{"id":694,"date":"2021-01-06T21:23:45","date_gmt":"2021-01-06T21:23:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/?p=694"},"modified":"2021-01-13T21:48:48","modified_gmt":"2021-01-13T21:48:48","slug":"fishbones-book-ii-chapter-38-bad-taste","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/2021\/01\/fishbones-book-ii-chapter-38-bad-taste\/","title":{"rendered":"Fishbones Book II \u2013 Chapter 38: Bad Taste"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"\"by Eyugho<\/a><\/p>\n

Ferris didn\u2019t love this wine bar, or any wine bar really. But he did love Demos, and this was the spot Demos had chosen for this date. Well, Ferris was pretty sure it was a date. Venn diagrams and column charts had been running through his head in a vain attempt to calculate the difference between a date and simply spending their usual time together.<\/p>\n

What made this different? It couldn\u2019t have been the setting. Cold rain was pelting the street outside, streaming down the large glass windows. They had been to wine bars before as friends. This conversation wasn\u2019t especially romantic, either. Wait, maybe this wasn\u2019t<\/i> a date.<\/p>\n

Then, as the lamplight fell along the curve of Demos\u2019 jaw, as he glanced over with that look\u2014<\/p>\n

Demos had made that look plenty of times. The one that was set straight on Ferris\u2019 eyes with a hint of tightness, that was so deep he could get lost in them. The one that was warm, wanting. He had been making that look for years. There was only one difference\u2014now, Ferris understood what it meant. It was like seeing it for the first time, feeling every unspoken word low in his chest. That was the difference.<\/p>\n

Still, it couldn\u2019t hurt to ask.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs this a date?\u201d Ferris asked. Any suspicion in the question was unintentional. His voice was low in the din of the bar, swallowed by the conversation of other patrons and the clinks of glass and knives on charcuterie plates. He and Demos were seated at the bar, angled on the stools just enough to see each other\u2019s faces. Demos\u2019 knee had brushed his own several times and Ferris was 100% certain it was intentional.<\/p>\n

Demos smiled, unfazed. \u201cDo you want it to be?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUh\u2014\u201c Ferris should have known his partner would throw the question right back at him. He should have prepared notes. \u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Demos gestured to the three wine glasses that sat before them on the counter. \u201cThen be nice and humor me\u2014tell me what you think.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly, these all taste the same to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, try this Piedirosso.\u201d Demos scooched a fourth glass over with his fingers. \u201cIt\u2019s like night and day. Different region, different varietal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ferris\u2019 eyes fell to the glass that was now in front of him. He held in a sigh and lifted it. There were steps to this\u2014far<\/i> too many steps. But Demos had looked so happy explaining them, so hopeful that Ferris might get sucked down into this wine hell right with him. Ferris rolled the glass by the stem then took in the scent. Yep, it was definitely wine.<\/p>\n

He took a sip then paused in thought. \u201cHey, you\u2019re right. This one tastes more expensive.\u201d He tilted the glass to take in the scent once more. \u201cI\u2019m getting notes of a\u2014300% markup on the wholesale cost per bottle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine. This isn\u2019t<\/i> a date,\u201d Demos said with a scoff.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, wait.\u201d Ferris bit back a smile and reached for his arm. \u201cI\u2019m done being a jackass. I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Demos let out a quick laugh. \u201cYou can\u2019t be done<\/i> if it\u2019s just your personality.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHang on a second\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, look who it is,\u201d came a new voice from behind Demos. A man had leaned an elbow on the bar\u2014a man Ferris had never seen before. He was tall with angled cheekbones and bronze hair that fell down to his shoulders in waves. The only color in his outfit was white, each line cut in striking angles that most other men probably couldn\u2019t pull off. His eyes were on Demos.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a while. What\u2019re you doing tonight?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Demos didn\u2019t look over\u2014or even lift his head. The laughter in his features had vanished, replaced by a stony gaze down into his glass. He took a sip then set it onto the bar with a clink. \u201cSorry, I\u2019m with someone.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was only then that the newcomer looked at Ferris. \u201cWith who, him?\u201d There was something unsettling about the man\u2019s gaze as it drifted over him, judging every detail of Ferris\u2019 features. His hair. His clothing. The stranger snorted then looked back at Demos. \u201cCome on. You can do better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still, Demos didn\u2019t look over. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t call a misplaced Zara mannequin better<\/i>.\u201d<\/p>\n

The ex, or whatever he was, eased himself from the counter with a chuckle. He moved down the bar just enough to lean in against Ferris\u2019 ear.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep an eye on this one.\u201d His voice was seedy and damp. \u201cHe\u2019s a real slut<\/i>.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was the scrape of a bar stool, the crack of knuckles on bone, and the clamor of an entire man\u2019s body toppling back into a dining table. Patrons cried out and recoiled as their drinks spilled, glass and wine splattering onto the floor.<\/p>\n

Ferris said nothing, only breathing\u2014keeping his fist tight as he stood staring at the man now bent backward over a table.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2014\u201c His victim gasped, failing to stop the gush of blood from his twisted, swollen nose. It stained his fingers, running down the front of his crisp, white jacket. \u201cW-what the fuck<\/i>!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ferris felt a hand on his wrist. Demos was tugging him backward, toward the door and away from the enormous mess Ferris had just created with his outburst. A bartender was punching in numbers on a wall-mounted phone. Probably calling the police. With a final glare, Ferris tore his eyes away, allowing his partner to usher him out of the building.<\/p>\n

Rain pelted the two as they half-ran half-walked down the street. Demos tugged him up a stoop, allowing the covered doorway to shield them from the torrent. Hopefully whoever lived in this building wouldn\u2019t choose that moment to throw open the door. Ferris brushed rainwater from his hair, his heart still racing.<\/p>\n

Demos\u2019 gaze was cast down and even in the dark Ferris could see the weakness in his posture and the weariness in his eyes. That was it. The two of them were probably banned from ever going to that particular wine bar again. Ferris had embarrassed him in public. Overreacted. Caused a scene.<\/p>\n

\u201cShit, I\u2019m sorry,\u201d Ferris said. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

Demos\u2019 forehead dropped onto Ferris\u2019 shoulder. He buried his face against the wet collar of his jacket, both hands resting on Ferris\u2019 chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Demos murmured.<\/p>\n

Ferris took in a breath before holding his partner against his chest. One hand went to the back of his head, fingertips brushing against his hair. Rain was the only thing he could hear, still pelting the sidewalk and skipping on the roofs of parked cars.<\/p>\n

So,\u201d Demos said, his voice weak. \u201cYou\u2019re not going to ask who that was?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that something you want to talk about?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d Demos\u2019 fingers gripped his collar. His next words were quiet, barely audible against his shoulder. \u201cHe\u2019s not wrong, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think that matters to me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t,\u201d Ferris said. \u201cIt never has.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ferris could feel Demos\u2019 next breath shudder in, then out. They were both quiet for a while, huddled under the entryway of an incidental apartment building. The few people on the street were hunched, clutching umbrellas as they bustled over puddles.<\/p>\n

After a beat, Demos huffed a laugh into his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Ferris asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou just broke a Givenchy model\u2019s nose.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ferris narrowed his eyes. \u201cA what<\/i> model?\u201d<\/p>\n

Demos laughed again\u2014Ferris could feel him shake against his arms. Well, at least someone found all of this amusing.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know,\u201d Demos began. \u201cYou\u2019re not out of my league.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2014wait, what?\u201d<\/p>\n

Demos glanced up. \u201cYou said so. Back in the alley.\u201d<\/p>\n

The alley. That was behind the restaurant, back when Demos had asked why Ferris had never admitted how he felt. Why he\u2019d stayed silent the last couple of years. That guy he\u2019d punched had driven the point home. \u201cYou can do better.<\/i>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, come on.\u201d Ferris made a weak gesture back in the general direction of the wine bar. \u201cI\u2019ve practically lived<\/i> in an Italian restaurant for a decade and I still can\u2019t tell the difference between a Grignolino and a Dolcetto. And you<\/i>\u2014you literally had a model trying to pick you up<\/i> in public.\u201d<\/p>\n

Well, maybe he would have to take a break from modeling with his nose in three pieces. Ha.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo?\u201d Demos huffed out a breath. \u201cThat doesn\u2019t mean there isn\u2019t something rotten in me. That I don\u2019t\u2014deserve<\/i> to be called that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDemos, you\u2019re not\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s something decent in you. Something I can\u2019t take away no matter how far down I drag you with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re wrong\u2014you\u2019ve never dragged<\/i> me anywhere.\u201d Ferris pulled back just enough to get a look at his partner\u2019s face. \u201cWell, except to that wine bar.\u201d He took in a slow breath, his hands resting on Demos\u2019 upper arms. \u201cYou\u2019re not rotten. You deserve to be happy, just like everyone else. I don\u2019t want to hear you say it ever again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I\u2019m\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cI love you. You think I\u2019m going to let anyone talk about the person I love like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Demos reddened, averting his eyes. \u201cBut\u2014look at me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am,\u201d Ferris said. \u201cAre you trying to tell me I have bad taste?\u201d<\/p>\n

Demos\u2019 eyes dropped to Ferris\u2019 shoes, lingered for just a moment, then drew back up to meet him. \u201cWell\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, come on. I just bought these shoes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Demos laughed. The smile had returned to his face, this one lighter\u2014softer. \u201cPescetto,\u201d he said, taking Ferris\u2019 face in both his hands. \u201cI want you to know\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

Ferris leaned in closer, enough to feel his partner\u2019s breath on his cheek. \u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re both from Piedmont but the Dolcetto is bolder.\u201d<\/p>\n

A curt laugh escaped Ferris\u2019 chest. \u201cOf course it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I love you, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

They were an inch and a half from an actual kiss when a car began honking from the street. Two men yelled at one another in the rain followed by more honking. There were still pedestrians moving up and down the sidewalk. This was a bad place to have a \u201cmoment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ferris pulled back with an apologetic look. \u201cYou know, we never finished our date. Maybe we can try somewhere\u2014uh, where I haven\u2019t punched someone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnywhere I want?\u201d Demos asked with a look that made Ferris uneasy. \u201cOkay then. Uchi.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ferris dug in his jacket pocket for his phone. \u201cDo you have the number? I\u2019ll see if they have a table.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Ferris could push a single button, Demos had cupped his hand over the phone to snap it shut with a clack<\/i>. \u201cYou\u2019re cute.\u201d He slipped out his own phone, scrolling through the numbers until he found the one he\u2019d saved. \u201cI\u2019ll call. Your name won\u2019t get us into this place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Of course it was a restaurant that was hard to get into. Of course. Ferris wasn\u2019t sure if Demos was connected through the restaurant or through the other<\/i> family business. Either way, what Demos wanted, he usually got. Demos was only on the line for a half minute before he ended the call.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re lucky. There\u2019s a table for two if we\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

There was a ring\u2014this time, from Ferris\u2019 phone. He dug it out of his pocket and glared at the notification. \u201cShit, hang on. It\u2019s Sergio.\u201d The phone snapped open and he lifted it with a sigh. \u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey,\u201d Sergio said. \u201cYou in the mood to drive me and my friend to the pig farm?\u201d<\/p>\n

This had happened before. \u201cMy friend\u201d was an unplanned corpse and the \u201cpig farm\u201d was, well, an actual pig farm. Sergio was certainly strong, but moving a body was always easier with another set of hands. And he had perfect timing, as usual.<\/p>\n

\u201cAgain?\u201d Ferris pinched the bridge of his nose. \u201cWhy do you always ask me<\/i>?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know Demos doesn\u2019t have any upper body strength.\u201d<\/p>\n

Well, he wasn\u2019t wrong.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m kind of busy,\u201d he said with a sigh. \u201cWhere are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe restaurant.\u201d Sergio paused before continuing, his voice raising slightly in pitch. \u201cAnd uh, one more thing. Promise you won\u2019t be mad?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo<\/i>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ferris could hear him groan through the phone speaker. \u201cI happen to be, uh\u2014not alone?\u201d There was another pause, this one longer. When Sergio finally spoke, it was in a hurried mutter. \u201cSeamus is here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the fuck<\/i> do you mean<\/i> Seamus is there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGreat, see you soon!\u201d<\/p>\n

The call ended and the only answer Ferris got was dead silence.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was that all about?\u201d Demos asked with a raised brow.<\/p>\n

Ferris was glaring a hole through his phone. His fingers tightened around the case before snapping it shut. \u201cWe\u2019re going to the pig farm. One body. Plus your cousin after I fucking kill him<\/i>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine, but you\u2019re doing the lifting. You know I don\u2019t have any upper body strength.\u201d<\/p>\n

#<\/p>\n

The cab\u2019s brakes squeaked as it came to a stop in front of Ristorante Giorgetti. Ferris and Demos shielded their faces from the rain with their arms as they hurried under the awning. The keys Demos pulled out were unnecessary\u2014the moment his hand went to the knob, it turned. Sergio had left it unlocked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIdiot,\u201d Demos muttered under his breath as they pushed their way inside.<\/p>\n

At the bar was Sergio, seated on a stool and halfway through pouring himself a glass of whisky. Blood stained his face, hands, and shirt. It seemed he had made some effort to clean himself then had given up halfway through.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, where is it?\u201d Demos asked, already tired.<\/p>\n

Sergio gestured toward the kitchen with his glass. \u201cGo ahead. I\u2019ll be there in a minute.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a sigh, Demos crossed the room, throwing the swinging doors open with both hands. There was a pause before he groaned. \u201cSeriously<\/i>, Sergio?\u201d<\/p>\n

The doors swung shut behind him.<\/p>\n

Before Ferris could say a word, Sergio had swept up and thrown an arm around his shoulder. \u201cHey, there\u2019s my good friend,\u201d Sergio said with a forced smile. \u201cUh, so\u2014remember that pinky promise? Remember how much you liked me when we had that conversation? I want you to hold on to that feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ferris nudged him off then dragged the back of his hand across his jaw. Blood. Great. His glare fastened on the only other man in the room. \u201cWhat the fuck<\/i> happened? Where\u2019s Seamus<\/i>?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wasn\u2019t even supposed to be here! I told him to go home.\u201d Sergio threw up his hands in defeat. \u201cIt was all a big\u2014misunderstanding?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA misunderstanding<\/i>? I swear to God\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, I didn\u2019t know he\u2019d stayed late. Shit with Jimmy got out of hand and your friend rushed in there to bust a fucking vodka bottle over the guy\u2019s head. Or was it gin? I don\u2019t\u2014anyway, he saved my life.\u201d Sergio sucked in a breath through his teeth then continued. \u201cThen I might<\/i> have killed Jimmy with a butcher\u2019s knife.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight in front<\/i> of him?\u201d Ferris\u2019 hands balled into fists, fingernails digging lines into his palms. \u201cYou know how much seeing my first dead body fucked me up? How many years I had nightmares about it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sergio took a moment to count on his fingers. His face scrunched in thought as he made a Giorgetti\u2019s mediocre attempt at math. \u201cUh, which body was that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

The rest of the story played through Ferris\u2019 head as he stood there, silent. It was right there through those doors. Almost ten years ago. Sergio had been there, too\u2014he\u2019d asked Ferris to find Rocco in the kitchen. The body was in the alley, in trunk of Victor\u2019s car. The Lincoln. Victor. He made Ferris promise not to tell anyone. Ever.<\/p>\n

And he never did.<\/p>\n

Ferris looked away. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sergio only shrugged. \u201cWell, you got used to it, right? Everyone does, eventually.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ferris\u2019 eyes snapped back onto Sergio. \u201cI don\u2019t need Seamus \u2018getting used to\u2019 seeing a guy getting hacked in two with a cleaver every time he closes his fucking eyes!\u201d His chest heaved, drawing air through his raw throat. \u201cWhere is he<\/i>?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sergio gestured back with his thumb. \u201cHe went to smoke in the alley. He\u2019s\u2014wait. Hey, hang on. Am I going to have to find another bartender? Ferris?\u201d<\/p>\n

But Ferris was already gone. He averted his eyes as he went through the kitchen, only catching a glimpse of Demos on his knees with a bucket and a sponge. And a lot of red.<\/p>\n

It was still raining outside. The back door clicked shut and Ferris looked up to see Seamus, smoking in the alley. Just where Sergio said he\u2019d be.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeamus. Are you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, mate.\u201d Seamus flicked ash from his cigarette, keeping his eyes on the opposite wall. \u201cAll good.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was no awning in the alley, nothing to block the rain. It was clear he\u2019d been standing out there for a while. His hair was matted to his forehead, clothes soaked from the shoulders down. He was pallid, staring, fingers shaking around the damp cigarette.<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t look \u201call good.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, I\u2019m sorry,\u201d Ferris said, stopping at his side. \u201cI never wanted you to see\u2014any of that shit. I can help you find a new job, maybe at\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want a new job.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ferris knew that look, that tone of voice. He too had been there, staring at a wall. Voice drifting. Disconnecting from his own thoughts.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t stay here.\u201d Rain began to spot on Ferris\u2019 glasses. \u201cI don\u2019t want you involved in any of this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seamus finally looked over with a starling glare. \u201cYou\u2019ve already involved<\/i> me, haven\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a silence before Ferris spoke under the sound of the rain. \u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Fer,\u201d Seamus said with a scoff. \u201cMy old manager\u2014unconscious in the alley behind the bar with two broken hands and a tip jar smashed over his head? You thought I wouldn\u2019t notice that? I\u2019d be daft enough to think it was a coincidence?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ferris cringed. \u201c\u2026Yes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know you don\u2019t think I can handle this, but I can<\/i>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not a matter of handling it. I just don\u2019t want you to get hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou let Demos do it.\u201d Seamus took a drag of the dwindling remainder of his cigarette. \u201cYou think he\u2019s some kind of misunderstood darling, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014\u201c Ferris\u2019 eyes dropped to the pavement, watching the droplets spatter over shallow puddles. \u201cHe\u2019s not a good person.\u201d He closed his eyes. \u201cAnd neither am I.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seamus didn\u2019t seem to have a response. They were both quiet, both taking a moment to absorb what Ferris had just said. Finally, Ferris huffed out a breath into the cold air. \u201cAnd anyway, I don\u2019t let<\/i> him do anything,\u201d he said, glancing back over. \u201cI couldn\u2019t stop him from doing this with a shark cage and a brick of ketamine. You know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do. And you\u2019re not going to stop me either.\u201d Seamus sucked at what apparently a burning filter then coughed. \u201dI won\u2019t go looking for trouble. I swear it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut trouble always comes to you,\u201d Ferris said. \u201cDoesn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Seamus flicked the cigarette butt aside. \u201cLook who\u2019s talking. You\u2019re an accountant<\/i> who comes home every night with black eyes and busted lips. I like<\/i> working here; I\u2019m good at it. You want me to go back to being unemployed? A bum sleeping on your sofa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ferris frowned. \u201cI\u2014not every<\/i> night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe two of you, there\u2019s always been\u2014something<\/i> between you. Something I wasn\u2019t a part of.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ferris swiped a hand across the air. \u201cI don\u2019t want you being a part of this!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what do you care?\u201d Seamus was closer now, his voice bouncing off the brick. \u201cHow are my choices any of your<\/i> business?<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s my business because you\u2019re my friend<\/i> and I love<\/i> you.\u201d Ferris\u2019 breath was rising under the cold, wet air. \u201cThis life, I wouldn\u2019t wish it on anyone. Especially not you. I\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

Ferris paused. He watched as Seamus\u2019 hands dropped, his body shuddering in each breath. His brow was drawn, eyes tight with a frailty Ferris had never seen before. Even in the rain, Ferris could see it. The welling in his eyes, the pull of his lungs. Tears broke over the rims of each eyelid, running down to his already wet jaw. He shook, posture waning.<\/p>\n

Ferris stepped in, taking his friend into his arms before he could buckle.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Seamus said into his shoulder. \u201cI\u2014 I\u2019ve fucked up again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t do anything wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just wanted\u2014I just wanted you to think I was worth something. That I could do one thing<\/i> on my own.\u201d Seamus\u2019 teeth were grit, each word choking out. \u201cI didn\u2019t even get this job myself. You had to hand it to me and now\u2014now I\u2019ve let you down. I\u2019ve let you down again<\/i>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ferris hardened his hold, keeping his friend steady. \u201cYou haven\u2019t let anyone down. You\u2019ve come so far this year.\u201d He took in a slow breath. \u201cI\u2019ve seen how hard you\u2019re working. I\u2019ve been so proud of you\u2014you know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seamus sniffed then exhaled. Ferris could feel his fingers tighten around his jacket, the shudder in his body settling. \u201cThen\u2014let me stay. Just let me try, Fer.\u201d His voice softened under the sound of the rain. \u201cLet me decide for myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ferris shut his eyes. He knew Seamus was right\u2014that he was an adult that could, and should<\/i> be making his own decisions. Ferris couldn\u2019t simply step in and whisk him away from every danger in the world. It wasn\u2019t that easy. It wasn\u2019t that simple. But God<\/i>, he wished he could.<\/p>\n

He sighed. \u201cI\u2019ll talk to Demos after he helps Sergio, okay?\u201d It wasn\u2019t a yes, wasn\u2019t a no. But it was the best he could offer at this point.<\/p>\n

After a while, Seamus nodded against his shoulder. \u201cAll right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ferris couldn\u2019t shake the thought\u2014the dull stare Seamus had carried, the distance in his voice. Tonight had affected him in ways that would follow him to his deathbed. This shouldn\u2019t have happened. Ferris shouldn\u2019t have tried to save the day, to get him this job. He should have known\u2014<\/p>\n

He let out a soft breath, then pulled back to give his friend a weak smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on,\u201d Ferris said. \u201cLet\u2019s go home.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Eyugho Ferris didn\u2019t love this wine bar, or any wine bar really. But he did love Demos, and this was the spot Demos had chosen for this date. Well, Ferris was pretty sure it was a date. Venn diagrams and column charts had been running through his head in a vain attempt to calculate […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-694","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fishbones-book-02"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4oWx8-bc","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/694","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=694"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/694\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":702,"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/694\/revisions\/702"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=694"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=694"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=694"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}