Darion’s Substack

Darion’s Substack

Midweek Heat: Looking for Him

D. L. Baker's avatar
D. L. Baker
May 20, 2026
∙ Paid

Xavier told himself this visit was about work.

Site inspections. Progress reports. Routine.

But the second he steps onto Riverside?

He starts looking for Diego.

And Diego notices immediately.

So he disappears.

Because some people are easier to avoid than to confront.
Especially when they still have the power to unravel you with a single look.

The problem?

Alejandro notices that too.

And unlike Xavier

Alejandro doesn’t chase.

He pays attention.

The second Xavier’s truck pulls onto the site…

Diego’s gone.

No conversation.
No confrontation.
No chance for Xavier to explain anything he should’ve said a long time ago.

But avoidance only works when nobody comes looking.

And Xavier?

He can’t stop searching for him.

Meanwhile, Alejandro is starting to notice patterns.

The disappearing acts.
The tension.
The unfinished feelings Diego keeps trying to bury under work.

Because some people demand attention.

Others?

They quietly become impossible to ignore.

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