BLACK ROSE

Nothing

Alex. 

She widens her eyes at me, and pure horror reflects in them. Her lips gently part and I just awkwardly smile at her.

It's ten in the morning, way too early for me to be receiving a long parental speech about how I fucked up.

Though no words come out of her throat, she opens the door wide enough for me to walk inside. Ace's already crashed here, connecting his phone with the speakers and woken up the neighbours with his specific choice of music.

I take off my shoes and walk into the living room, expecting to find Ace sprawled on the couch like usual. Or for Channel to start asking me questions.

Neither of those scenarios come true. Ace's not even in the room and Channel is strangely quiet, though the horror still hasn't left her eyes. Instead I'm surprised to see Calhoun sitting on the couch.

"Where the fuck were you, Alex? Care to explain why I got a call from Summer to keep an eye on you?"

He comes back into the room, eyes glued to his phone.

"I don't think you need to keep an eye on him anymore," he says coldly. Ace stops midtrack, eyes flashing to my face. There's no horror across his face, there's no signs of surprise. He just rolls his eyes.

"Really? Again?"

I don't answer him, just sit down next to Cal on the couch. What could I possibly tell him? There's no need for me to answer.

"You shouldn't be saying anything, Ace," Channel says. "It's usually you in that state."

There's a minute of silence and I know Ace wants to snap something back. He's holding himself back, mentally counting to ten.

"That's not to discuss now," Calhoun speaks up. "You have some explanation to do, Alex."

Maybe one of the biggest mistakes I've ever made was to get close with both of my bosses. Two dangerous men that both grew to like me and protect me. Maybe that was the second I dug my first grave, but I'd do it all over again.

I nod, and Channel brings me a cup of hot tea. Always welcoming people with a cup of tea, no matter what time of day it is.

"What was the text supposed to mean?" Ace pushes again.

One thing was getting myself involved with Calhoun, another thing was getting myself involved with AJ. I never intended on bringing Ace along, but I needed someone to know if shit went really bad. I needed to have someone to rely on and know the truth if .... If I'd get myself in a deadly situation.

"To keep an eye on me?" I annoy him purposely. All beaten up, I'm still enjoying annoying him a little too much. "There's no double meaning behind it."

"Why did she contact Ace?" Calhoun has suddenly switched to his professional mode. I don't even want to imagine what he'd do if I didn't make it out alive. The guilt that'd trap him..... But he wouldn't be the one to blame.

"Because I called it quits with AJ," I say. "Well, technically her. AJ's not in the city, so I signed the papers with her."

Channel looks at me, the horror in her eyes gone. I still remember the day she met Summer. Bringing Ace into this mess never bothered me as much as dragging Channel along. He's been involved as long as me, seen the same shit go down as me. Found himself in the same situation. And even though Channel has pretty much lived a similar life, she's always kept a distance. So when we stumbled upon Summer in the park one summer day, I instinctively told her to not ask any questions. It was no use; she already knew pretty much everything. I was worried Channel would create her own opinions of Summer, but to my own surprise they got along well from the very start.