Page 21 of Boss with Benefits

She sighed. “Based on what he told me before passing out, I think I already know. I just need a little confirmation.”

Deacon hung his head for a moment and sighed.

Then he put his hands on his hips and confronted her with the truth. “I haven’t seen him do shots in years. He was messed up tonight, lady, and I think you know why.”

She kept her mouth shut. Staring at people without saying a word gave them permission to keep talking. Sometimes they said more than they meant to, and that was what she wanted now. Brady had taught her the tactic.

Deacon didn’t let her down. “You have the guy twisted in knots,” he said. “I don’t know what you did to him. I mean, you must be really something in the sack for him to be so broken over you ending things.”

“We agreed at the start it would be a two-week fling.”

Deacon shrugged. “Whatever. All I know is my buddy is a mess because of you. I don’t see how the two of you can work together after this. You can’t dangle the carrot in front of the horse’s face on a daily basis and not expect him to keep trying for it.”

She folded her arms. “What are you saying?”

“Be a decent person and quit. If you don’t feel the same way he feels, sell him your part of the agency and walk. Quit before you do some real damage.”

“Since you know Brady so well, I’m sure you realize he doesn’t want marriage. Or any other sort of commitment.”

“Doesn’t mean he wants to be dumped.”

She made a frustrated noise deep in her throat. “I will make it clear to him once he’s sober that we can go another round after the custody issue is settled. Okay? He’ll get over me real quick if I make myself available. He only wants me because I put an end to it before he could.”

Deacon grinned. “Exactly what I told him.”

“So glad we agree. Now can you get him out of here before the investigator thinks I’m doing two men at once?”

Brady groaned when Deacon pulled on him.

“Wake up,” Deacon said. He gave Brady a gentle slap on his cheek. “Open your eyes, buddy. We gotta go.”

Jessica shook Brady with one hand on his arm. “You’re going to get me in big trouble if you don’t wake up and leave. Come on.”

One of Brady’s eyes popped open. “Huh? Jess? Is it you?”

“That’s right, stud,” she said. “You passed out in my bedroom.”

Both eyes opened wide, and he looked around. “I’m in your bedroom?”

“My son is asleep down the hall, and a private investigator might be watching my condo. Get up, and get out.”

Brady gaped at his friend as if noticing him for the first time. “Deacon? What are you doing here?”

Jessica rolled her eyes. “We’re having a party. It’s over now. Go home.”

Deacon helped Brady to his feet and held onto him as the big guy wobbled. Her hands flew to Brady’s chest to steady him. His arm automatically went around her shoulders, while the other snaked around Deacon’s. They walked him to the front door. He didn’t lean very much on her, so she figured he was putting twice the weight on his friend. Deacon didn’t complain or stumble.

When they reached the door, Jessica pushed his arm off her. “You can take it from here, right?” she asked Deacon.

He nodded. “I got him.”

Brady gave his friend a dirty look before turning his vulnerable gaze in her direction. He slurred his words slightly. “Hope I didn’t wake your kid or say anything… dumb.”

She forced a smile. “Not at all. See you tomorrow.”

He glanced at his watch. “Is tomorrow.”

“Then I’ll see you later today.”

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