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Useful, considering the kinds of things our group gets up to.
The music from the stage swells, not a performance yet, but warming up the crowd for the change in music styles.
Another few minutes pass before William finally appears beside our table.
“Move.”
I scoot over, and he drops into the space beside me while Lev slides into Ash’s abandoned spot.
“Fuck,” William says by way of greeting. “Lab’s backed up again.”
Lev pushes his untouched drink across the table. “That bad?”
William drains half the whiskey sour in one go and grimaces as he swallows. “I’ve been working overtime processing blood work for three weeks, and I’m still falling behind on everything else. Chain of custody is shit. Samples are sitting in the fridge because we don’t have enough techs to keep up.”
“So, normal?” Lev asks.
“Normal with one asshole who keeps messing with my samples.” William sets the glass down. “I’m going to murder him.”
Lev takes his drink back. “Fine, but you better clean it up yourself. I’m not sending Orien in because you lost your temper at work.”
William snorts. “Like he’d complain. Your scary cleanup guy has gone soft.”
“Who’s gone soft?”
William jerks so hard his knee bangs the underside of the table.
Orien stands directly behind him.
“Fuck.” William presses a hand to his chest. “Do you practice that shit?”
Orien ignores him, pale eyes settling on Lev. “I’ve been waiting for you, trouble. What’s taking so long?”
Lev bats his lashes at his mate. “How does it feel being forced to come to me for once?”
Orien’s eyes narrow. “Keep it up.”
Lev lights up. “Oh, I intend to.”
Orien hooks a finger into the collar of Lev’s sweater and gives it a pointed tug.
William watches him for a second, then reaches for Lev’s drink again. “Still fucking terrifying.”
He takes another swallow and wrinkles his nose. “I don’t know how you drink these things like water.”
“Then get your own next time.” Lev turns to me. “You good if I head out?”
I wave him away. “Go.”
He holds out a hand, letting Orien pull him from the booth, and the pair heads toward the door that leads to the back rooms.
William’s phone buzzes against the table.
He checks the notification and swears under his breath. “Fuck. That asshole.”
“Sample guy?”
“Who else?” He pushes out of the booth. “Apparently, he found a new way to fuck up my night.”
