Page 17 of Sapphire Storm

“There’s a trail across from her house. I needed to getout,” Roman said.

“Billings. I know it. It’s across from her house and aboutseven blocks uphill.”

“Yeah, well, I’m Restless Roman. That was my mom’s nickname forme. I mean, it was Restless Ronnie back then. But it still fits, I guess.Whatever. I was just calling to say you won.”

“What were we playing again?” he asked.

“You were right. I’m herfucking whore.I’m sorry,sex person.Whatever.”

“I think the term you’re looking for is sex worker.” Hereached over and turned on the lamp beside the sofa. He’d muted the movie, buthe hadn’t paused it, so he tapped the remote. “Did something actually happen?”

“Oh,actuallyhappen?Like, what? You don’t believe me? Like you think maybe you just put the thoughtin my head and ruined one of the most important relationships in my life?”

“The fear did cross my mind, yes.”

The admission seemed to calm the young man on the other endof the call.

Footsteps crunched soil that sounded rocky and hardpacked.

The wind was getting stronger.

Roman Walker was cresting open trail. At midnight. When hewas upset. How many reckless choices was this kid going to make in one night?Ethan hoped he wasn’t intoxicated.

He rose from the sofa, turning on more lights as he headedinto the kitchen.

“Well, I guess I appreciate you sayingthat,”Roman finally answered, not sounding remotely grateful, “but I’d appreciate itmore if you hadn’t turned out to be so fucking right.”

“Roman, it’s really late and I—”

“Oh, I’m so sorry I bothered you as my whole life fallsapart. Again.”

“I’m not complaining about the call. You’re hiking a trailafter dark that has nine switchbacks and hundred-foot drops off the side. I’mhappy to keep talking, but why don’t you turn around first and—”

“Whatever. I’ve hiked this trail a million times, Gramps.”

Clearing his throat in response to this callback to BeachBoy24,Ethan asked, “At night?” There was no answer. “Do you have a flashlight,babyboy?”

“I’m just going to the first viewpoint. Relax.”

“I’m perfectly relaxed. I’m at home with a movie and a glassof wine. Perhaps you could try relaxation as well. It would be a delightfulchange of pace, don’t you think?” Dr Pepper would be too much caffeine at thishour, so he pulled a can of sparkling grapefruit water from the fridge.

“You’re pretty cool, you know that?” Roman asked. “I don’tmean like hip and popular. I mean, like, ice cold.”

“I am considerably older than you, as you’ve seen fit toremind me frequently in a very short time. Maybe it’s just my ancient wisdomshining through.”

“Whatever,” Roman said. “You’re just gloating ’cause you’reabout to get what you want.”

“Peace and quiet and a general elevation of our nationalpolitical discourse?”

“Maybe later. No, I threatened your job. Then my job gotthreatened a few hours later. Exactly like you said. Remember? You’re not awhoreyet.Yet yet yet yet yet.”

“I don’t recall saying it several times in a row like aHalloween store witch, but I do remember the moment.”

Roman grunted.

“I also don’t recallwantingyour job to bethreatened.”

Roman grunted again, and a windy quiet settled.

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