"Nick," I say, eyes closed and head shaking. "My friend, that is just sad."

In more ways than one, but right now I'm not letting myself think about how hard it must've been for my boy, dealing with what happened here on the island instead of at home. I'm not sure I could've done it, man, and that's the stupid thing about Nick. He thinks I'm strong. Boy's an ox.

A'ight, Brown, pull your head back to the game before you lose it, yo.

I do. I shoot him a disgusted look. "And I honestly can't say what's sadder. That you're still not sure, or you actually think I'd be so hard up as to need to tap your ass." Craning my head to look around him, I pretend to look him over. "Not that it's not a fine ass. It is a fine ass, don't you think, Karen?"