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TEXT CHAT

Cin: Well?! How did it go?

Star: It went okay. He was living on the streets for a while, Cin.

Cin: Jesus H. Christ! What the fuck did he do that for?

Star: Said he went off his meds.

Cin: So he went and lived on the streets? I have a goddamn apartment in the city. He could have lived there.

Star: You know how men are.

Cin: Moronic?

Star: Lol. Yeah.

Cin: Don’t make it seem like you understand his logic.

Star: I don’t. I gave him hell. But you can’t change what’s already done.

Cin: Is he still cute?

*Star sends picture*

Star: Sneaked this when he grabbed a hot dog.

Cin: Wow. He’s hotter.

Star: Lol. Thought you’d think that.

* Star sends picture *

Cin: Why didn’t you lead with that one? My God, that ASS!!!

Star: Tell me you didn’t wolf whistle!

Cin: Haha, you know me too well.

Star: Even I have to admit he has a fine ass. Shame he IS an ass.

Cin: He just needs me to whip him into shape.

Star: LOL. Is that what he needs?

Cin: ;)

Cin: Did he ask about me?

Star: He did.

Cin: And Creed?

Star: Nuh huh. You need to speak with him yourself.

Cin: Give me his number and I will. I’ve tried to get in touch with him before but I could never find him.

Cin: Man, I need to tap that ass.

Star: You’re leaving upstate New York soon, right?

Cin: Yeah, probably heading to New Mexico if you don’t need me.

Star: Got a job?

Cin: Two, actually. Man and wife. Haha. It’d be hilarious if it wasn’t reality.

Star: There’s a story.

Cin: They’re getting divorced. She wants his watches; he wants her shoes—not sure why he wants the shoes. I didn’t ask—so instead of giving each other what they want, they’re gonna splatter each other’s brains out and I’m not averse to taking their money which is currently sitting pretty in escrow.

Star: Ahh, the Ledger. Your best friend.

Cin: Made by one of yours.

Star: Yup. Not sure if Hunter considers me a friend anymore though. He’s still pissed at me. Haven’t heard from him in months.

Cin: What did you do again?

Star: Kinda helped his grandfather die.

Cin: Yeah, people get real weird about shit like that.

Star: IKR? I guess I get it. Even if it was his grandfather’s idea.

Cin: This is why snipers should only be friends with snipers.

Star: Not a bad idea. You know Conor’s brother? Eoghan? He has PTSD issues.

Cin: Him, you, me, and Chadwick lol.

Star: Yeah. Wanna talk about it?

Cin: Talk? Are you being serious?

Star: Deadly.

Cin: What kind of talk?

Star: I dunno. Like, if you’ve had a bad day or something…

Cin: You want me to share?

Star: Yeah.

Cin: Why?

Star: I dunno. He doesn’t seem to be doing great.

Cin: So, this is for him?

Star: It is, but what with him and Chadwick, it got me to thinking that we probably need it too.

Cin: Hmm.

Star: Not like we can talk to shrinks, right?

Cin: No.

Star: I was thinking a poker game or something.

Cin: I’m more interested. What are the stakes?

Star: God knows. Only just thought of it.

* Cin adds Troy to the chat *

Troy: Sup?

Cin: You still play poker, right?

Troy: Duh.

Star: How’s Lyra?

Troy: Hates her new school. But she saw Katina in the library and that made her feel better.

Star: Why?

Troy: Dunno. Guess she figures she’s not alone.

Cin: Still can’t believe how swaaanky your new digs are.

Troy: Me neither. Didn’t ask for them but won’t say no. Not when Lyra’s safer here.

Cin: Best way. Are you settling in?

Troy: I don’t like being so high up, but what can you do?

Star: You got an emergency route out of there planned?

Troy: Two. You?

Star: Three. But one involves a helicopter.

Troy: Knowing Conor, he’s crazy enough about you to have one stationed up there at all times if it’ll reassure you.

Cin: She’s not wrong.

Star: If I promised to teach him how to fly it, then he’d probably be down…

Troy: Fucker’s rich enough. Get him spending those dollars.

Star: He isn’t into FinDom lol.

Troy: Nah, him and that glittery jizz are just a sap for you. Anyway, why have you hit me up? Talking to either of you wasn’t on my list of things to do today.

Cin: You’re as friendly as always.

Star: You have trauma issues, Troy. I’m thinking of starting a poker game with ex-servicemen and women. Do you want in?

Troy: What are the stakes?

Cin: Good sign that you’re not arguing about having trauma issues. *coughs* Or that you’re fucked in the head.

Cin: How much do you want to lose?

Troy: Fuck off. I’m a much better player than you.

Star: She’s good, Troy. Improved since the last time you played her.

Troy: How do you know?

Cin: We play online sometimes.

Troy: You two are fucking weirdos. How about two k?

Cin: That’s all?

Troy: Some of us have kids.

Cin: Don’t make it seem like you don’t have money. That security system in your house was worth a small fortune.

Troy: Yeah, and it’s not as if it’s an investment that’ll accrue interest. That was a quarter-million dollars I’ll never get back.

Star: I’m fine with 2k. Makes it enough to be interesting.

Troy: Okay, I’m down. Gimme the particulars nearer the time and I’ll make it happen.

Cin: Cool. I’d better get going. Got shit to do, people to kill.

Star: *snorts*

Troy: Speak later.

Star: Happy snipering.