Page 14 of Forecheck
“He was a firefighter,” Leslie said. “His company got called to a blaze at an old factory last month. The roof came down, and he never made it out.”
I looked away to offer some semblance of privacy when Leslie lifted a hand to wipe a tear from her eye. I found myself at a loss for words anyway. I’d read about that fire and had seen in the paper that four firefighters had lost their lives.
“Brayden’s birthday is next week, so I wanted to do something special to celebrate. I’m hoping a companion will help him cope better. Give him something to focus his attention on, you know?”
I nodded my agreement. “You’re a great mom, and I’m sure a furry friend is exactly what he needs.”
Leslie blinked in surprise, then offered a small smile. “Thank you, Brent,” she said quietly—almost shyly—before she took Brayden’s hand and walked them away.
“That hot mom totally wanted you.”
I playfully shoved Mitch’s shoulder when he came up to stand next to me. “Oh, fuck off.”
“I’m just saying. If things don’t work out with blondie, I’m sure she’d be willing to take what you’re offering. And I doubt that boy would mind calling you his stepdad.”
I rolled my eyes. “As annoying as you are, I’m actually glad you’re here.” I glanced at his feet. “Nice kicks.”
Mitch smirked as we both studied his Travis Scott Neutral Olive Jordan 1 Retro Low Golf sneakers.
Try saying that five times fast.
“Thanks, man. I’ve got a pretty great best friend.”
I gave him anaww shucksgrin. “Those were damn near impossible to find, and I almost got outbid by some tool who doubled at the last second. I snuck my final bid in just before the auction closed.”
“I don’t even want to know what they cost,” Mitch said, holding up a hand, “but I’m fucking obsessed with them.”
I preened, pleased with another happy customer. Gift giving was my love language, and Mitch’s birthday was in a couple days. Seemed only right that I finally snagged and gifted him with the shoes he’d had his eye on for forever.
Was it weird to spend so much money on a dude? Maybe. But he was my best friend, and I had more money than I knew what to do with. Believe me, what I dropped on those Jordans was a drop in the bucket of my wealth.
“I’m glad,” I said.
“Now, you mentioned something about being glad I was here? I know you’re obsessed with me and everything, but I’m assuming there’s another reason.”
I shoved him again for being a jackass but said, “Can we host a loft party soon?”
Mitch pursed his lips, narrowing his eyes to study me. “Does this have anything to do with Berkley?”
“Yes,” I said, unashamed. “It has everything to do with Berkley. I may or may not have DMed one of her friends, who suggested a group hang. We can’t really be partying in public since we’re in season, but the loft…”
“Would be perfect,” Mitch finished for me.
“Precisely.”
Mitch was quiet for several beats—long enough that I thought he’d refuse. Then, a conspiratorial gleam appeared in his eyes, and he said, “You know…Halloween is coming up. Seems likenothaving a costume party would be a wasted opportunity.”
I grinned and held out my hand for a fist bump. “Let’s do it.”
As we made our way back to our tent for more autograph signing and photos, Mitch said, “So who’s this friend? Is she a smoke like blondie?”
“Don’t,” I said, forcing Mitch to a stop beside me with an arm barring his path.
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t do that thing where you love ‘em and leave ‘em. If you fuck with her friend and things go south, she’ll never speak to me again.”
Mitch adopted an expression of fake hurt, placing a hand over his heart. “Me? Love ‘em and leave ‘em? Never.” He shot me a wink and chuckled before pushing past.
