The Friend Scheme - Cale Dietrich Page 0,2

but he hasn’t found the time yet. He’s been too busy with war stuff.

Luke makes his way over to me. His suit fits him well, sitting snugly against his broad chest. He’s been working out even more than normal lately, and he’s freaking jacked now. Dad’s so proud. With his new body, and his hair slicked back, my brother looks way older than nineteen. His face is thin, with high cheekbones and a strong jawline, and his eyes radiate an intensity that always seems kind of desperate. It’s like whatever it is he wants, he wants it really bad, and he’s willing to do anything to get it. He reminds me of a jackal sometimes. Starving. Unpredictable. Deadly if needed.

Honestly, he looks right at home here. He’d be a golden boy, if my family were into that sort of thing.

My life would be a lot easier if Luke wasn’t so good at the family business.

“What was that?” asks Luke.

“What was what?”

“Your mask.”

I shrug. “You know me, airheaded as usual.”

He rolls his eyes. “Come on. I know you left it on purpose.”

How does he know?

“I…”

But then he smiles. “I’m just messing with you.” His grin is toothy. Doesn’t feel right. Like he’s doing it for show. He swats my shoulder. “For real, though, don’t be so stupid next time, ’kay? I can’t be the smart one and the good-looking one.”

I give him the middle finger. He’s both, and he knows it.

He’s right, there is going to be a next time. And I can’t use this same trick again. One way or another, I’m going to end up as a soldier in this war. Now that I’m seventeen, I’m considered ready to fight. To put my life on the line.

I’m expected to kill.

As far as I know, Luke hasn’t killed anyone yet. But he’s ready for it. He’s told me he’s looking forward to putting “one of those Donovan bastards in the ground.”

I believe him.

“I’m gonna get a drink,” says Luke, walking backward. “Want anything?”

“I’m good, thanks.”

“Suit yourself.”

He spins and walks away, wading through the crowd.

The bar is dimly lit, filled with men in dark suits and women in dark dresses, talking and drinking in low voices. A bunch of them are my family, uncles and aunties and cousins, along with members of families we’re allied to. I’d say about half are blood relatives. Dad has two younger brothers, and they all got married young and got to work filling out the family.

I push that thought away and scan the room. There are red latticed windows at the back, above the booths, and there are candles in red glass holders on each of the tables. All this combined gives the whole place a somewhat eerie glow.

Despite my best efforts to be invisible, Dad’s youngest brother, Vince, spots me and makes his way over. He stops and sizes me up. He’s a sort of big dude, the kind of guy who was fit in his twenties but has since let it slide. He’s double the size of my dad, who’s thin, like me.

Uncle Vince is our family’s best torturer. It’s said he’s managed to crack even the hardest criminals in the city with his switchblade. Left in a room alone with him, anyone would give up their darkest secrets.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Little Matty,” he says, grinning. “What are you doing hiding back here?”

“Nothing,” I say. “And don’t call me little.”

He chuckles. “That’s fair, I guess you’re not so short anymore. When’d that happen?”

Adults are borderline obsessed with pointing out my growth spurts to me. It’s like they think I don’t already know I’m finally getting taller. I never know how I’m supposed to answer questions about my body, even though I get asked about it so much. It’s like they’ve never realized most guys get taller and stronger. Or maybe they’re just weirded out that the nickname Little Matty doesn’t fit so well anymore.

Lord save me if my voice cracks around them. I’ll never hear the end of it.

Vince keeps staring at me. I hate it. I wonder if he’s thinking about my weight. People love talking about that, too. Apparently I’m too skinny, and it’s something people take pearl-clutching levels of offense to. Especially because Luke is so big now.

“It’s a good thing you’re here, with your dad. Hanging around here will teach you a lot, trust me.”

I force myself not to raise an eyebrow. “If you say so.”

“You look thin. You been eating enough?”

Blank. Stare.

“Like a horse.”

“Good. You