Bad Seed

“Have a good night, Marcy,” I said as I pulled my office door closed behind me.

“You, too,” Marcy said.

It was a quarter after six, and I still had to go home before meeting Josh. I knew it didn’t matter if I showed up to the bar in my work clothes, but I hated the idea of drinking in a suit. It felt too uppity.

Just after seven, I stepped inside the only bar in Ennis. Josh was already there waiting for me, sitting at the bar when I walked inside. He fiddled with his pint glass as I slid onto the barstool next to him.

“You’re late,” Josh said.

“Five minutes,” I said. “Lighten up, man.”

“I’m just pissy about this weekend,” Josh said with a sigh. “That fucking conference.”

“It couldn’t have been that bad,” I said.

“It was worse,” he snapped. “You have no idea how cocky those doctors can be. Most of them have no idea what the hell they’re talking about half the time. And yet, they all think they’re geniuses.”

“Never would have guessed.”

I tried to keep the sarcasm out of my voice. Josh had just described himself, and he didn’t even realize it. Luckily, he was too deep in his own complaints to notice my tone.

“Anyway,” he said after he had finished ranting about the conference. “What’s new with you? Work’s been insane, huh?”

“You have no idea.” I sighed. “I finally closed the Harrington account, though.”

“No shit?” Josh asked. “That’s awesome!”

“Thanks.” I grinned and took a sip of my drink. “It’s been a long time coming.”

“I know,” Josh said. “You’ve been talking about the Harringtons for like two years now.”

“Longer than that,” I said. “I’m just glad it’s finally for real. Marcy got the signed contracts late on Friday night, so everything’s in place now.”

“Then this is a celebration!” Josh said. He waved down the bartender and ordered us another round.

I smiled and happily accepted the drink. Josh could grate on my last nerve, but he really was a decent brother. He wasn’t always the best at reading my moods, but he was supportive when it mattered.

We talked for a few more hours and continued drinking. Josh didn’t have to be back in Dallas until the next day, so he decided to just crash at my place. We took a cab home, leaving both our cars at the bar.

When we pulled up to my house, I remembered Julie’s reaction from the day before. I smiled to myself and pulled out my phone. I typed a quick text and sent it off before I could think better of it.

“Who’s that?” Josh asked.

I snapped my head up to see that he was staring down at my phone. He couldn’t see the name on the screen, but his interest was obviously piqued.

“Just some girl I met,” I said evasively.

“And you’re drunk texting her?” Josh laughed. “Bad move, man.”

“Nah,” I said. “It’s not like that. She’s…” I trailed off. I didn’t know how to talk to Josh about Julie. More than that, I didn’t really want to.

“What?” Josh pressed. “Different? Special?”

“Both,” I said firmly. “She’s both.”

“Damn,” Josh said, letting out a low whistle. “Never thought I’d hear you get defensive about a girl.”

“Yeah,” I said. “She’s really something. Honestly, I can’t stop thinking about her.”