By the time the laughter settled, the sun had shifted again. It was already past four.
The apartment looked exactly how Damon could remember. Half lived in and unapologetically chaotic. Shoes played abandoned near the door, bags still unpacked. They had already settled before the teasing resumed.
"So," Lewis said, dropping on the coach and stretching his legs out. "Who's starting?"
Trevor didn't wait. "My vacation", he pronounced proudly, "was elite"
Rodney scoffed, "Elite how ? You stayed home and slept the whole time?"
"That's called rest," Trevor shot back. "Plus I went to my uncle's place. Pool . Barbecue. Zero responsibilities".
Lewis laughed. " Must be nice and you didn't add the bitches you fuck ?"
The whole room joined into laughter
Rodney leaned forward. " Mine was better. Beach. Real beach. Not the over crowded nonsense around here"
Damon listed quietly, leaning against the arm of the Coach, watching them bounce stories off one another. Rodney talked about loud nights and endless sun. Trevor exaggerated encounters that probably never happened. Lewis added commentary, teasing everyone equally.
"And you ?" Lewis finally asked, turning to Damon. "You've been suspiciously quiet man"
Damon shrugged lightly. "It was….calm"
"Calm?" Trevor echoed. "That's it, yeah"
Rodney raised a brow. "That's rich coming from you"
Damon smiled faintly but said nothing more. Some things didn't just need explanation.
Lewis checked the time on his phone and whistled . "Four pm. Already man. Guess the first day back deserves a proper welcome."
Trevor's eyes lit up instantly. "Say less"
Lewis grinned. "I'm thinking of drinks tonight. Somewhere decent"
Rodney snapped his fingers . "Black Ember".
Trevor shook his head. "Nah , too noisy man"
Lewis smirked. "What about the velvet room?"
New place downtown. Clean vibe. Good music. Let's give a try guys"
Rodney turned to Damon. "You're in , right ?"
Damon straightened slowly. "Nah" he said calmly. "I won't be going".
The room went quiet.
Lewis blinked. "Wait….what ?"
"I'm a serious man," Damon added.
"Trevor frowned. "You just got back"
Rodney chuckled like it was a joke.
"Come on nigga, one night won't kill you".
Damon shook his head again. "I know I'm still not going".
Lewis studied him more closely. This is unusual for Damon . "Everything okay , man?"
"Yeah," Damon replied. "Just got things to do"
"What things?" Trevor pressed
Demon hesitated for a moment, then shrugged again. "Just…things".
Damon did not answer immediately. He looked away, gaze setting briefly on the window on the fading light outside.
"Since now," he finally said.
Lewis exchanged a glance with the others. "Alright," he said slowly. "Your choice," he added.
The mood shifted, just lightly. Not enough to break the moment but enough to leave questions hanging in the air.
Trevor stood up. "Fine man. More drinks for us, fewer the better"
Rodney grinned. "We'll bring back stories"
Damon smiled faintly. "I know you will".
As the guys went back to talking about outfit and music, Damon stayed quiet, his thoughts drifting somewhere else. Outside,the day was slipping deeper into the evening.
And for the first time, Damon felt the weight of his decision settled in.
Some roads are familiar. Others you had to choose not to follow again….
Laughter came so loud from the room and the boys head out to the bar…
To be continued...