Page 59 of Embriagado

Not about to tell him I’d just dreamed about my psycho boss choking me, I said, “Couldn’t sleep.”

He hummed in response and filled the same mug I’d left on the sink.

Watching him as he did reminded me once again why I kept up with this shit to begin with. If not for Nacio, I wouldn’t give a second thought about going back to prison. But knowing I had to fight so that he’d have a better future, I’d swallow whatever Ariyan tossed at me.

“Hey.”

“What is it?” he asked, turning to look at me with that sleepy expression.

Putting a hand on his shoulder, I pulled him close. “You’re not getting into trouble, are you?”

A juvenile smile spread on his lips. “You bet.”

I planted a kiss on the top of his head, only for him to complain I’d make him spill the water. Getting the message, I let him go.

“Aren’t you going back to bed?” he asked, and I shook my head.

“Think I’ll go for a run.”

“For real? It’s like, three in the fuckin’ morning.”

I nodded when he yawned.

“Whatever, just don’t get lost or something.”

After my brother went back to his room, I got ready and left the house. The night air felt nice, refreshing, and just what I needed to clear my mind. Putting my headphones on, I started running, getting lost in the music and sport. Passing by the different streets, I got a glimpse of the nightlife I used to live. Booze, drugs, sex, violence, it was all there—the very things I knew to stay away from, yet never did, as I was never smart enough to listen to my own advice.

But it wasn’t always like that. I remembered being a happy kid until Mom died, and until he decided to give up on us. On himself. Without noticing, my legs carried me to the old gym, the one he’d once owned. With the music still playing in my headphones, I paused in front of the now closed door and stared at it. Growing up, my dad was my hero. Now, he was a drunk buried six feet under. A drunk who died like the biggest loser on Earth, in his own piss and blood while I was⁠—

Catching movement in the corner of my eye, I turned aside. Seeing nothing, I held still for a second before I took my headphones off and stepped closer, focusing on the end of the alley. My heart rate increased as I slowly approached, fists already clenched together and ready to fight, when a stray cat jumped from between the trash cans.

Shit.

Watching it running away and disappearing into the night, I sighed and brushed a hand over my sweaty face. I was getting paranoid over nothing, first imagining motorcycle sounds and now feeling like I was being watched. Somehow, I ended up feeling even worse than earlier, and in need of a shower, I started to run my way back home.

Reaching my street, I switched to walking and took out my headphones, shoving them into my pocket. The sun would rise soon, meaning I’d have to get ready for work. Just as the depressing thought crossed my mind, the sound of a car made me turn around. It stopped right before me, its headlights blinding me completely.

“The fuck?” I hissed, placing my hand in front of me and squinting to get a proper look. The blue and white lightbar on top of the car made me grit my teeth just as someone got out of the passenger side and shut the door behind them.

“Gabriel?” I said, slowly lowering my hand after he stepped toward me and I recognized his face.

“Hey.”

“Hey?” I frowned. “The hell are you doing here?”

“Cortez was just dropping me off after our night shift,” he said, pointing with his thumb at the other officer, who stayed in the car.

“Why?” I hissed, irritated. “You don’t live here anymore.”

Before he could answer me, the car rolled forward, stopping beside us as the other officer lowered the passenger window.

“You all good?” he asked when Gabriel bent down a bit to shoot him a friendly smile.

“Yeah. Thanks for the ride home. See you tomorrow.” He tapped the side of the car.

Before the other officer drove off, I noticed the son of a bitch scanned me.

Fucker.