Page 10 of Mister Rival

Then another…

Noah

Dad have fun? In what alternate universe are you living in, Josh?

Typical of Noah to not be one bit concerned with the contract. He’s more a go with the flow kinda guy and everything works out eventually. Joshua is a mixture of both Bradley and Noah; serious when it counts, but he has a playful side, too. Bradley is more like the middle ground with all of us, always the voice of reason and has his mind permanently on the job. Like me, he’s practically married to the business.

I also couldn’t help but notice Joshua was in an impromptu good mood this afternoon, and I’ve no idea what that was all about.

Probably a woman.

I quickly type back.

Me

Thanks for the pep talk, Noah. Who says I don’t know how to have fun? I’m at the restaurant now, as it happens

Noah

Taking one for the team on behalf of the Andersons

Me

I’ll grin and bear it as much as I can, but this is Alison Archer we’re talking about

What’s one meal? I can do this.

My clients haven’t been desperate to sell, but Alison’s couple offered three-hundred k more than others were offering. They want it bad, and that’s why I feel like a dick doing what I did. I let my ego get the best of me.

Bradley

If you’d signed off earlier today, this could have all been avoided, Pops. Just sayin’

Me

You know you’re sounding more and more like Joshua every day, son

Joshua

I assume in the way you mean I get the job done, without all the bullshit?

Bradley

Sure, that’s what he meant

Noah

I thought bullshit was your first language, Josh?

Joshua

I’ll remember that when I need a favor from you

Noah

Just keeping it real

Joshua