Page 381 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“No. I bought two because capitalism.”

Elliot took it.

“Thank you.”

Ronan stared. Elliot looked down at the cup.

“What?”

“You said thank you.”

“I say thank you.”

“Not to me.”

“Maybe you should do more things worth thanking.”

“There he is.”

Elliot smiled. Small. Tired. Real. Ronan looked at his face. No blood. No mask. No polished Bellweather smile either. Just Elliot.

“What?”

“You did good.”

The smile vanished. Ronan immediately felt something shift. Elliot looked away.

“Don’t.”

“What?”

“Say it like that.”

Ronan understood. Good. Good boy. Saint. The words had been poisoned. Except not entirely. They had used them together after Saint. Maybe that was the point. Ronan moved closer.

“You did good.”

Elliot looked back.

“I almost pressed red.”

“But you didn’t.”

“I wanted to.”

“I know.”

“You shouldn’t be proud of me for doing the bare minimum.”

Ronan frowned.

“Saving your mom is the bare minimum?”

“You know what I mean.”

“Yes.”

Ronan leaned against the brick wall. Elliot stood beside him. Close enough that their shoulders touched. Neither moved.