Page 24 of Hustle

Before he can finish, a booming voice fills the air as a form arrives next to us. The lead singer, who is an old friend, came over to say hello. I leap up, hug him, and introduce him to Seamus, who looks aloof again, like he’s taking this guy’s measure.

I want to laugh, because he’s more like a grandpa than anything, but let Seamus get a little jealous or whatever’s happening. The singer quickly drifts away to talk to other patrons, but the magic’s broken.

Sitting back down, I reach into my bag and pull out the Tarot deck I have with me. I shuffle the cards and give Seamus my biggest smile. “What do you say, Doyle? Pull a few cards.”

He looks dubious, when I add, “Maybe it’ll help you have a little faith.”

Sticking out his chin, he nods.

“Okay. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

7

Seamus

The bar stinks like beer and feet, and the sound system is blaring too loudly while the band’s on break. But all I can do is look at Evi.

Maybe it’s the liquor. Maybe it’s the music. Or maybe it’s just the woman.

All I wanted when I came here was to be alone.

Around other people, but ones who didn’t want me to do anything or answer questions or solve their problems. The whole anonymous in a crowd thing. Sometimes it’s soothing.

When she walked in, I thought about slipping out the back. But then I sat rooted to my chair, thinking about buying her a drink.

I hate the indecision I feel around her, almost as much as I hate her magnetic pull. I feel like the Earth orbiting the sun when I’m with her.

I’m used to being the sun.

Now she’s going to read my damn fortune. My eyes go to the elaborate tattoo on her arm. It’s a Tarot card, although I’m not totally sure which one. It’s the same as the design as her logo, so it’s probably an Empress. I make a note to look this up later.

“What do you want to know?”

My mouth goes dry again, and I feel the pressure of her steady gray gaze. Damnit.

She smirks at my indecision. “Let’s do it this way. Pull three cards and put them face down.”

I do.

“How many specific questions do you have?”

I consider. “Two?”

She indicates an open space on the table. “Pull two and put them here, face down.”

I do what she says.

Her fingers flip over the first card, and her mouth turns down when she sees it.

“Ten of Wands. This is the past. The card basically means that you’re carrying heavy burdens.”

No shit.

“But it also suggests that maybe you pick up some responsibilities that aren’t yours. Have you ever thought that if you put down some of those things, that other people will pick them up?”

The directness of that makes me a little uncomfortable, and I flash on my father’s tired, concerned face as he says, “Seamus, my boy. You need to let some of these things go. You can’t control everything. You can’t anticipate every outcome.”

The hell I can’t.

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