302 Old Times, New Questions

(Jayden)

Lance leans back in his chair, one arm draped over the back, a beer in his other hand. We’re out on the balcony of my penthouse, the city stretched out in front of us like it always has been, but life looks a lot different these days.

“Man, you ever think we’d be here? A few days out from a second wedding run?” Lance asks, taking a long sip from his beer. “You with four kids, me... well, still doing whatever the hell I’m doing.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Nah. Back in college, I figured we’d be tearing it up until we were fifty, still chasing girls and getting wasted every weekend.”

“Well, one of us is doing that,” Lance grins, tipping his beer toward me. “You’re practically a family man. Settling down with Winona. Are you sure you’re ready?”

I shrug, taking a drink from my own beer. “It’s been a wild ride, but... it feels right, you know?”

Lance raises an eyebrow. “Even with all the shit that’s gone down? I mean, Judy, Gus, the whole Nexus Global empire—how are you not losin