"Shit." Leo whispers.
I still can't believe the results. I honestly thought I had a good chance of winning, which only makes me feel worse. And to add to this now I'm down $1,000. I turn to see a group surrounding Azriel. They're cheering for him and even picking him up, tossing him in the air. Damn it.
"Hey is everything alright?" I turn to see Leo staring at me with concern.
"Uhh yeah. Just a little bummed that I lost. It seems this losing streak just keeps going. I really thought I had this one, you know?"
"It's okay Eve. I see a lot more races in your future that you'll be sure to win. Don't let this one beat you up too bad."
"Yeah, you're right."
"Of course I'm right. C'mon, let's go to Kiki's. I'll even pay for it."
"Say less!"
Leo gives me a hug and we start walking off to our cars. I start to open the door when someone closes it shut from behind me.
"Hey what the hell!"
I turn to see Azriel standing right behind me. He's much taller up close which does kind of freak me out. Although, I can see his eyes are a dark green and I can finally see his tattoos clearly. One arm is a sleeve of two skeletons, lovers, and the guy is holding the girl close as she's looking up to him. His other arm is just patchwork. I can make out some of the small pieces but one catches my eye. A phoenix.
"Where do you think your going?" his voice snaps me back to reality. I realize this talk is about to suck.
"Home obviously."
"Running off so soon? The night is still young."
"Screw the night. I'm tired and I'm going home. So I'd appreciate it if you moved." I try to push him back but fail. Instead he puts both of his arms up to block me off. Caging me in between my car and him.
"No."
I finally look up and meet his eyes. Such a pretty shade of green. I could stare into them all day. I would compliment him if he wasn't being such an ass right now.
"I'm sorry, I must have not been clear enough. Move."
"Oh I heard you loud and clear darling. Just give me the money and I'll be on my merry way."
Shit the money. I almost forgot about it.
"Listen, charming. Obviously I don't have $1,000 on me right now." he lets out a small chuckle which makes me blush a little. Thank god it's dark.
"Ahh okay. My apologies if you misunderstood our deal. Let me restate it for you. Winner gets $1,000. See. Simple. So, where is it?"
"Up your ass." I say as my lips form a bright smile. His look goes dark and he leans in so close to my ear I can feel his breath.
"Would you like to check for me?" he whispers.
Bold. But if he thinks some wordplay is gonna get me, he'll have to try harder.
"I'd love to." I grab his ass and he jolts back, freeing me from his arms.
"What the fuck was that!" he yells. I get a death stare from him which only makes me laugh.
"So sensitive. Relax charming. I could have done a lot worse. Look, I'll give you the money tomorrow. Full in cash. You pick the place and I'll meet you there in the afternoon. Good?"
"Fine. I'll text you the address and time. Don't be late. Also, pull another stunt like that and I'll drag you across the floor. Clear?"
"Crystal."
He's already walking off and it just hits me that he doesn't have my number.
"Hey! Don't you need my number?"
Seconds after my phone rings and it's a text from an unknown number. I open it and read the text. It's an address with a time right behind it. Another text pops up.
I'm so confused right now. How did he text all that in seconds and how the hell does he have my phone number?! I look up to try and catch him but there's no sign of him anywhere. This just went from annoying to creepy. A car honks behind me and I jump from the noise. I turn to see Leo in his z30 soarer.
"What's the hold up? I'm starving and Kiki's isn't open all night."
"Sorry, I got caught up with someone."
"That's fine, but now I'm not so sure I wanna pay for it. Last one there has to pay."
"You're on."
"Looks like I haven't lost my touch after all." I point out while eating my cream eclairs.
"I let you win okay? I did feel bad after all." Leo argues with a mouth full of chocolate bread.
I laugh at the sight and nearly choke on the cream.
"Wow wow. Careful there. I already feel bad for your loss, don't make it worse with you're death, okay?"
"Ugh don't remind me or I really will die."
"Hey, you never got to tell me what happened between you and Azriel."
I'm suddenly wishing I really did go home.
"Promise you won't get pissed?", Leo raises an eyebrow in response but closes his eyes and lets out a sigh.
"Promise."
"I made a bet with him."
"YOU WHAT!"
"SHHHH! Jesus Leo calm down before we get kicked out."
"What did you bet on?"
I've never seen Leo so angry before. He looks like he's about to murder me and now I really wish I was home. I almost don't want to tell him the bet. He'd be outraged and I have no idea what he'll do.
"Leo…"
"Eve. What did you bet on?" His voice is such a low whisper that I think he's trying to calm himself down.
I look down so I won't have to see what happens next.
"¥134,975."
"Why Eve?! Why make such a stupid deal! You would never have done that so why now!"
"You know why! That much money would have let me leave the apartment tomorrow. I'm so sick and tired of hearing my parents argue. Every fuckin night Leo. It's constant screaming of "You did this" or "It's all your fault". My dads been drinking more than ever so now he's a complete sack of crap. My mom keeps escaping to god knows where every night and comes back home high on something. I just need to move out already. If I don't get out soon I'm literally going to kill someone. So yeah. I took the bet. Why Leo? Because I'm fucking over it!" I didn't realize I was crying until I felt my tears fall off my chin. But I don't care. I'm so tired. I meet his eyes and all I see is sorrow.
"Eve…" he starts but closes his mouth, thinking against it. We sit in silence for about five minutes before he attempts to speak again.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lash out at you. I got upset and was just confused. I'm worried for you now, especially since you made a deal with Azriel. That much money is a lot, but it's no excuse. I shouldn't have yelled."
I know he means it. In fact, I know this argument will eat at him for a couple days. We rarely argue so when we do it's pretty serious.
"Leo. I need you to start trusting me again. I don't know what's happened to where you've been walking on eggshells around me. And don't say you haven't because you know it's true. What's going on? You've been different recently."
He lets out a low laugh, "I wish the timing were better."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm moving."
Hold up. What did he just say?
"Wait what?"
"My dad's company is moving him to the states. And he's taking all of us with him."
"When did you find out?"
"It's been a month now."
"I'm sorry, did you just say a month? Why are you just now telling me!"
"Because… I leave Sunday."
Wow. Motherf-
"Eve I wanted to tell you earlier. Hell, I wanted to tell you the second I found out. But you've been busy with school and I know who you are about that. Then every time we hang out I want to say it so bad, but the words just never come out."
"I don't get it? Why do you have to go with them? You can live on your own can't you?"
"I don't have that kind of money on hand and a month isn't exactly enough time to save up for an apartment."
Shit. It all makes sense now. He was probably trying to save up his money but stupid me made him bet on my races. And I know he lost big tonight. He said so himself, there was a lot of money riding on my race. I
feel guilty now. Even if I didn't know that he was moving, I still pressured him into betting. Why do I have to be so stubborn!
"You can't just leave Leo. Can't you stay here with family? Friends? Hell stay with me!"
"Eve, that's too much to ask for. I know you want to move out. Me staying there would only be a burden. And I'm not close to my relatives like that either. I'm so sorry. I should have told you sooner. Life really does suck huh." he lets out a low sigh.
I can't believe this. First, I lose a lot of money and have to live at home for another couple months. Second, my best friend is leaving. This has to be the shittiest Monday I've ever had.
"C'mon let's go. You have school tomorrow and an early class."
He gets up but I don't move. I don't want to. If I move, that means I have to wake up tomorrow and pay that asshole $1,000. I could have bought an apartment now and saved Leo from leaving. It would have at least given us more time to find a way. Now I have to go through the rest of the week knowing he won't be here next Monday. I didn't realize that Leo pulled me out of the booth until he's pushing me out the door. Next thing I know we're next to my car and he's opening the door.
"We'll figure something out. I'm not going to just let you leave. It's okay I'll find a place for you. I don't care if I have to sell my car. You're not leaving."
He doesn't respond. Instead he pulls me into a tight hug. It's so sudden I have to resist the urge to push back. But I can't resist the wave of tears. Leo just hugs me tighter.
It takes me a couple minutes to calm down. It gets quiet and he's still holding onto me. No one's talking, yet so much is being said.
~Thank you Eve. I'm going to miss you.~
~I'm going to miss you too.~