16
As expected, a few days later, my Eason found me again.
"Bro, why'd you take off the other day?"
"The restaurant wouldn't let us go, insisted we pay up."
I put on an innocent face. "I had an urgent matter at work that day, so I left early."
"Did you guys end up paying?"
He let out a big sigh, looking helpless and wronged.
"Yeah, I split it with that bitch, fifty-fifty."
"Let's not talk about her. Bad vibes."
I nodded, playing along with him.
"Bro, I need to borrow 500 grand ASAP, or my girlfriend's gonna run off with someone else."
I pulled out a cigarette and took a slow drag.
Cool as a cucumber, I said, "Your sister and I are divorced. Don't call me 'bro' anymore."
"I was played by your sister, she cheated on me, and you had a big hand in it."
My ex-Eason's face turned beet red.
"Bro, what are you saying?"
I stubbed out my cigarette and adjusted my collar.
"I told you not to call me 'bro' anymore."