Page 95 of Point of Contact

“No, but he’s my friend.”

A short silence, and then she sighed. “Maybe if anyone can get through to him, you can.”

After promises to keep her posted, Jesse hung up. He dropped his head to the back of the couch and stared up at the ceiling for a few moments before picking up the phone again.

“What the fuck, dude?” he said without preamble when Watkins answered. “You’d rather lose your family than go to the fucking VA?”

“You don’t know shit about nothin’, Byrney.” Watkins’ voice was slurred and hoarse. “Leave me alone.”

“Uh-uh. I didn’t drag your ass outta the Valley only to watch you fuck your life up now. I’m coming over.”

As he drove across town, Jesse clenched his fingers on the wheel, feeling helpless and out of his depth, praying for wisdom. Evan needed professional help, but it was clear he also needed a friend. If Jesse could help bridge the gap between the two, well, he’d give it his best shot. He owed him at least that much.

The fucking Korengal didn’t deserve yet another victim.

Pulling up in front of the Watkinses’ small house, Jesse parked his truck and sat breathing deeply, gathering his composure. There was movement on the porch and Jesse saw Evan drop into a chair and slouch there, waiting, so Jesse got out of the car and headed toward him.

Although the front yard was well kept, the pavers on the walkway were a little uneven, and Jesse caught his toe on one and stumbled, catching himself with a curse.

Watkins chuckled. “Fuckin’ jerk.”

“Fuck you.”

Jesse made it to the porch and leaned down to give him a hug and a back thump, noticing he was freshly showered, smelling of mouthwash. As he settled into a chair next to him, Evan turned bloodshot eyes on him, a rueful twist to his mouth.

“Sami call you?”

Jesse grunted an affirmative.

“She was so pissed, dude.” Evan heaved a disgusted sigh. “The fuckin’ kicker is I don’t even remember what started that bar fight.”

“You mean other than a bunch of drunk guys running their mouths?”

Evan snorted. “Probably. Somebody said something to piss me off. Doesn’t take much, Byrney, you know. To piss me off.”

“I know.”

They sat quietly, watching cars go by on the street, lifting their hands in idle waves when an elderly couple strolled past walking their dog. Evan jiggled his leg up and down so hard Jesse could feel the vibration in the porch.

“You look good,” Evan muttered at last. “You been to a tanning booth or something?”

Jesse glanced down at himself. “No. I actually just got back from vacation with a...friend.”

“Must be fuckin’ nice.”

“It was.”

“Where’d you go?”

Jesse hesitated for a moment. “Hawaii.”

“Again? Must be really fuckin’ nice. I mean, you ain’t got no family, no responsibilities. Why not live it up?”

Jesse stayed quiet, letting Evan vent. What else could he do?

“You don’t got anyone expecting shit from you, expecting you to be the way you used to be before.”

“That’s right, Watty.” Jesse gritted his teeth. “I don’t have anyone.”