Chicks, Man

“Agreed. Minus all the choking.”

We share a good laugh, and she pulls away. She studies me with unwavering concern. “I bet I’m misreading the situation, but if I’m not, be careful. Levi is one of your brother’s oldest and dearest friends. It would hurt him immensely. Be smart about what you’re doing. You know he would choose you over him. Just don’t put him in that position.”

I don’t say anything. I can’t. I convince myself I don’t need to. Because I won’t be putting anyone in any positions. Levi and I are adults. And this won’t get out. It’s fine. We’re fine.

Nothing to worry about.

Nope.

Levi

“What the hell kind of play was that!” Kip yells at the screen, a few other patrons along the bar agreeing. “Jesus, who the hell hired this guy?” He throws his hands up. “Catch the damn ball!”

I take a sip of my beer, barely paying attention to the game.

“What’s up, cocksuckers!” Chase slaps me on the back and slides onto an open stool next to me. “Been too long. Where the fuck’s Ben?” he asks, flagging down the bartender.

“Couldn’t make it. He’s sick or some shit.” Wish I’d thought of that excuse.

“Well, fuck him. Sick or not, you don’t miss boys’ night. What’s on the agenda? Strippers? Molly?” He laughs, winking at the girl on the other side of me giving him the stink eye.

“Sorry, no more strippers for me,” Kip says, flashing his wedding ring.

“See, I told you not to go through with it. Women turn crazy and won’t let you have any fun anymore. Levi, how about you? Once his curfew hits, you wanna get down on some pussy?”

The girl next to me snatches her drink and leaves. I shake my head. “No, man, I’m good. Weren’t you just in Mexico? Your dick didn’t fall off while you were there?” Kip laughs, and I take a swig of my beer.

“Fuck no. Plus, the pharmacia is basically a free for all. All good, man. Also, when did you turn into a pussy again? What, you datin’ someone?”

Kip aims his attention on me. Fuck.

“Just because I don’t want to conjure up some strippers doesn’t mean I’m dating someone.” It means I’m boning Kip’s sister and have no interest in strippers.

“Whatever, pussy.”

“What is up? You’ve been off the radar the past couple weeks. Work getting to you?”

Another swig. Yep. Work. “Yeah. We’re working on a huge case. It’s a big deal for the firm. We win this, it’s huge. We lose…it’s bad.”

“My pops is the best. And with you helping him, what’s the problem? Is it a non-winnable case?”

“No we have it in the bag. Or had it. Somewhere along the way, some files went missing. Information was inaccurately entered. So now, our witness statements claim no foul play. Someone entered in the wrong information or got to the files, but I can’t prove it because I can’t find the original docs.”

“Well, who filed it? Go to them.”

That’s the thing. Another swig. “Hannah filed it.”

“Oh shit.”

Yeah, oh shit is right. When I went back to check the logs, Hannah’s initials were there. I couldn’t believe she would have made such a mistake. The entire stack of testimonies wrong? I asked her about it nonchalantly, and she confirmed, pulling out her safety notebook and stating times of when she documented it. It didn’t add up. It wasn’t like Hannah to make a mistake. I just couldn’t figure out another reason for it.

“So, what happens? Does my pop know?”

“No. I’ve been trying to resolve it without him getting wind it was Hannah. He trusts me to figure it all out. I’m just running out of time. If I can’t, I’m going to have to tell Jim who documented it.”

And that will cost her her job. Not to mention, her pride, her confidence, and her career at the firm. Because if we lose this case, I can’t fathom where the firm will stand.

“Just ask Hannah straight up. She’s resourceful. She may be able to help. If she says she did something, she’s normally spot on. You know her. Kind of nerdy when it comes to her smarts. Speaking of Hannah, how’s she doing? Pop told me she’s still dating that kid from the office.”

No, the fuck she isn’t.

My fingers clamp around my beer, trying to keep my eyes focused on the game. If he saw my expression right now, he’d see rage. “Who knows. I don’t think she’s into him. He’s a fucking dweeb.”

Kip laughs. “Yeah, well, maybe she’s into that type. Not that I know. This is the first guy I’ve seen her date.” I want to snap at him that she’s not dating him. She’s dating—shit, we’re not dating. Are we? I’m so confused at what we’re doing. We’re together all day. She’s in my bed at night. We’re having the best sex of my life. And we’re getting to know each other. And I love every fucking second of it. “Maybe we should fuck with him and drill him for answers on Friday.”