The Kings of National City

A Meeting

"I fucking had him." Chris gloated to Nick.

"Bet Elmer would like to know about Reapers moving in on our spots." Nick made a hint.

"You're right." Chris was the right-hand man but Nick was most of the brains for Chris' great ideas. Chris went off to call him and talk about what to do next. I reached into my pocket, pulled out all my baggies, and tossed them on the counter.

"Did you sell any?" Nick looked surprised.

"Tonight wasn't the best night." I shrugged. I played stupid because I didn't want him to know I didn't even try. I would have to do better at the next party.

"Elmer is pissed. He wants a meeting." Chris came back to the island.

"Now?" Nick winced a little.

"Yeah, and you should probably see Percocet Polly." Nick looked to be in thought for a minute.

"Let me see it." I tried lifting his shirt.

"I'm fine but I could use something for the pain. Let's go." Nick stood up. I could tell that simple motion caused him a lot more pain than he should have for a flesh wound. We piled back in the car. I drove us to Elmer's just a few blocks away. Chris walked in casually without knocking.

"Woah, security is higher than usual." He joked looking at one of the many guns Elmer owned pointed in his face.

"Sorry man. Things aren't looking great." He lowered the gun and walked to his usual chair. "Have a seat." He nodded in our direction.

"Is Polly here?" Nick asked.

"In the back." Nick left to get looked at. I sat down with Chris.

"Who are we waiting on?" Chris asked.

"Just a few other people." We waited for a while until we heard car doors. Elmer's security goons posted up by the door on edge. In walked Nate and Madi. They were new to the crew but still good at what they did. Elmer trusted them so in return we were expected to.

"I called a meeting because Chris told me Reapers are moving on our turf. They want to play tough so I think it's time we get rough." He started handing out guns to us. "These are not a joke. Use it if you have to and if you do bring it back here to get scrubbed." Nick was still in the back so he was missing all of this. "Keep an eye out. Max said they were following him the other day. Switch up your routines. Stay on your toes. Don't get caught tripping."

"You got it, boss," Nate spoke up. 

Madi refused the gun. "I'll be fine. I don't want this; it's too bulky." I think she was like a black belt or something so she probably was fine without it.

"Any questions?" Elmer left room for discussion. Even though he was the man in charge he still gave us room for input.

"What did I miss?" Nick came sauntering into the middle of the meeting.

"I'll fill him in." We all chuckled at Nick's timing. The four of us were friends before all of this so the growing tension from dangerous situations never ruined our Chemistry. Chris was hanging out with Elmer, while I explained the meeting's purpose to Nick.

"I wonder if we should be worried." I shrugged. "Reapers aren't a joke Matt. They might actually try and come after us."

"Elmer wouldn't let anything bad happen to us." There was so much truth in that. He looked at us like little brothers. Elmer always stood by family.

"We just need to be careful." Nick popped a pill in his mouth.

"How is your G-S-W?" I analyzed his face closely looking for a tell. I knew he was lying before he even spoke, mostly because he needed Percocet Polly's help with the pain. She was an ex-EMT. How she got involved in all of this; I would never know.

"It's fine. I just need to take it easy for a while." I knew Nick wouldn't rest though. Not with the way he was stressing The Reapers being around.

"Meeting's over." Elmer dismissed everyone. "Chris." He nodded in his direction and Chris immediately followed the call. I watched as they whispered back and forth. It wasn't until they both looked directly at me simultaneously that I felt a huge pit in my stomach. Whatever they were talking about had to do with me and I didn't like that. I also didn't like how it was a secret to me.

"Ready to go?" Chris came over and acted like that exchange didn't happen.

"Yeah." I played oblivious. We all got in the car and drove in the same deafening silence as we did on the way there. Once we were home I flopped onto my crappy floor mattress and stared at the ceiling. There were rust-colored water spots in certain corners. My mind flickered to her. Her eyes were brown. This whole time I imagined them as a beautiful green or a pale blue, not brown. She looked different with make-up. Not bad, just different. I can't believe I didn't get her name. My one chance to talk to her and I didn't get her name. In my defense Chris ruined it. He ruins everything for Nick and I.

He gets so caught up with being the best at everything that sometimes, he gets in the way. I rubbed my face in frustration. Even though it was Chris' fight that ruined our conversation I know I probably would have ruined it myself had it gone any further. I wonder if she realized I was heading to the fight. Or if she saw me leave with Chris after the fight. I wonder what she thought of me. Did I leave any type of impression? Oh no! What if I did? If I go to the coffee shop she'll recognize me now. Fuck. I guess Chris didn't ruin it this time. Instead, I fucked up.