Lost Souls by J. Bishop (the giving tree read aloud txt) 📗

you such a sucker for good impressions? You and I closed down plenty of bars back in Texas, and had a few rough mornings. You didn’t care much back then.”

“This isn’t Texas, Trick, and we never showed up looking like hell and smelling worse. You came here and asked me for a favor because I owed you. And what do you do? You get wasted on your first night here.” He paused and took a breath. “You want me to help you? Then go have your fun when this is done. You aren’t a kid anymore. Your appetite for liquor and women isn’t becoming. It barely was back then.” He gripped his keyring. “Get your shit together or go home. I don’t have the time or interest in babysitting you. I did it plenty of times when we were partners, but I don’t have to do it now. I don’t care what our history is.”

Trick straightened, his back rigid. “I don’t need a babysitter. Never did when we were partners, either.”

“The hell you didn’t.”

“Stop acting like you were so perfect. Just because you like to get up on that damn high horse and tell everyone else how to live their lives while you go off and live yours however you want, regardless of the consequences, doesn’t mean I have to listen.” Trick rubbed his head, and Mason could imagine it was pounding. “I know I drank too much, but hell, I needed it.”

“Needed it?” Mason scoffed. “People deal with a shit load of crap every day, and most do their best, go home, manage their responsibilities, and go to bed sober. Why are you the exception?”

“It’s been a helluva week…month…actually year.”

“Join the club, Trick.”

Trick frowned. “Don’t give me that holier than thou, crap. I’ve seen you hit bottom, and you know how deep it went. And you’ve had plenty of hangovers, plus a few one-night-stands. You’re not an angel, either.”

Mason held back an ugly retort and realized what Trick was subtly telling him. “Did you hook up with someone last night?”

Trick’s face turned paler, and he leaned against the car. “Who do you think drove me here?”

Mason grit his teeth. “That’s great. Nothing’s changed since I last saw you, has it?”

Trick glared. “Why do you care who I sleep with? It’s none of your damn business.”

Mason jabbed out a finger. “I told Remalla and Daniels you were helping Cissy’s parents bail her out of jail. That’s what you told me. Was that a lie?”

“It wasn’t a lie. They were bailing her out. I just may not have made it there.”

“So you let them down, too?”

Trick looked up at the sky. “Shit.” He squinted and dropped his head. “Fine. You’re right and I’m wrong. Per usual. I screwed up. What do you want me to do? Beg for your forgiveness?”

Mason groaned and tried to think. Closing his eyes, he told himself to stay cool. Screaming at his former best friend would solve nothing. Finally, feeling a little more level-headed, he opened his eyes. “You know what? I think this was a mistake.” He pulled the folder Remalla had given him out of his jacket pocket and held it out. “Here’s all the info you need. Take it. Go through it and talk to whomever you can. Maybe you’ll figure out what happened and it will lead to proving Cissy’s innocence.”

Trick stared at the folder. “You’re serious? You’re bailing on me?”

Mason debated how to respond, but chose to be honest. “I’m not that guy from the good ole’ days, Trick. You and I, we had our fun, got into a few messes, and used our clout as Rangers to get out of them. We did stupid things, got ugly drunk, and slept with pretty ladies, and broke a few hearts.” He sighed, recalling the past. “We’ve both had regrets, and God knows, we helped each other out of plenty of hard spots. You’ve got a slew of shit on me, and I’ve got a slew of it on you.” A car drove by blaring music, and Mason waited for it to pass. “I will always remember those days with fondness and a little shame, but I’ve let them go. I can’t do the work that I do without being at my best, and I can’t work this case with you unless you can do the same, and let’s be real. You can’t.”

Trick opened his mouth, but it took a few seconds for him to answer. “I miss those days.”

"That’s the difference between you and me,” said Mason. “I don’t.”

Trick scraped the toe of his foot along the hard concrete of the parking lot. “I guess I just figured, once we reconnected, and maybe if you forgave me…”

“That we’d pick up where we left off?” Mason chuckled. “No. I’ve moved on.” He paused. “Maybe you should, too.”

Trick nodded, and he eyed the folder Mason held. “Okay. I hear you.”

“Good.”

“But I’m still not letting you off the hook.” He took the folder. “You and I have unfinished business, and I need your help.”

Mason started to argue, but Trick held up his hand. “And before you get all pissy with me, you know I’m right. I’ll concede I screwed up. I let my frustration and stress get the best of me, and didn’t handle it well. I should have been here on time, and I should have been there for Cissy and her parents. I get it, and you’re right.”

“Trick─”

“Just shut up. I admire you for what you’ve done. I hated it at first. I was mad at you for a long time. We had a good thing going, and you screwed it all up. Cara was angry too, and maybe I used that and her to get back at you. I can be man enough to admit my mistakes, and I’m sorry.” He rubbed his neck. “But I can’t do this without you. I need your insight and wits. We’ll accomplish a lot more as a team than anything I can do on my