Page 89 of Monstrous Serpent

“You good, Hunter?”

I set down the glass and look him dead in the eyes. “Wade's parole hearing is next year. I’m not letting him get out.”

The color drains from Garrett’s face, the fork falling from his hand. He clears his throat, cleaning up the morsels of food that scattered onto the table. “How you planning on stopping it, eh?”

“Atlas and I will be there, but the board has never heard from you. If you stand in front of them and tell them what happened that night—and the other nights—he stays in.”

“Is that why you came here?”

I nod.

“And here I thought maybe my brother might actually want to reconnect.” He huffs, shaking his head. “I’m such a goddamn fool.”

“Garrett.”

“I'll think about it.”

“Not an option.”

Garrett leans in, eyes narrowed. “I've got Natalie to think about too, Hunt. This isn't just about your goddamn friend.”

It is about Atlas. Always will be. But, if this were reversed, I wouldn’t agree to anything either until I made sure Atlas was safe.

I nod. “Fine.”

Garrett holds up his hand signaling the waitress for the bill, then grabs his cap and puts it on. “Thanks for meeting me today.”

“I got the bill.”

He ignores me, pulling cash from his back pocket, then lays it on the table. “Don’t need a handout, little brother. We split it, eh.”

My thumb traces the puckered skin running along my wrist as a lump forms in my throat. Garrett stopped calling me that when I turned thirteen.

The waitress places the bill on the table. “Hope you boys enjoyed the food!”

Garrett smiles. “Yes, ma’am. It was perfect.”

“Well, you two enjoy the rest of your day.” She walks down the row, stopping at another table.

My brother stands and looks down at me. “Keep in touch, Hunt.”

“You too.”

He nods, then walks away, the chime above the door sounding a few seconds later.

I watch through the window as he climbs into his pickup, then pulls away.

Maybe I can talk to someone again. Try new people ‘til I find the right one like Garrett did. Maybe even consider the medication this time.

And maybe I could have my brother back. Not the way it used to be when we were young.

But close.

Chapter 23

Cody

Two of our strongest players are out, and nobody will say why.