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And I’ve known Banks since I enty

He enty-two, fresh out of the military, brand new to security, and I just clicked with Banks and Thatcher At the ti out off-duty Relied on each other

Thatcher Moretti became my best friend We were both eventually leads Our problems were the same, and we understood each other Banks…Banks was the friend who added needed levity to the shit that Thatcher and I faced

Most days would’ve been total hell without him

So I won’t lie to Banks We’re on the same side Always

“Your dad called,” I tell him

Banks grips the steering wheel tighter with one hand

Sulli stiffens in the backseat

And just like that, I’ve siphoned off all the reood mood I’m used to that I pull switches often One ames The next, it’s serious

“Yeah?” Banks frowns “He bail on you already?”

“No He’s just co in a few days late”

Banks blinks hard a few tiaze hot on the road “Don’t set your hopes and dreaood for is disappoint

He’s worried for me, I realize He’s worried his dad will be a no-show and fuck me over in the process

I’m worried for him

That his dad will show up and prove so worse to his son Money drove him here Not love for his family, his sons

Sulli scoots up between our seats “Is your dad really that bad?” She drops a bag of powered donuts in the drink console for us

I open it

“Yeah” Banks glances at her, then the road “The last thing he ever said to s like it’s nothing but I know it’s everything “I’rits down on his teeth “He can go fuck himself”

7

AKARA KITSUWON

Sulli yawns into her bicep as she reverses out of the third campsite we’ve marked on the map We called ahead to two, and they were full by the time we showed up First coht

“I fucking hate when you have to have reservations to ca is half-spontaneity, and there’s nothing wild and free about a fucking reservation” She flips off the At Capacity sign on the bulletin board before peeling the Jeep away