Page 6 of Up All Night
“If you’re getting some, sure.”
There’s a coffee carafe on the back counter.After I pour us both a cup, and Stone, too, and the I rejoin Jagger at his desk.His desk phone beeps.He picks it up and tells the receptionist to let Stone through.He’s wearing a suit, complete with a jacket, like he’s just come back from a meeting or he’s about to go to one.“So, what’s the story?”
“You guys should come over and check out my new digs.”He tells us where he is now.“My realtor found me a real kick ass parcel of land.I think I just put her kid through college with the cut she got of that sale.”
I lift a brow.“Is this the one that you’ve got the hots for?"
He gives me a look.“She’s like fifty, man.Now, I’m not saying I have an issue with older chicks, but fifty is a little much.”
That’s when Jagger decides to throw me under the bus.“You’re one to talk.”
Stone looks at me expectantly.
My voice is flat and facetious.“Thanks, man.”
Stone gestures with a thumb towards Jagger.“What’s he talking about?”
With a sigh, I explain.“If I tell you, you’ve gotta keep your mouth shut until I tell you otherwise.”
He shrugs.“Go on.”
“Izzy and I are engaged.”I look at Jagger as if to say, ‘are you happy now?’
Stone lifts his eyebrows.“No shit?”
I shake my head slowly.“No shit."
Stone scrunches his face.“Bullshit.”
“Why would I bullshit you about it?”I scoff."Do you want me to call Izzy right now and prove it?"
He lifts a hand."No, no.I believe you."He shakes his head."Why so fast?And why are you keeping it a secret?"
"It's not a secret.I just don't want the world knowing before the key people do is all.And, sure it's fast, but what the fuck?So, Jagger and Bowie can elope at a fucking conference yet me getting engaged on the fly isn't acceptable?"
Trying to diffuse the situation, Jagger hands Stone his coffee.
Stone continues."Look, it's none of my business, but I just think that making too quick a move is a bad idea, especially if it means getting married.I mean, how well do you even know this girl, anyway?"
"I told you about her, Stone.It's Isabelle Hopkins."
He looks like he wants to laugh."And does Wesley Hopkins know?"
My nose is in the air."He and Emily are very happy for us, as a matter of fact."
Jagger throws me under the bus."To be fair, the last loser that proposed to her was also boning every chick he met when not in his significant other's company."
"Fuck you."I growl."You're making it sound like I just wanted to one up you."
Stone looks at me."Well, aren't you?"
My neck cranes and my voice raises an octave."Fuck you, too."
Smartly, Jagger changes the subject."Hey, Stone.You've got top of the line security at your hotels, right?"
"With the wallets on my guests, I better."
"That's what I thought."Jagger lifts his chin."What sort of software do you use for your cameras?I've got to decode a license plate number."
