Chapter 67

“You would, would you? How on track will your life be if he goes? You said the other day—you’d be lost without him. How is he going to be if he loses you? From what Jim says, he hasn’t opened his heart to anyone since he was eleven.” Reed turned away from Jake. “I need a drink.”

“Max,” Tom called, “brandy all around. Put it on my tab.” The others rolled their eyes. Tom wasn’t a big spender. “What? I feel partially responsible because I didn’t explain things adequately to Robbie. Maybe if I had, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“Greg told me that Davey never had a friend, not one, his whole life. Yet, he didn’t become a murderer or a sociopath. He wants to please you. He needs you. Greg really likes him. They are similar in many ways. Greg almost killed himself to please me. I think that’s what the kid was trying to do, please you no matter what it cost him. He was facing his biggest fear.” Cisco raised his voice. Jake studied the floor.