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Jon stared into the black depth of the computer screen. He was glad to be back at work, but it had taken its toll. Feeling drained, he turned around in his chair and sighed, alone for the first time since the accident. Levi was at the bar. Gus was in Galveston. He had spent the last week praying for a moment of peace and solitude. He should have been thankful. Instead, he was terrified.

He considered going to visit Levi at work. He never did that during the week. Normally, that was his time to recharge, but the silence was unsettling. He still couldn’t remember the accident. He remembered leaving the park, but nothing after until he woke in the hospital. While he believed everyone who told him what happened, that didn’t stop him from imagining the accident was still his fault every time he closed his eyes and prayed to remember.

Jon trudged to the kitchen and poured a glass of water, and looked out the window into the backyard. Staring at the grill, he smiled. Happy memories were a wonderful distraction. Gus had cooked on the grill before he headed home. He retrieved a plate of leftovers from the refrigerator. While he wasn’t even hungry, he just needed something to keep him occupied, and he thought that eating might give him time to think of something.

He sat down at the table and took a bite of potatoes. The doorbell chimed.

“Who the hell?” He stood. The doorbell rang again.

“I’m coming. Gimme a damn minute.”

The doorbell chimed a third time, and Jon was happy he didn’t know where the guns were stored. He stopped and took a deep breath before looking through the peephole.

“James! You asshole. You know I’m still moving slow.” He opened the door. James smiled.

“How are you feeling? I figured I’d drop by and check to see how you were doing.”

Jon raised an eyebrow. “Did Levi send you?”

“No sir. He wouldn’t…”

Jon interrupted. “Bullshit. He would, and you are a shitty liar.”

“Ok. Yeah, he sent me, but I thought about checking on you before he said anything. Can I come in?”

Jon stepped to the side and motioned him in. “I was just sitting down for an early supper. You want anything?”

“I’m not hungry, but I’ll take a beer, if you don’t mind.”

“Help yourself.” Jon sat at the table. “So, you were just thinking about coming to check on me before Levi asked you to?”

“I was. I wanted to ask you about Alicia and what happened that night. Levi has been pretty tight-lipped about it. Y’all left right after you came into the bar, or I would’ve asked you then.” He dropped his head. “I should probably apologize. I shouldn’t have said anything to her.”

Jon smiled. “No. You don’t owe me an apology. I should thank you.”

“Thank me? What happened?”

Jon laughed. He told James every detail of the conversation and the call he made to his grandfather.

“So, he’s cool with everything?”

“Yeah. I don’t know if that’s what she was implying or if something else was going on, but it prompted me to call. Something in her tone made me wonder if she may come around. If she does, I’m sure you might have had something to do with that. And my grandfather is going to have a word with my parents. So, who knows what may happen?”

James blushed. “I don’t know that I had anything to do with her coming around… if she is.”

“She answered your call, didn’t she? I don’t think she’s over you.”

“Well, she’s shit out of luck. I’m with Jeff now.” He laughed.

“What’s so funny about that?”

“In the past, I wouldn’t be so committed and would try to play both fields at once. I won’t do that to Jeff. Hell, I wouldn’t do that to her either. Even after what she did.”

“I know. You may have been a dog in the past, but you seem like a decent dude now. It’s a good thing you’ve changed, though. I’d hate to kick your ass for trying to come between me and Levi.”

“That would suck. I’ve always been more of a lover than a fighter.”

Jon laughed. “That tone makes me wonder if I need to work out more.”

“I’m not going to comment on that. All I’m going to say is that you don’t have to worry about me.”

“I know. Just messing with you, even though I am considering it anyway. I’m still stiff and sore from the accident. Maybe it’ll help.”

“It might.”

Jon finished the last bite of his meal. He sat back in his chair. “I’m glad you came by. I might need your help with something. How good are you at keeping secrets?”