Suicide Squeeze

Yeah. Right. As if Co

They crossed the parking lot, and Co

“Come on, come on.” Randy’s voice was begging and eager. “I want to check in, then cruise the dealer room before the afternoon panels start.”

Co

He stood with Randy in a long line and watched him register for the convention. When the woman behind the counter asked if Co

Co

“I don’t think Jerry would go for that,” Randy said. “He won’t want to leave his table.”

“Everyone needs a coffee break. Just ask him.”

Randy shrugged. “I’ll ask, but don’t hold your breath.”

Randy left, and Co

The Rover’s driver-side door swung open, and a tall, thin man climbed out, expensive blue suit, gleaming wing tips, well-coiffed hair with gray at the temples. It was Professor Dan.

Shit and fuck and hell and damn and sonofafuckingbitch…

Co

Randy returned, tapped Co

Co

“Anyway,” Randy continued, “Jerry says he’ll talk to you later if-”

“Shut up,” Co

Co

“Samson,” Professor Dan said. “You and I need to talk.”

“So talk.”

Professor Dan looked Randy up and down like he was inspecting a turd. “Alone. Over at the bar.”

Co

“I want you to stop seeing Tyra

“I’m not…” Co

In fact, Co

Instead, all Co

“I want to be clear on this,” Dan said. “You’re going to stop seeing her. End of discussion. I felt it was something I had to say in person.” He downed his drink, turned to leave.

Somewhere from the bottom of Co

It had come out in a croak, had almost been lost amid the bar din. Co

Dan stopped, looked back at Co

“I said no. It’s not up to you. It’s up to Tyra

Dan laughed, came back to the bar, and motioned for the bartender to refill his drink. “How do you think this will work? I mean really. You think Tyra

“I think she’d choose me,” Co

“Love. Huh. She likes you. I’ll admit that,” Professor Dan said. “That’s why I wanted to talk to you face-to-face. She was very agitated after the reception the other night. She claimed not to be feeling well, but I know she was upset about you. She might even like you better than the others.”

“Others?”

A slight smile. Smug. “You don’t know, do you? How delightful. You can’t tie down a woman like Tyra

“You’re a liar.” Co

“As long as she keeps her extracurricular activities out of my face, I’m pretty tolerant, but you’re different, Samson. You upset her, and that upsets me. It makes me have to think about it, and that’s when it starts to bother me. So you’re out, Samson. You can’t handle yourself like a grown-up, so I’m telling you to walk away.”

“She loves me.” Even to Co

“Jesus, you’re dumb.” Dan gulped his drink. “I’m twice the man you are, Samson. I have money, influence, standing in the community. But that’s not why Tyra

“Shut up.” The anger roared in his ears.

“You’re a textbook loser, Samson,” Dan said. “Do you think it’s true love just because she humped you?”

“Don’t talk about her like-”

“Knock off the chivalry bullshit. You’ve had your ride. Now it’s time to move on.”

Co

He stood slowly, wiped blood on his sleeve. “Feel better? Think that solves anything? Just like your type to-”

Co

“Son of a bitch.” Dan charged, leapt on Co

Co

Dan grabbed a chair, threw it at Co

Co