Page 29 of Broken Halos
“He’s back too quickly for anything good to have happened. Glassy eyes, glossy lips,” Adam said, his eyes searching my face, “I’d say he stole a kiss.”
“Excellent deduction, Watson,” Tyler said in a proper British accent. “Now, the real question is: Did Ollie return to the table of his own accord, or did his heart’s desire give him a gentle shove?”
“Leave him alone, guys,” Keeton said, rolling his eyes. “Have you guys ever considered spending more time focusing on your own love lives, or lack thereof, instead of Ollie’s?”
Brent stiffened beside Keeton and looked down at his soft drink. I had noticed when they arrived that the familiarity they’d been exhibiting lately was missing. As their sponsor, I was always concerned about budding relationships between members because it could spell disaster and cause relapses. While it was good to be surrounded with people who understood your addiction and the demons you fought, there was still a risk it could cause major setbacks if it blew up in your face. Brent had always seemed so damned level-headed beneath his backward ball cap, but I knew all too well what good actors we addicts could be when it suited us. Keeton, on the other hand, seemed more volatile with emotions simmering much closer to the surface. All of us teased and taunted one another, but there was a rougher edge to Keeton’s barbs than there was the rest of ours. I’d hate for Brent to find himself cut and bleeding after getting tangled up in Keeton’s barbwire. I checked myself because I wasn’t being fair. I had no idea what Brent’s easygoing nature hid and had no way to know he wasn’t the one being the ass and causing Keeton to regress back to the surlier man who first showed up at meetings.
I debated whether I should speak to them individually to make sure their heads were in the right place but worried it would cause unnecessary awkwardness between us. As much as I loved these men with all my heart, I should never have allowed myself to get so close to them. It skewed my objectivity and had me second-guessing my motives and decisions which could put their sobriety at risk. Selfishly, I couldn’t imagine my life without their friendship and refused to believe I couldn’t be both friend and mentor. Hadn’t Pastor Randall been both to me? Sure, there were some tough love moments between us, but I never doubted his motives. I would remember that if the time came when I believed a serious conversation with Brent and Keeton was warranted.
“Thank you, Keeton,” I said, offering him a kind smile. “I’m glad to see that one of you respects my privacy at least.”
“We’re just teasing you, Ollie,” Adam said. “You know we’re pulling for you and Archie, right? Hell, the big sap over there,” he gestured to Andy, “has made us all want to find an epic love.”
We all looked over to Andy, but his eyes were locked on the stage and he had a faraway expression on his face. We each took turns saying his name, but he didn’t acknowledge any of us until I nudged him with my elbow.
“What? Huh?”
“What’s wrong with you, man?” Brent asked. “You’re shaking like a leaf over there. I’ve never seen you looking so nervous.”
“Are you in the doghouse?” Keeton asked. “I know it’s not fair, but there’s a lot of pressure on you and Milo to prove to us happiness really is a possibility.”
“It’s all in how you look at things, kid,” Tyler told him. “Whatever you put out into the universe comes back to you. If you have positivity and happiness, then that’s what you need to exude.”
“Exude?” Keeton asked, rolling his eyes. “I used to be a happy-go-lucky person, and I still ended up with shit kicked in my face.”
“Sounds like life to me,” Brent said softly. “It’s how you deal with your shit that matters.”
“So, I just need to swallow a spoonful of sugar to help swallow the medicine life tries to cram down my throat, huh?” Keeton asked.
“You’re quoting Mary Poppins?” I asked, leaning forward.
“I have a little sister,” Keeton replied, looking surlier than he had a few minutes before. I hadn’t meant to embarrass him; I was just shocked. I would’ve expected him to make a crude reference like life bending him over without using lube or something.
“How’s your gag reflex?” Adam asked.
“Adam,” I admonished. “You went too far.”
“Hey, I’m just trying to help the kid out, Ollie. He’s talking about life cramming things down his throat. I was just going to offer suggestions that might help him more than a spoonful of sugar.”
“Brent didn’t have any issues with my gag reflex, did you?” Keeton asked the red-faced man sitting beside him. Brent swallowed hard but didn’t speak. Keeton shoved back from the table and said, “I’m out of here.”
Brent stood up so fast his chair tipped over. “Don’t go, Kee,” he urged, snagging Keeton’s forearm before he could walk away. “Please.”
Keeton looked at Brent, and for a few seconds, he let down his shield to show the raw emotions he felt. It was so intense that Brent gasped, but he didn’t release Keeton’s arm. The shields locked back in place, giving Keeton his mask of indifference once more. “Fine.”
Adam looked between the two guys. “I didn’t mean to start an argument or cause any trouble. I apologize, Keeton.”
The younger man studied Adam’s face to see if he was being genuine. He must’ve liked what he saw because he nodded and sat back down. Brent studied Keeton for a few seconds before he returned to his seat. He leaned over and said something in Keeton’s ear that must’ve mollified him because a smirk replaced his scowl.
“Aww,” Tyler teased. “You’re so cute.”
“Don’t get the wrong idea, Hannah Montana,” Keeton groused, “we’re only plotting our revenge on Adam.”
“Hey,” Adam said, throwing up his hands, “I’m happy to do my part to bring people together.”
“Guys,” Andy said suddenly. I looked over at him and saw he was pale as a ghost.
“Are you sick?” I asked.