Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
I tilt my head. “Date?”
Kaden busies himself with the poker chips, rearranging a few stacks before admitting, “Date’s off.”
“What’d you do?” I ask.
“Why is it my fault?” Kaden scowls.
“Was it hers?”
There’s a beat of silence and then, “No,” Kaden admits. He knocks over a tower of red chips he just created. “She’s a Wolves’ fan.”
“There’s a pro team called the Wolves?” I thought I paid close attention to the Pro Football League.
“It’s our college rival,” Kaden says. “I was a State Raider, and she’s a University Wolf.”
“Unless she’s dressing up in the blue and gold of the team in bed, what does it matter?” Brooks wonders.
“I didn’t say it was a problem. She walked into my place, looked at my college jersey, and walked back out.”
“Did you consider your place is a shithole and that’s why she left?” I suggest, lifting the whiskey to my mouth to hide the smile dancing on my lips. Kaden is followed, literally, by a gaggle of gorgeous women at all times. That someone he likes isn’t instantly falling at his feet is a spectacle that we are all going to enjoy.
“My place is not a shithole.” Kaden frowns. “How did I become the topic of conversation and not you and Nat? When’s the wedding? Is a baby on the way?”
I slide the bottle out of reach. “No more booze for you.”
Graham steps into the card room. “Did someone already lose? The energy here feels tight.”
“Kaden,” Brooks and I say at the same time.
Kaden throws a chip at each of us which, unfortunately for us, hits us both on the forehead with pinpoint accuracy.
“Sick.” Graham takes a seat. “It’s like you could throw for a living.”
“Imagine getting paid for something like that,” Kaden says with a wry smile. “Back to you, big guy. When’s the wedding?”
“I did take her to meet Mom yesterday.”
Still gripping the cut glass snifter, Graham’s hand crashes to the table. Expensive amber colored liquid climbs up the sides and sloshes onto the felt. Brooks’ brow creases, and he pulls out a handkerchief to wipe up the spill.
“Sorry,” Graham mutters, but he turns away from Brooks’ cleaning activities to glare at me. “You met this woman two minutes ago, and you’re already bringing her home to your mom? Are you nuts?”
Kaden immediately starts humming the Beyoncé song. I start laughing because Graham’s indignation is hilarious. You’d think he was the one who was on unwanted wedding invitations being sent out across the city.
“It’s all good, my man.”
“Not to take your ex’s side here, but you’re making a lot of changes in your life that don’t seem well-reasoned. You’re closing your law practice. You’re thinking about marriage with a woman whose middle name you probably don’t know. I get your mom almost died and you’ve stared mortality in the face, but this isn’t you Dylan, and because I’m your friend and I fucking care, I’m going to say it even if these other two cowards have their mouths glued shut.”
The whole room feels like a giant damp towel was just slapped over our heads. An oppressive cloud pushes our shoulders down to our knees.
Finally, I say, “Deal the cards, Brooks.” Once the felt is covered with the rectangular cardstock, no one is talking about weddings and girlfriends and mothers. And, like clockwork, our conversation turns to how bad Brooks is at bluffing and how very good Kaden is at taking our money. Graham is dealt bad hand after bad hand until his last chip when he wins a pot big enough to stay in the game for another two rounds.
In the end, I win most of the chips. As I neaten my space, I wink at my friend. “It’s karma.”
Graham sighs and then chuckles. “I did go off on you unnecessarily.”
“Bad day at the office?” I arch an eyebrow. Brooks has drawn Kaden off to the side to discuss something, leaving Graham and me alone, probably intentionally in case we needed to make amends. Or, rather, giving Graham space to apologize.
“You have no idea. I wish you weren’t leaving law. There aren’t enough good lawyers out there.”
“You should try Natalie. She’s a labor lawyer, which means she can read a contract as well as anyone.”
“You’re willing to throw her to the wolves like that?” He’s surprised.
“I have faith you won’t be an asshole to her. She’s a nice girl, and being mean to her would be beneath you.”
Graham’s chest deflates, and he hangs his head briefly. “I don’t want you to be taken advantage of.”
“I’m a big boy, and everything I’m doing now is what I want to do. You should try it. There’s a whole big world out there that exists to be enjoyed beyond the conference room table.” I get up and shrug on my jacket.
Graham grabs my arm as I pass by on my way out. “Knit me a sweater, and I’ll know we’re good.”