17

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."