“What else are you willing to do?” Zeke snarled.

“Hey,” Watts said, pulling him back.

“What, did I cross a line? I come home to see my girlfriend kissing her ex, and I’m the bad guy?”

I shook my head. “You’ve been pushing me away for months. This is convenient for you.”

“Yes, my plan came together perfectly! I’m a goddamn genius! I was hoping exactly this would happen, to be unemployed shortly after learning that I can’t keep up with my own girlfriend, then to see the woman I love getting tongue choked by a world-class cockmuppet.”

Cockmuppet? Watts mouthed.

“The best part,” Zeke yelled, holding up one finger, “is that I can’t do anything about it, because I can’t even drink a beer without wondering if my heart is going to puss out on me!” he said, screaming the last words. Veins bulged from his neck, and he stumbled back, then leaned over, grabbing his knees.

“Jesus Christ,” I said, kneeling in front of him.

He met my gaze, breathing hard. “What was the favor?”

“I’m sorry,” I said, a tear escaping down my cheek. “When we came to get you guys the day that Fish was hurt. Peter let us go out to get you as a favor to me. That’s not the kind of favor you don’t pay back, Zeke. And he’s not the guy to betray. He feels like I held up my end of the bargain. It’s over.”

Zeke stood. “You’re right about that.”

“Zeke,” I said, brushing away a tear that had toppled over my lashes.

“I was already losing you,” Zeke said. “It’s time to call it.”

I shook my head. “Zeke, you’re drunk. Go back to the hotel. Come home in the morning, and we can talk.”

“This isn’t my home. It’s yours.” He looked around the room. “The home that Peter built,” he spat.

“We should go,” Watts said.

“You’ll keep an eye on him?”

Watts nodded. “He’s going to hate himself in the morning,” he whispered. “Don’t be too hard on him.”

“Just take care of him,” I said, watching Watts help Zeke out the door.

chapter thirty-three

lost

Naomi

W

hile Zeke’s voicemail greeting played, I decided if I would leave a third message. His voice was deep but light-hearted like the man I knew, the one who loved me back.

I closed my eyes tight. “Zeke, it’s me. I don’t know if you’re avoiding me because you’re pissed off or ashamed, but either way, can we just talk about it? Even if you want to tell me to fuck off. Just … don’t let me sit here wondering. It’s fucking torture. Please…? Bye.”