Chapter 50
Dane returned home and began his usual routine. After changing the cat’s litter and water, he gave it a treat. Darling, as usual, clumsily groomed itself while Dane made his way to the bathroom.
After taking a shower and spending some leisurely time with the cat, Dane finished a can of beer and stood up to grab another one from the fridge. As he reached for a new can, the sudden ringing of his phone startled him. He hesitated for a moment before considering whether to answer it or not. Checking the time, it was nearly midnight. A call at this hour wasn’t exactly a good omen.
The ringtone continued to sound as he made his way toward it. He picked up the phone from the table and furrowed his brow when he saw the caller's number. What the hell was this guy calling about?
"What’s up? At this hour?"
As he answered the phone and naturally set the cat down, an all-too-familiar voice came from the other side.
"Hey, Dane. How’s it going? Are you working?"
The bright voice belonged to Joshua Bailey. He had once served in the same unit as Dane, and by chance, had saved his life. There were other times when they had hung out together, but their relationship was never one that allowed for full trust. Joshua was married with three kids, something Dane could never even imagine for himself. When Joshua had his first child, he suddenly became responsible and stopped going out at night, but for someone like Dane, who had always seen Joshua as a fellow carefree soul, it was hard to believe. That same Joshua Bailey now had three kids.
And, astonishingly, he had never once looked elsewhere.
"I got off work. What’s going on?"
As always, Dane asked immediately, and Joshua responded with a smile in his voice.
"Are you busy these days? You sound a bit tired."
Well, of course. The annoying bastard was right in front of me.