Page 7 of Hitched

“Yeah, you have to admit, it is a good match.” Janice says.

“Careful.” I warn, good-naturedly. “I could easily introduce you to him.”

“It's like I've told you a thousand times, it doesn't matter how much money a person makes, if you're a jerk you're a jerk, period.”

Brandy pipes up. “Yeah, but you have to admit, it makes it a lot easier on a relationship when you're both making good money. I mean, look what happened to me.”

“If you want my opinion, Kurt gave it an honest try.” Laurie bargains. “Better than most, anyway.”

“Of course, you would say that.” I say, matter of factly. “You always had a thing for him.”

Brandy's gaze darts to Laurie. Her expression is a combination of shock and insult. I raise my hand. “I’m just joking.”

Laurie smiles. I’m not joking, I just don’t want Brandy to rip her eyeballs out in public is all. I look over at Caleb and Beckett. Caleb looks at me for a moment. He’s half toasted. Eyes glazing over, delayed movements. Kind of like me. I’ve had more than my fair share. But Brandy keeps ordering rounds and it’s her night, so I oblige. She’s done the same for me many times. And then they get into what looks like a deep conversation, making me wish I could be a fly on the wall. I’d be a drunk fly on the wall, but a fly on the wall, nonetheless.

Suddenly, Beckett’s face turns to stone, and he stands up abruptly, and leaves. Like Caleb just said something to him that made his blood run cold.

…what’s unsettling is that Caleb looks completely unscathed, and the only way that I’ll ever find out what happened, is if I go talk to him again.

…is it worth it?

Chapter 3

Caleb

I make a call to my buddy, Beckett. Better known as the second project that I’m working on with da. Beckett answers on the third ring. “Caleb. What’s going on, man. You saved me.”

“Yeah? How’s that.”

“My brothers are razzing me because Tanya proposed to me last night.”

“She proposed to you? Dude, that’s epic.” I’m impressed. “Let me buy you a congratulatory drink, man.”

“Thanks, that’s okay.”

“Seriously. I’m sitting at the bar up the street from you. Come on over.”

“Are you sure? What are you doing drinking at two o’clock in the afternoon?”

“I’ll explain when you get here.”

I’ve got a beer waiting for Beckett when he arrives, and I’m working on my fifth or sixth, but who’s counting. “I’ve been drinking since lunch time, technically.” I chuckle, patting my buddy on the back in a half hug.

“I see you’re having a worse day than I am.”

“Your day can’t be so bad, man. You’re getting married, and you got your deal.”

He furrows his brows. “How did you know about that?”

I sip my beer and then speak. “I told you. I have to protect my investment. Da’s got me on official duty.”

“What, have you got a spy watching me?” He asks in a half laugh.

I wave and change the subject. “Do you love her?”

“Like nothing I’ve ever loved before.”

“That the truth or what you’re telling yourself?”

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