2X The Heat (2X The Pleasure 1)

“Uh, yeah. Obviously.”

He cleared his throat and I heard the ruffling of papers on his line.

“Look, I know we didn’t really talk about all this. But I’m sorry, man.”

I kind of froze as I blinked in surprise. Levi wasn’t evil, no. But we are not as close as we used to be. In college, we were close. Not just partying, but talking about shit. He was my best man when I married Vivian. We just got busy with work and didn’t get to talk much anymore. When I called, and asked him to help me out with this, we hadn’t spoken for about a year before that.

So, I never really talked about anything besides, ‘I know you’re a criminal litigator but my wife cheated on me and I need to take her down without going to court.’ The media would have a field day if we did, and I am still a decent guy. Couldn’t do that to her, even still.

“Thanks. We can meet up soon, I know life got ahead of us.” I said. He chuckled in response.

“Yeah, that’s for sure. Hopefully I can call you in on Monday with good news. Once the papers are signed, we can get financial in here and theoretically, you’ll be done with her.” He said, I heard the slight smile in his voice.

“Hopefully. Thanks again, I know you’re busy.”

“Don’t sweat it. This is better than almost getting shot every day I walk into court. Speaking of, I have a hearing in ten.”

“Oh, of course. Thanks.”

“No problem, see you.” The line went dead.

I swung back in my chair in frustration. Maybe I would feel better once I got out of my pajamas. Maybe eat something or see some sunlight for once in a blue moon’ well, three days. I checked emails, nothing was dire so I went ahead and left my den and set off for the kitchen.

Of course, I don’t have any food. I shook my head in disappointment, mostly at myself. I took a shower and got dressed in some jeans and a polo so I could run to the café around the block. I went there so much; the cashier knew my order. She stopped writing her number on my cup a few weeks ago.

“You look awful tired today, Tristan.” We got on a first name basis a few months back.

She was very young, college-age tops. And a typical one at that. Trendy dirty blonde hair, blue contacts, and a leaf tattoo on her wrist.

“Little bit, thanks for noticing.” I paid her and stepped to the side, feeling her eyes follow me as I did.

Things were different now. In my mind, I’m not married anymore; I’ve done my signing. It wouldn’t hurt anyone to show that girl a good time, maybe I would feel better. Maybe not better, but far from not having had sex in the past two months.

So, once I ate my croissant club and had my vanilla chai, I headed to the back room, making sure she saw me. She was quick, she met me back there in less than thirty seconds and I gave her everything she had been imagining for seven months.

~

Sure, I had a bit of a pep in my step on the way home so I stopped at my usual barber and got my haircut and wet shave.

“Haven’t seen you in a while, you make my job harder you know.” Tony, my barber who probably faked his Mediterranean accent, pretended to be pissed.

“Sorry. I’ve been busy.” He draped the cloth over me and I relaxed into the chair for a much-needed grooming session.

Perhaps I shouldn’t let myself go too much, but the shit I’ve been under for the past few months was enough for anyone to let themselves go.

“Maybe I do something new, what do you think?” He asked.

I chuckled softly, “Sure. Why not?”

I walked out of there with a new haircut, and decided to keep my beard as a low fade. Made me look wiser, and less like a divorced man at thirty. Maybe that’s all in my head.

I got back to my penthouse and settled in the theatre room, prepared to do absolutely nothing for the rest of the day. Then my sister called.

“What do you want, Natalie?” I gruffed.

“Ugh,” she scoffed, “I can’t check on my kid brother?”

I sighed heavily, muting the action movie from blaring through the speakers.