Page 98 of Trust Me

My jaw clenched as I looked at the bruising around one of his eyes. There was crusted blood beneath his nose, plus his lip was split.

Dropping into a crouch, I rested my forearms on my knees. “I’d say I didn’t take you for the fighting type, but that’d be a lie.”

“You should see the other guy.”

I looked at his hands, which were clean aside from what looked like his own blood that had dripped onto them.

“I’m shutting down the bar,” I decided.

“Fine.”

His lack of protest made me more wary, but I left him there so that I could deal with the situation.

“Everyone out!” I shouted.

Some people listened, but there were others who either ignored me or didn’t hear. Probably the former.

“Out before I throw you out. You’re nothing compared to the guys I’ve taken down on the field.”

They grumbled about it, but after a few minutes, the place was empty. I pulled out my phone and brought it to my ear as I leaned against the counter.

“Hey, Broku,” Oli answered, sounding conspiratorial for God knows what reason.

“There’s a . . . situation.”

“God damnit, I knew it. I’ll get in my car right now.”

“No,” I said quickly.

“Why?”

“Because if he wanted your help, I think he would’ve asked you, not me.”

There was a long silence that made me shift on my feet.

He sighed. “Something happened with Remi?”

“Yeah.”

“Bring him here.”

“But—”

“Dean, don’t argue with me right now. He didn’t text you because he wants your help. He just doesn’t want me to know whatever he did. He’ll deal with it himself, which means not dealing with it and stuffing it away to screw him up later.”

“Alright,” I muttered, knowing Oli understood Remi more than anyone. “I’ll see you soon.”

“And Dean?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you for telling me. He’ll ask you not to, if he hasn’t already.”

“Sure.”

After ending the call, I went back to the walk-in. Remi looked up, offering me a tight smile.

“You’re useful after all. Maybe I’ll keep you around.”

“Come on. We’re taking my car.”

His smile fell, giving way to an expression I could only describe as cold. “Don’t you dare try to take care of me. I’m not Oli.”

I scoffed, shaking my head as I grabbed his arm and hauled him to his feet. “Me? Nah, I don’t care enough to mend your fucked up face. But he does.”

“Wait.” He grabbed both of my shoulders tightly. His eyes were pleading now, the crazier Remi no longer visible in them. “Don’t tell him. He’ll just worry. You don’t want that. I know you don’t.”

“Jesus, man. Don’t start trying to manipulate me.”

“You care about him, obviously. Let’s just save him the stress. He holds onto a lot more of it than you know.”

“Give it up. I already told him.”

“Fucking hellfire.” He pushed me away from him and left the room. I followed close behind, thinking he’d try to bolt, but he just folded his arms and gestured for me to hurry up.

I wanted to question if he was actually seven years older than me. He sure wasn’t acting like it right now.

All that mattered was getting him to his best friend so he’d be out of my hands.