Page 32 of The Deviation
“Over here.”
I follow the voice to the right, where Ned lifts a hand in greeting from behind the bar. He’s wearing a crisp white dress shirt, the sleeves folded to reveal strong forearms. The thick brown hair I’ve seen in various forms of disarray is neatly combed and tucked back behind his ears. He’s no less handsome for being so precisely groomed, but it’s more than his outward appearance that takes me by surprise. He appears… diminished somehow, like the rock god I witnessed taking the crowd apart atAutumn Skies has zipped himself into a normie suit to blend in with the rest of us.
I approach him with a proffered hand. “Good afternoon, Ned. It’s good to see you again.” His shake is stiff and abrupt. His lips pressed into a thin line. He may have called this meeting, but he looks one careless word away from bolting. I cast about for a topic of conversation that isn’t a pitch. “You work here?”
He casts his gaze about the pub, giving a sharp nod. “It pays the bills. For now.” Those last two words, the way he glances back to me as he says them, make my breath catch. “I’m about to finish my shift. Join me for a beer?”
Anticipation sparks in my veins as I try to look casual in my response. “That would be great.”
“Grab a seat.” He gestures to the booths lining the far side of the room. “I’ll be with you in a sec.”
I choose the booth in the corner. It’s furthest from the other customers and the overhead television where a sports channel plays highlights of the week. I’d like to avoid interruptions at all costs.
Ned speaks briefly to a woman who’s also working behind the bar before grabbing a couple of glasses and filling them with one of the lagers they have on tap.
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I check for new messages. If Johnny knew Ned was going to contact me, I’m sure he would have given me a heads up, but I still haven’t heard from him. Part of me wanted to reach out, share the news. The rest of me refuses to do anything that has the potential to mess this up.
Two beers land on the table, and I look up as Ned slides into the booth opposite me. Putting my phone on silent, I shove it back in my pocket before raising my glass. “Cheers.” Ned responds in kind and we drink.
Our glasses are still touching down when we both start to speak.
“Ned, I want to—”
“First, let me—”
We stop short. There’s an awkward silence, a shared smirk, and then I gesture to him. “Please, you first.”
Ned digs absent hands into his hair, bringing back some of the mussed mess I’m used to. “I’d like to apologise for my behaviour last Friday. It was uncalled for.”
“No need.” I shake my head. “I understand you being wary of some stranger coming at you out of nowhere to promise the world.” I pause before venturing, “You’ve been promised the world before.”
His nod is slow and cautious. He doesn’t speak.
“Instead, you got fucked over.”
Ned swallows, his throat moving visibly. “You could say that.”
“Can I ask why you decided to take a chance on me?”
“I’m not taking a chance on anything yet.” The sharpness in his response is quick, reflexive. There’s no malice in it, but it reminds me to tread carefully. “We’re just talking.”
I nod in acknowledgment of his words. “My question still stands. What changed?”
He leans forwards, one hand lifting to the chain around his neck as he rests his elbows on the table. “Someone reminded me the past doesn’t have to repeat itself. I have the control here. It’s about time I used it.”
“Words from the wise?”
Ned chuckles. “He wouldn’t think so, but yeah. Not to mention the delivery was… convincing.”
His cheeks flush and I’m reminded of the blond spitfire who was with him at the festival. “Your boyfriend?”
He nods. “Toni.”
I grin, making a mental note never to get on the wrong side of the man, especially when it comes to Ned. I might get my eyes clawed out.
“Well, I for one am glad to have this chance to discuss what my company can do for Fifth Circle.” It seems as good as any time to start my spiel. “Rush has been in operation for nearly two decades. We have connections all over the world—”
“I already know everything I need to about Rush,” Ned interrupts. “I have my own connections, from the client side of the table. I know your CEO is legit and she runs a decent company, though her managers aren’t always as client friendly as she claims.” Ned’s heard tales about the heavy hand of Arthur, no doubt. “I also know you aren’t quite the manager you’ve made yourself out to be. At least not yet.”