Renegade: The Alliance Chronicles, Book Six

Chapter 19

Asher

"True friends forgive each other's less-than-perfect actions."

—from Sessions with Abigail Ramirez-Lee, Psy.D., P.C.

When I leave Dr. Lee's, I'm clueless. The last place I want to go is home and risk running into Steve. There is one other person who might understand me, outside of Rihana, and wouldn't pass judgment.

I call Tru and then crank up the engine. Minutes later, I'm on her doorstep. "That was fast. Come on in."

"Thanks." I glance around the room. "Is Zared around?"

"No. You said you wanted to speak to me alone. Is this a drinking visit?"

Grinning, I ask, "Got any beer?"

"Sit down. I'll grab a bottle. Hungry?"

"The beer is fine."

Seconds pass, and then Tru enters the living room with an open bottle. I guzzle down half the cold brew before I'm ready to speak. "Like what I'm about to say is strictly between us. You can't tell anyone, especially Zared."

She kicks off her shoes and folds her legs beneath her. "This sounds a little ominous. Why me?"

"Because I think you won't judge me. Plus, you're someone who values the truth."

"We all value the truth, Asher. Very few people are comfortable with secrets and lies."

Only Tru would believe goodness still rests with mankind.

"My secret, though, might make you think differently about me."

Tru reaches over and rubs my arm. "Hey, you told us about Rihana and being a double agent. Zared and I are still here."

"Yeah, but Z didn't handle the facts so well." To be honest, our friendship almost ended.

She smiles. "Not the point. I promise to hear you out and not rush to judgment."

That would do.

Taking a deep breath, I begin, "You asked why I'm, like, so close to Mark. I told you we used to hang out together. Then, when I lost Shiloh and my parents, we got a little closer. Things changed after the Virus killed the rest of my family.

"Nothing mattered to me after Grandma Bernice delivered the news. Like, I sealed myself up in my room. Frankly, I failed. My brother asked me to take care of his family, and I didn't do everything I could to protect them."

"Asher, you weren't responsible for the Virus," Tru says.

"I didn't see it that way. Grandma couldn't get me to eat or drink anything. I wanted God to take me away, so I didn't have to live with my mistake."

Tru's mouth twists. "Asher, how does this concern Mark?"

I blow air through my cheeks and tell her about a night that still haunts me. The memory is so vivid...

At some point, Mark came over, and Grandma let him into my room.

"Hey, man," Mark said.

The mattress dipped, and his warmth caressed me. Then the smoky smell of whiskey hit me. Mark knew what I needed. He didn't say another word. Just nudged my side and passed the bottle. We didn't stop drinking until we finished the alcohol.

Hours later, I awakened from my stupor. The moon shone through my window, and the house was quiet. Mark, lying on his side, stared down at me.