Tex deadpanned as I slid into the booth they were in. Lately, there was something a bit off about him. We needed to talk, but without the audience. “Something like that.” Simple reply for an asshole-like greeting. A beer was placed in front of me by our usual waitress. Pushing fifty and still popular as ever, Doris was what you would consider a sweet ball buster—a favorite here amongst the loyal clientele. This older-than-dirt watering hole just wouldn’t be the same without her. “Thanks, babe.” At my wink she blushed. “What a charmer.” Then, with more sass than most of the women I came in contact with, she smacked me on the shoulder. It was our thing. “Can’t behave to save his life,” she muttered under her breath while walking away, her cheeks blooming the entire way over to the table who’d shouted out for her. Turning back to face my friends, I set my hard eyes on Tex. “Something on your mind, man?”
