Page 40 of Ace of Spades

Clearly they have some rift that’s torn them apart.

"What do you mean?" I press.

Before he's able to answer, I see the topic of our conversation walking up to the bar. He looks around the space, casually and when his eyes meet mine—his body tenses.

"Oh, boy," I say, looking past Theo.

He looks over his shoulder to see his father coming toward us and reaches for the water in front of him, gulping it down as Levi approaches.

Theo’s eyes lock with mine in a wordless exchange. He doesn't say anything but I see the battle playing out behind his eyes.

"Dad." Theo says casually. "Can I help you with something?"

"Is this what it's going to take to get a response out of you? Running into you around town?"

"Good to see you too."

"I need that bike back, Theo."

He turns to face him head on.

"And I told you, I'd get it. I just need time."

"Is everything okay, here?" I ask.

"Everything's fine." They both say in unison.

Like father, like son… I guess.

Theo sighs, the muscles on his arm coiling as if he's trying to hold himself back.

"I need a week."

"You have three days."

"I won't have it in three days," he says. "I need a week."

"Theo,I swear to God, I'm done covering for you. This is it. No more chances."

Theo shakes his head, fingers drumming on the now empty glass of water in his hands.

"Says the man who needed three, four and ten chances. Real nice, Dad. I appreciate the grace."

Levi’s glare lands on me to see how I register his son’s comment. I decide not to react, and look down at my phone instead.

"This isn’t the same thing and you know it.”

This time I look up and our eyes meet. He softens, just the slightest.

“One week,” he says without another word.

Levi storms off.

"You two have such an endearing dynamic," I say, dripping in sarcasm. "What happened?"

Theo shrugs.

The stress in his shoulders slowly relaxing now that his father is gone.

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