"I won't lie. It sucked not having you around, man. You're one of my best friends, and Nora—she had Jake, but I know she missed you too." He claps me on the shoulder. "But I get it, you had your own hell to deal with. Life's too fucking short to hold grudges against the people you care about. So, I forgive you." A half-smile crosses his face. "Just don't miss my birthday or you're really dead to me."

I laugh, as he pulls me into a quick hug. The forgiveness lifts a weight I didn't realize I'd been carrying, but my mind keeps circling back to Nora, to those shadows in her eyes.

Jake reappears, breaking our moment.

"We gonna chat all day, or are we gonna eat?"

My phone buzzes again—Jay's fifth call today.

"You guys go ahead," I say, forcing a smile. "I need to handle something. I'll catch up later."

Ollie gives me a long look but nods.

"All right, man. Hit us up when you're free."

It takes Jay fifteen minutes to meet me in an empty parking lot. He steps out of his Camaro, cigarette smoke curling from his lips, anxiety radiating off him.

"Nate, where the fuck have you been?"

"I was with my brother." I shrug, avoiding eye contact. "What's up?"

"What's up is that Monty has been on my fucking ass about you." He leans in, lowering his voice. "They want their money."

"I told you, I'll get it," I say, keeping my voice hard while clenching my jaw.

"It's not just that." He runs a hand through his hair, glancing over his shoulder. "I think Monty knows who you are, who your family is. They're going to ask for more. Way more."

Fuck my life.

"I'll get their money," I grit out, nostrils flaring. "Then I'm done with this shit. For good."

Jay looks skeptical but nods, exhaling slowly. "Fine. I’ll try hold him off a couple of days. But for real,” he grabs my shoulder, "be careful. These guys don't fuck around. I’m being dead ass serious."

"I know," I mutter, shaking off his grip. "Can you give me a lift home?"

I haven't even sat in the car when Farrah calls.

This day keeps getting better and fucking better.

I pick up the phone like ripping off a bandage.

"What?" I snap, slamming the car door shut.

"Where have you been?" Farrah's voice cuts like glass. "You've been avoiding my calls all day." I can practically hear her pacing.

"What do you want, Farrah?" I pinch the bridge of my nose, catching Jay rolling his eyes in the driver's seat.

"Are you coming to the carnival tonight?" Her tone shifts to something almost hopeful.

"No." I stare out the window, watching the streets blur by.

A heavy pause. "Why not?" Her voice tightens.

"Because." I tap my fingers against my knee, agitated.