“He’s in a great mood today,” he said.

“He’ll calm down,” I said. “I’ll go see what’s up.”

I walked outside, squinting in the glaring sunlight. The property was large, most of it covered with trees and weeds. We had cleaned up the front yard when we moved in, hauled away the junk, and repaired the big metal garage built on the side of the property. That garage was now our shop; its exterior walls emblazoned with Vincent’s paintings. My parents had allowed this place to waste away when they owned it, but I’d inherited it a little over a year ago and already we’d done more work to the place than my dad had in all the years he lived there.

I couldn’t guess where my dad was now. When Mom passed away last year, he only showed up to make a fuss about the will before he disappeared again. For all I knew, my old man was dead too, and good riddance to him.

Lucas was pacing the yard, a deep frown fixed on his face as he smoked. His hands were dirty from working at the shop, streaked with oil and grime. The garage was manned by the two of us, and we worked it seven days a week, sometimes twenty-four hours a day when we got busy enough.

Our other dog, a little snub-nosed mutt that Vincent had named Haribo, lay nearby with his head resting between his paws. As I left the porch, the dog gave me a look that clearly said, this guy is stressing me out.

It was clear to me anyway. Lucas probably would have disagreed with the interpretation.

“Did you know Alex McAllister is going to that party next week?” Lucas’s voice was low.. Every muscle in his throat was tense with the effort to control his volume.

It took my brain a second to catch up with what he’d said. “You mean the bonfire? On the 4th?”

“Yes, at the fucking bonfire.” He took a long drag on the cigarette, his body one rigid mass of nervous energy.

I’d known him for years and he’d always been like this. Quick to anger, slow to forgive, moody as hell. He was either horny enough to fuck night and day, or so withdrawn he didn’t even want to be touched.

But we understood each other in a way no one else could. We’d bonded through trauma, clinging to each other when the hopelessness of our teen years had felt like it would never end. It was a bond that wouldn’t break.

The four of us had chosen to build our lives together, and that meant dealing with each other even at our worst.

“I didn’t ask about Alex,” I said, remembering the dick who’d punched me in the face right before I threatened to slit his throat from ear to ear. There was nothing quite like being bullied until you’re ready to kill someone. But I’d never forget how fast that fucker’s expression had changed from smug to terrified when he realized I’d fight back. “I figured he’d be there though. Considering it’s a holiday, I doubt he’ll be staying home. Hell, Kyle could show up for all I know.”