“It could take days for Rafe to hear anything about this.By then, it might be too late,” Jagger says.
That’s a good point.What to do?What to do?I thread my fingers along the back of my skull and look up toward the ceiling, considering our options.Talk about a rock and a hard place.
Hawke says, “What do you think, Ford?”
The legs of a folding chair scream against the floor as I drag it from the corner of the room.Resting my elbows on the back of it, I plop down and announce, “I think time isn’t on our side with this.Whatever we decide, we need to move quickly.”
“Agreed,” Jagger says.“Rome, talk to your brother and see if he’s heard anything already.If not, set up a meeting with Gus for tonight.”
Pushing to his feet, Roman replies, “I’ll get it done as soon as we’re finished here.”
“Thanks, man.”Jagger glances at me again.“Speaking of finishing things, how’d we come out last night?”
My mouth lifts.“Decent.”
“Any specifics, or have you been too preoccupied with a certain brunette to run the numbers?”Hawke prods.
I scowl at the bastard.“Says the guy with a hard-on for Morgan’s little sister?—”
“Enough,” Jagger orders.
With my middle finger, I scratch the edge of my nose, flipping Hawke off before my attention shifts back to the oldest of the family.“After set up, security, cleanup, the halo cut, the small bonus to the guys, and Gus’s cut, we still did twelve grand.”I glare at Hawke.“Or more specifically, twelve thousand, four hundred, thirty-two dollars, and twelve cents.”I turn back to Jagger.“Eight was for the actual event, and four was from customers double-dipping on a few games last night.”
Hawke shakes his head.“We should’ve made twelve from the event alone.”
“And we will,” I argue.“But we need to look at this from a bigger perspective than one night only.How many restaurants offer discounts to get people in the door?—”
“You’re not the only business major, asshat,” Hawke grumbles.
“Oh, do you actually go to classes now?”I toss back at him.“Funny, I thought you were too busy stalking your new plaything?—”
“Shut the fuck up before I make you.”
“Enough!”Jagger booms.“Both of you!”
My jaw threatens to snap, but I keep my mouth closed, and by some miracle, Hawke does the same.All right, who am I kidding?I’m the one who can’t keep my mouth shut.Hawke’s practically a mime these days.Even so, I know when to stop talking, and I’ve already made my point.“I’m done,” I mutter.
Hawke tosses the used towel into the hamper beside the lockers for Doris to clean.“Me, too.”
“Me, too.”Jagger checks his phone, then sets it face down on the mat and reaches forward to stretch his hamstrings.“One more thing.”
“Yeah?”Roman replies.
Jagger looks up at me, his stare so severe, I’m almost worried he’s about to tell me someone died.
“You good?”I finally ask just to break the tension.
“What’s going on with you and June?”
Well, stick my dick in a blender.That’s what he wants to talk about?Me and June?To be fair, I always knew he would never be okay with me crossing that particular line.I can’t even blame him, either.We all know I’d only use her, fuck her up, then be on my merry way.Trouble is, the more time I spend around her, the more I’m starting to wonder if I’m the one who’s being fucked with.
Even before last night, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her.At first, it was little things.Small moments when she’d cross my mind, distracting me from the usual obligations of my day-to-day activities.Then, she showed up on my doorstep, and I gave her a free tutoring lesson, and I caught myself looking up sourdough recipes and the little town she grew up in.And now that I’ve tasted her?Yeah, if anyone’s fucking with anyone’s head, it’s June messing with mine.Not numbers.Not the games I know are going.Not even my classes or the future of Mercer Consulting.Nothing has consumed my thoughts the way June Withers has managed.However, being aware of the shift on a personal level is a hell of a lot different than airing out my confusion to everyone in this room.
“A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell,” I volley.I tack on my signature smirk.The one I know pisses them off and makes most women’s panties melt.
Roman snorts.“Yeah, and we’re all aware you’re no gentleman.”
A low chuckle hits Hawke while Jagger stays sober as a fucking nun, staring at me from his spot on the mat.Guess he didn’t find Rome’s comment as funny as the rest of us.
