Page 179 of Rising Heat

I hear it the second it leaves our mouths. Mack closes his eyes for half a second as Coop’s face lights up.

“So where is she?”

I answer before I think about it.

“Down at the harbor with Bex.”

Ryan’s head lifts first at that.

“You know that why?”

I blink.

“Because she texted us.”

“Group chat,” Mack adds.

“They sent us pictures.”

Trick doesn’t even look up from retaping his stick.

“You mean pics that weren’t nudes?”

Mack’s jaw flexes.

“Watch it.”

Trick shrugs still not looking up.

“Interesting.”

He smooths the tape with his thumb and goes back to work.

“It’s interesting that she’s showing Bex around Boston?” I lean back.

“No.” Coop points. “It’s interesting that you suddenly know her every move.”

“We do not.”

“And?” Mack tips his chin.

“Since when do you keep tabs on your hook ups?” Ryan looks between us with a brow raised.

“We talk,” Mack says too quickly.

“We’ve always talked.” I add, which is probably unhelpful to whatever point we’re trying to make.

Ryan shakes his head.

“No. You’ve always coordinated.”

He starts counting on his fingers.

“’You home?’”

“’You off work yet?”

“Last night was fun. See you around.”