Page 190 of Dance of Defiance
In hindsight, I may have bitten off more than I was ready to chew when I decided he should quit drinking cold turkey. And after that first day and a half, when he started to get worse, and the tremors started, together with the hallucinations and the vomiting, I called a nurse friend of mine for help.
Carla used to date Miguel a few years ago, and I knew she would be discreet.
Luckily, after she took his vitals and got a rundown of his drinking history—well, to the best of my knowledge—she told mehe was going to be okay here, and wouldn't have to go to the hospital.
I exhale, patting my empty pocket again as I glance out over the city. Earlier today was bad, but he’s been dozing for the last few hours—and, for the first time in days,notscreaming in terror while he's asleep.
That’s gotta be a good sign?
Me:We talking hiring a hit squad or is Kuzmina going to go lone wolf on my ass and take me out from a grassy knoll
Brooklyn:I’m suggesting you avoid driving around in open-top cars for a while. Maybe stay away from windows in tall buildings, too. I mean, she’s Russian.
Me:lol
Brooklyn:Seriously, what the fuck is going on with you?
I pause before I type a reply.
Me:Just had to deal with some stuff. I’ll be back tomorrow, promise.
Brooklyn:Define stuff.
Me:I quit smoking
Brooklyn:!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brooklyn:R u fucking serious?!? :D :D :D
I grin at the screen.
Me:Please don’t hold back your thoughts regarding the situation
Brooklyn:I am SO PROUD OF YOU!!!
I smile, but then Roman’s phone vibrates next to me. I turn to see a new text from Evelina.
Evie:Heeeeey!! Just wanted to check in on Mr. Sickypants! :( :(
Evie:How’s the covid??
Yes, I’ve been using Roman’s phone and pretending to be him to cover for what’s really going on. No, I don't feel bad about it. As far as anyone who’s texted him knows—Evelina, Bane, Laz, Nico Barone, and some cunt named Chloe who sent him a late-night nude and a “WYD?”—Roman is out with a bout of Covid.
Well, the first four are under that impression. Chloe got the first forty images that came up on Google when I searched for “very graphic roadkill”, then got her naked ass blocked and her contact info deleted from his phone.
Me:Think I’m on the other side of it. Another few days and I’ll be good.
Evie:U sure I can’t bring u over some soup??
Me:I don’t want you coming over here and catching anything. I’m good.
Me:UberEats FTW
Evie:OK! Well I’m thinking about you! Hope you’re feeling better! :)
Evie:Oh and Stepan says hi.
Me:Hi Stepan.
