Chapter Eight - Going The Distance / Shallow Waters
Johnny wasn't exactly crazy about chilling with Ruslan's childhood friend in some game room, but the fact that he was owning Yanis at the video game they were playing made him feel good. Once he had been explained the rules and gotten the hang of the console controller, his good reflexes and quick thinking put him on top.
He didn't have to look at Yanis to know that he didn't like having his ass handed to him like that one bit. But the fucker had a competitive streak, and somehow Johnny digged that. Hell, he even respected the man a little. Ruslan had sternly told them to work out whatever differences they still felt they had in front of the big ass TV from which now a blaze of visual effects was lighting up the room. He had also added that he was in no mood to babysit them or try to clean blood out of the carpets.
That seemed like good thinking. The master of the house had gone somewhere while Johnny was turning Yanis's character on the screen into mush, and he did wonder what the hell Ruslan was doing.
Nonetheless, putting Yanis in his place, without using his fists, but only his fingers, felt good.
"Good game, man." Yanis patted his shoulder when the screen closed with Johnny's nickname up in lights.
"Another round?" Johnny asked gruffly.
"Nah, I think I had enough for one day," Yanis replied and laughed.
He wasn't sure if he could really relax around this guy, but Yanis no longer looked like a threat after Johnny had taught him a lesson. Yanis knew how to lose, and that was, again, something Johnny knew to respect in a man. Not many knew. Even in the cage. Winning at all costs was not worth everything. Well, for Johnny, it was. But he was not like most men, so such rules didn't apply to him.
Yanis was looking at him, with hooded eyes.
"Why are you staring at me like that? Looking to get your ass kicked for real?" Johnny asked, but now, he was half joking.
"I'm trying to figure you out a little," Yanis replied with a shrug and eased into the large armchair.
Johnny was sitting on a leather sofa, a bit away from him. He stared at Yanis. "What's to figure?" he asked.
"Well, I told you. You're not like any of Ruslan's hookups."
"And?"
Johnny was never crazy about making conversation, especially with strangers, but he was damned curious about Yanis and what the hell the fucker was trying to tell him. But he didn't have to look too eager.
"So, how good are you?" Yanis asked.
Johnny threw him a crooked smile.
"Hmm." Yanis linked his fingers and crossed his legs. "Four times?"
Not that many words were needed between them, it seemed. Johnny knew exactly what Yanis was talking about.
He hesitated. It wasn't like him to lie. Then he shook his head.
Yanis grinned. "Ah."
Johnny snorted. "Don't tell me. You?"
"Yeah." Yanis snickered like a school kid. "Want me to share some techniques with you? You could use the help."
"Nah. I always get where I want to be on my own."
Yanis seemed to ponder for a couple of seconds. "Now, seriously, man, what's the deal with you and Ruslan? And how come his papa hasn't told you to fuck off already?"
"Ruslan does what he wants. He's a big boy," Johnny replied. "He likes me."
"He told you that?" Yanis quirked an eyebrow.
"Yeah," Johnny said.
"Ruslan is not that big on liking people. Especially strangers," Yanis said. "How many times have you two done it?"
"Enough to piss you off, by the looks of it," Johnny said with a large grin now.
"You better not hope that you can get something out of this." Yanis pointed a finger at him. "You try to mess with Ruslan, you'll have a problem with me." He then pointed the same finger at his chest.
"What do you think? That I want to rob him or something? If I had wanted that, I could have been at home now, selling all this pretty stuff lying around on eBay," Johnny said. "Although he should have some more security in place. Seeing that assholes like you can come and go as they want."
Yanis didn't seem to be bothered by that comment. "Me and Ruslan ... we go way back, man." The fucker seemed serious now. "We're like brothers. I don't care about you stealing or anything like that. You wouldn't make it to count the dough. Ruslan's papa would be all over your ass in a heartbeat. But I care about you messing him up."
"What the hell do you mean by that?" Johnny asked. "All we do is fuck like crazy. And Ruslan loves it, or don't you know that, Mr. Four Times?" he added, with a tinge of envy.
"Keep it at that," Yanis said. "Ruslan doesn't need complications in his life. You smell like trouble from a thousand yards. Don't mess with his head. You know. Think that you're in some kind of relationship and shit. That you're special or something."
"Are you that pissed that Ruslan doesn't want to get screwed by you no more?" Johnny asked. "What's to you if he wants to hang out with me?"
"That's none of your business," Yanis replied quickly. "When you leave never to come back, I don't want Ruslan to think of you at all. I want him to be like 'Snake who?' and not even remember your real name."
"What you're saying is totally fucked up. Ruslan's right. You need some kids to bother with this kind of shit. See about some daughter when some punk comes to take her dancing after ten PM, and she's not even fifteen. Ruslan's not some girl. And he's not fifteen either. He looks to me like he can take care of himself."
Ruslan walked into the room "Thank you for the vote of confidence, Johnny. Let Yanis tell you all he wants to tell you. Otherwise, he won't leave you alone until he does. And Yanis, thank you, man, but both you and papa should back off a little. I'm not like that anymore."
"You know I won't let anyone hurt you," Yanis said, looking at Ruslan. "Even if you like the guy. You know that."
"Yes, I know," Ruslan said and walked over to Yanis, and placed a small peck on his cheek. "And I can tell you there's nothing to worry about here. Johnny is a good guy."
Johnny could feel a small lump in his throat at those words. He had to work out his Adam's apple a few times to make that go down.
"Good in bed, I hear." Yanis snickered, ruining the damned fine moment.