Page 99 of Faking Ties

“Have you ever had Turkish raki?”

“Can’t say that I have.”

It’s his turn to grin. “Let me make it for us.”

I head to the group with Jake, Quincy, Trey, and Marcus chatting with Nina, Aria, and Stella. I stand next to Stella, but I don’t touch her. I can’t, not when it feels like I’m cheating on Elodie by even touching Stella’s hand. All I want to do is call Elodie and tell her about the good news, but I have to wait until I can sneak away for a few minutes of privacy.

“Good news,” I say to everyone. “My contract is getting extended.”

Cheers and congratulations follow from my friends. Aria elbows Stella and she turns to face me.

“Right. Congrats,” Stella says and, in what feels like slow motion, she wraps her arms around me in some semblance of a hug. I pat her on the back, my body stiff. Shit, I can’t pretend like I’m into her.

“Thanks,” I say, pulling away. Jake and Quincy look at me like I’m someone else, so I grab Stella’s hand in mine and hold it.

“Thanks, boss,” Marcus says, looking at someone behind me. “For extending Hunter’s contract.”

“He deserves it,” Evren says, handing me a highball glass of cloudy liquid and keeping one for himself.

“He does,” Jake says. My other teammates nod in agreement. It feels good they have my back and that I have their support.

I flash them a grateful smile and sniff the glass. It smells like black licorice. Evren clinks his glass against mine, and I chug it…and almost choke.

Nina slaps me on the back, with more force than necessary. I glare at her and she smirks. “What? Wanted to make sure you were okay.” But her innocent expression doesn’t fool me.

“Raki is supposed to be sipped and savored.” Evren chuckles.

“Couldn’t you have told me that earlier?” I ask.

Evren shrugs. “Never expected you to shoot a highball.”

“Now I need to try it,” Marcus says.

“Same,” Trey says. “I have a feeling Hunter is just a wuss.”

“Agreed,” Quincy says. “Let’s get a round for everyone.”

My thoughts earlier? That my teammates have my back? I take it back. Those traitors.

Evren brings back a tray of drinks for everyone. Aria and Stella take dainty sips. Evren’s right, sips are the way to go. It’s not as overpowering. I dare the guys to chug it like I did, and they all have the same reaction as me.

“What was that about me being a wuss?” I ask, laughing.

“We call it lion’s milk for a reason,” Evren says.

Nina rolls her eyes and says, “Let me show you how it’s done.” She then shoots her drink back like a shot, chugging the entire thing. She doesn’t have a single reaction. No tears, no gasp, no cough. Instead, she licks her lips. “That was delicious.”

“Holy shit,” Marcus says in awe.

“I bow down to you,” Trey says, bending at the waist.

Nina laughs and curtsies again. “I’m around all night to sign autographs.”

“Get a Sharpie,” Marcus says. “I’ll be your first.”

Aria digs into her purse and hands him one.

“You carry a Sharpie around in there?” Jake asks her.

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