INSTA-Daddy

54

[TOM]

"No Pace," I never realized I was basically shouting already until I noticed the other thugs inside the bar pointed their curious glances at me.

There I was, enjoying my first ever game night with Gabby when Pace suddenly called me up.

"Can we talk? Meet me at Blue Lagoon ASAP. I'll wait," -- this were his exact words.

I thought about ditching him instead. Getting Gabby to play Resident Evil with me was extremely hard, and when she finally agreed to, Pace just had to interrupt us.

Come to think of it, I got the feeling that the only reason Gabby forced me to go see him was because it was her only chance to escape her situation.

What a clever girl.

"What? You can't say no to this," Pace growled huskily. His fist was clenched on top of our table.

I puffed in my cigarette before responding. "Please. I'm trying to change myself. I'm trying to be a better man."

Pace smirked sarcastically. "I know that. And I know it's because of her. It's exactly the same with Nina. And we both know what happened next!"

As if a lightning struck something inside of me at the mention of her name. Nina. It suddenly pissed me off.

Unconsciously, my hand dived in towards Pace's shirt and I clutched it with clenched fists. My eyes were firing with anger as I look at Pace. Right this instant, he didn't look pleasing for my sight.

"Hold your horses man," he said, this time more calmer than earlier. My mind calmed down and I let go of his shirt.

"I-- sorry," I cleared my throat.

"Look man. I'm sorry. I didn't want to say her name but it... It sort of slipped," he muttered sympathetically.

I didn't say anything in response. I puffed in my cigarette one more time with eyes staring into blank space.

The noise from the bar was getting louder because of the various rumbles from other drunkards. It was mixing with the music being played. It was making my head hurt.

"The point is, you won't be able to fully be a better man as long as he's still running free," he kept on.

I looked at him sternly, then sighed. What's the point of showing any reaction. I'm getting tired of this shit. I just want to live peacefully with Gabby and with our baby. Is that too much to ask?

"Brandon's out of prison man. He called me and threatened Rose," Pace's voice was croaking. It sounded like he was holding back his tears.

Normally, I would be very surprised upon hearing that news. But somehow, it didn't. All there was was rage.

Brandon was the reason why Nina died. He killed her. He won. He finally had his revenge for me killing his brother. In return, he made my life a fucking misery.

And now he's back. Why? What else does he want?

Pace voice volumed down. He was basically whispering to me already. "He's out to get me. He's out to get you too,"

My jaw stiffened in furiousness. My fists wanted to punch something so badly. Good thing my consciousness is still under control, or else both my fists would punch random anyones in here.

"We need to get rid of him. I can't do this without you man. It's now or never," Pace's voice was literally begging.

I sighed. "How about we do this. Let's ignore him and report him to the police instead."