CRYPTO: Infidelity (Book 1)

CHAPTER 84: GOODBYE

The next day, I invited Rockie to have lunch with me so we could talk it over. We went to a small restaurant that served sub sandwiches. I really wanted the conversation to go over well.

"You're not actually considering his offer, are you?" Rockie asked me after I explained Victor's proposition.

"Well, maybe it would be best if I did," I said. "Then you could find a replacement for me, someone who is more available."

"I don't want to replace you. You just became an Honored member."

"Yeah, but let's be realistic. I'm just too busy to be going on all your missions and you only have three other gangsters who have to make up for me not being there."

"I could hire another if we were having trouble," he said.

"Yeah, but if I leave, you won't have to try to work around my schedule."

"Sounds like you've already made up your mind on the matter."

"It's a hard decision for me. I was just wondering if you had any advice"

"My advice is that you stay with me."

"Rockie-"

"How much did he offer to pay you?"

"He didn't say."

"Geez, Crypto. What happened to loyalty? I was the one who saw potential in you from the beginning. I took you under my wing."

"And I'm grateful for that, but I think it's time for me to move on."

"Well... Okay. I'm not gonna stand in your way if that's what you really wanna do."

"Thanks, Rockie," I said. I noticed his eyes were watering. "Are you... crying?"

"Yeah, it's nothing," Rockie said, rubbing his eyes. "It's just, saying goodbye brings up bad memories."

"Oh. You wanna talk about it?"

"No. I'd rather not dwell on it. It's best to leave the past in the past and keep moving forward to the future. That's all this is. We're just heading to a future... in different directions."

"Yeah. And this isn't really goodbye. We'll still see each other around."

"Yeah," Rockie said. "We could still hang out... if you're ever available."

"I'll try to make time," I said.

"Welp," Rockie said, standing up.

I stood up as well since we had already finished our food.

Rockie put his paw out. "I'm gonna miss you, kid."

I took his paw and he pulled me into a chest bump, which was the equivalent of a bro hug.

"I'm not a kid, by the way," I told him as he turned to leave.

"You'll always be a kid in my mind!" he said, smiling as he backed out of the door.

Maybe Rockie wasn't a sociopath after all. I thought. I didn't expect him to actually care about me like that. I felt kinda bad that I didn't feel the same about him.