Surrounded By Bastards by Smith, Bryan

of Sonia’s skimpy attire and specific details about her house to all aspects of her uncle’s strangely intimate methods of intimidation. His account of the cue stick assault was as tough to get through as he’d expected. Through it all, Skip’s neutral expression never changed. He nodded when Chase reached the end of his story and said, “Mind if I help myself to a glass of water?” Chase shook his head. “Of course not. Sure you wouldn’t rather have a drink? There’s any kind of booze you could want in the mini-bar.” Skip rose from the recliner he’d sat in while listening to Chase tell his story. “No booze for me. I still have to drive back home, remember?” Chase smiled. “Look at you, being all responsible and shit.” “It’s called being an adult. You should look into it sometime.” The comment made Chase flinch. It was a harsher reply than he’d expected, delivered in a tone that couldn’t be mistaken for good-natured ribbing. He stewed over it while Skip went into the kitchen, removed the paper wrapping imprinted with the hotel’s logo from a clean glass, and filled it at the sink. “Responsible adults get behind the wheel after having a drink or two all the time. It’s called knowing what you can handle. Are you seriously giving me shit for suggesting you have one measly drink? What the fuck, man?” Skip returned from the kitchen. He settled into the recliner and set his glass of water on an end table. “You sound defensive.” Chase grunted. “Well, no shit. You insulted me.” “I told the tr