Page 92 of Override

The backyard erupts into laughter. Against my better judgment... I laugh too.

Spring sunshine filters through the budding trees surrounding Matt's backyard while laughter rolls around the patio. The smell of burgers and charcoal hangs in the air.

Somewhere inside the house, music drifts through an open window. Normal. Comfortable. Dangerously comfortable.

I close my laptop. Unfortunately, everyone notices.

"Oh, that's suspicious," Matt says.

"Very suspicious," Cross agrees.

"What were you doing?" Samantha asks.

"Working." Nobody believes me. The looks alone say it.

Bullet flips a burger before glancing over his shoulder. "You only smile at work when something breaks."

"Or when someone else breaks," Wheels adds.

"Remember the congressman?" Matt asks.

Rachel groans. "Oh God."

Sloane sits forward. "What congressman?"

"It wasn't important." I give my best death stare at Matt but he continues.

"It absolutely was," Matt says.

I point at him. "You promised we wouldn't tell people that story."

"I promised Rachel."

"You married Rachel." I tell him like he doesn’t already know.

"Exactly. I tell her everything."

Traitor. The yard erupts into laughter. I take a drink from my beer while trying not to smile again.

Apparently that's impossible—Sloane catches it immediately.

"There!" She points again. "He's doing it!"

"Doing what?" Samantha asks.

"Smiling."

Cross narrows his eyes at me. "That is weird."

"It isn't weird."

"You look happy." Wheels states like it’s the most normal thing. The backyard falls silent.

Because that word lands differently. Happy. Not amused. Not entertained. Happy.

I immediately wish I'd stayed home.

"Jesus," Wheels mutters. "It got worse."