I shrug.
“Yeah, that’s occurred to me.But you know Joelle’s fucking me over with the divorce, right?We’re legally separated, but she’s trying to get more than what the pre-nup says.”
Scott throws me a look.
“Yeah, and you should just give it to her too.What’s it to you, my man?You’re worth billions.Why quibble over a few million here and there?Throw her a bone and get rid of her.It’s that easy.”
I stare daggers at my best friend.
“Yeah, but it’s the principle,” I say in a tight voice.“We had a contract, and that shit matters.Why would I even get a pre-nup if it wasn’t going to be honored in court?”
Scottie snorts derisively.
“Yeah, but since when are you a man of principle?Please, bud.It’s me you’re talking to.I know you’re a motherfucker who’d fuck my mom if she was hot, consequences be damned.”
I hold up a hand.
“Okay you have a point,” I say in a tight voice.“But still.I don’t want to pay that bitch a cent more than we agreed on.”
My friend pauses for a moment before speaking.
“But is it worth it?I mean, Bradley, my friend, you’re losing perspective on this situation.Your ex has your balls in her grasp, so you’re going to fuck her daughter as a part of some hare-brained revenge scheme?You know as well as I do it’s only going to result in your balls being chopped off altogether.By the judge,” he states emphatically.
I nod grimly, staring at my drink.But then I speak again.
“But I’m going to do more than fuck Minnie.I’m going to knock her up.”
At that, Scott literally drops his wine glass so that it shatters on the floor, red liquid splattering everywhere.
“Are you fucking kidding me?”he hisses as a busboy moves forward to clean the mess.We’re forced to the side as the young man mops, and I nod at the bartender in apology for my friend’s clumsiness.But Scott’s still talking because he thinks I’ve lost my mind.
“You have obviously lost touch with reality, my man.Are you fucking kidding me?You’re going to fuck your stepdaughter, and give her a baby?How would this even get back at your ex?”
I shrug.
“It’ll make Joelle into a grandmother,” I smirk.“It’ll remind her that she’s getting old, with fucking crow’s feet and menopause just around the corner.”
Of course, I don’t share with Scott my devastation about Joelle’s abortion.That situation is private and it still stings when I think of it, even in passing.
But Scottie’s on a roll now.
“You are certifiably fucking insane, you know that?But I like it.Crazy like a fox.Goddamn, no wonder you run an empire, because holy fuck, this is out of left field,” he whistles.But then my bud straightens again.“So with the baby ...you’re going to become a dad?”he asks with disbelief in his voice.
I shrug.
“Maybe.I guess.”
Scott shakes his head again.
“I guess?That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement of impending fatherhood.In fact, I’d say you’re against it.”
I shrug again.
“Kids are whatever.I was raised by a nanny, and I can pay for a nanny for my child as well.Plus, there’s also boarding school.I don’t plan on spending time with this child.”
Scott stares at me, his blue eyes piercing.
“But this is your flesh and blood,” he says in a pointed voice.