Page 117 of Hard to Judge

“Our Hota went to college at Oklahoma State,” Arlo says for me, nearing the seating area with another man in a suit trailing him.

Our?

Nate’s thick brow twitches. His eyes track from Arlo back to me. “Yes, our Hota did.”

Arlo clears his throat and gestures to the guy behind Nate. “Please, make yourself comfortable.”

Mio follows them. “May I get you all something to drink?”

The guy I don’t know orders water. Sparkling. Barely contained eye roll. Z and Arlo order tea, while Nate declines anything. As do I. No way I can hold anything down right about now.

Nate’s gaze drags over me from top to bottom and back again. “You look good.”

I can’t do anything or say anything. It’s like staring at a ghost. A ghost I fucked once upon a time.

He rounds the chair and pulls me to his barrel chest. He slaps my back like a straight dude. Which runs contrary to the groan he rasps into my ear. “You smell good too.”

My arms don’t do much of anything except hang uselessly at my side.

“Have a seat,” Arlo barks. He motions to the other end of the sofa. “We need to get started.”

Nate releases me, dragging his hand over my chest as he steps back and heads toward his spot.

My gaze falls to Arlo, who stands next to me. His eyes are molten, and his jaw is ready to pop.

Suddenly, mine is too.

How fucking dare he invite Nate here for a favor and not even mention it? Had I not come to his office, I’d never have known any of this was happening. Though, like many things with Arlo, I don’t even know what this is.

I flick my cuffs and sit while glaring at him. “Nathanael, what brings you to New York?” I swing my gaze to my old teammate.

“A series of unfortunate events.” He eyes me. “Though every cloud has its silver lining.”

“A typhoon doesn’t.” Arlo finally sits. “I’d say that’s what you’re in the middle of, Nate, no?”

The guy who got what I wanted to give Arlo laughs a deep chuckle. “It is quite the mess. My partner…” He pauses, shifting his gaze from Arlo to me. “Mybusinesspartner cleaned out our account and disappeared, leaving me with two options. Go bankrupt or ask a favor from an old friend.”

“Arlo?” I ask.

“Obviously.”

“Since he’s loaded?” I push.

“Well…” Nate adjusts his tie and smiles. “That doesn’t hurt.”

“What about your family? They’re loaded,” I snap back.

“They don’t agree with the way I live my life.” Nate rolls his shoulders as though it doesn’t hurt. The truth, as I know it from experience, buffers my anger just a little.

“What’s the deal?” I ask Z since I know she won’t bullshit me, and I can’t bring myself to look at Arlo right now.

She hands over a piece of paper.

I read the finer points. Arlo buys Nate’s company for ten million, which includes the four properties close to campus as well as his debts. Z hands over a property valuation as well as the company books. It’s not a terrible deal because of the property value. It’s a terrible deal because it won’t turn a profit for more than five years, as is, which makes it shitty. That’s with the projected property value increases holding.

“Why not take your partner to court?” I ask Nate, not bothering to look at him either.

“I am, the second my PI finds him. When I do, courts take years to make rulings. Knowing Kyle, there won’t be any money left by the time that day comes. I have bills due next month and don’t have the cash to pay.” He clears his throat.

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