Page 63 of The Chemist

“Sounds good, boss.” Zero nodded.

“You’re following too close,” Diesel noted, taking a bite into the monster sandwich he had purchased when they stopped to fill up at a gas station.

Zero glared at him from the corner of his eye. If he could smother a man with just a gaze, Diesel would be on his way up to those pearly gates this very minute.

Oh, who are you kidding? With the life you’ve led, you’d be on your way down to meet the man in black and all the monsters and party goblins he’s got waiting for you down there.

“I know how to follow a man.”

“You sure? Cus to me, it looks like you know how to make a guy aware that you are stalking his ass.”

Diesel was getting a kick out of busting Zero’s balls. The man was so uptight and taking this undercover, secret spy bullshit way too seriously. Christ! He was even wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap on his head.

That’s because it’s summer, jackass. The shades keep the sun out of his eyes, and the ball cap keeps the man from getting sunstroke.

In a car?

Yes, in a car. Were you always this stupid? No wonder your family fucked you over so easily, that nasty voice inside his head said.

“Shut up and eat your nasty gas station sandwich. Who even buys food at a gas station?” Zero’s eyes were hidden from Diesel’s view, but the horrified lips on his face said all he needed to know.

“Hungry men do. You going to question what every burly truck driver eats? The men have balls the size of your head. I think they know what they’re doing.”

Diesel took another chomp at his sandwich as they continued their drive, following their target. Twenty minutes later, their target pulled into the motel parking lot.

Zero parked their car across the lot, backing into the space so they had a perfect line of sight of the doctor.

They watched as the man grabbed his black overnight bag and headed into the main office to check in.

Fifteen minutes later, they were watching the shady doc unlock his motel room door and head inside.

This was going to be fun.

Two hours later, they were still sitting outside the motel, watching a closed door, praying for some kind of movement.

Diesel’s stomach began to gurgle.

He shifted in his seat, trying his best to act normal and not let on that he wasn’t feeling the greatest. Perhaps that sandwich wasn’t the best thing to consume, especially when on a stakeout.

Using the back of his hand, he swiped at the sweat that was beginning to form off his forehead.

“Dude, you feeling okay?” Zero asked, lowering his binoculars and twisting his face in concern. His soft brown eyes grazed over him, checking him out from head to toe.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Mind your business.”

“Honestly, man, you don’t look so hot.”

“I’m—” He had no time to finish his sentence.

Diesel shoved open the passenger-side door and bent his body out as best he could. He had no time to move or position himself to minimize the damage. The next thing he knew, he was throwing up along the side of the car.

He had no control. Every time he thought he was done, another wave hit him. His stomach continued to curse him as his throat cried out in pain. His brain switched itself off and abandoned him, leaving him to deal with all of his shame and disgrace.

He was so fucking embarrassed.

“Here, use this,” Zero whispered, crouching down next to him, his foot barely missing a puddle of his own disgrace.

The car door was open as Diesel braced himself between the door and the side of the car.

---