he’s nervous. Exactly the kind of thing I don’t need. This isn’t the time or place for babysitting, but it’s in my best interest to make sure this newbie doesn’t lose his cool before we get there. It’s his first time out.

“How about you, Captain?” he asks. I look down next to the controls and see his knee is bouncing rapidly like he’s trying to burp a baby.

“Nah, none of that for me. Been off and on a little, but definitely more off than on. I don’t do serious. I just try to get mine and be on my way. Haven’t been in a rush for anything serious because I’m always out here doing this. I try to stay focused, because if you’re not focused, you make mistakes, and I can’t have that. Got too much at stake for distractions.”