I pulled into the gas station and parked near the entrance. Sundays were always Tuck's shift, so unless he'd done something stupid again, he should've been here.
I got out, crossed the forecourt, and headed inside. The automatic doors slid open, and I immediately spotted him behind the counter. He looked up when he heard the doors, but neither of us said a word. The fresh black eye around his left eye stood out immediately. Somebody had gotten to him before I had.
I stopped just inside the entrance, then slowly walked over to the counter and rested both hands on it. Instead of looking at him, I looked at the cigarette display behind him.
Tuck followed my gaze.
Without saying anything, he reached behind him, grabbed the brand I always smoked, and tossed the packet onto the counter. I caught it, pulled out my card, and paid. As soon as the payment went through, I ripped the packet open, slipped one cigarette between my lips, then pulled another one out and held it toward him.
