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“Nothing’s wrong with it. It’s nice. Real sharp.”
“You think Duke will like it?” Vaughan said cheekily.
His dad groaned loud, plopping down in the chair next to him. “You’re still intending on going through with this plan.”
“I most certainly am, and you said you wouldn’t intervene.”
“I know what I said. I just… I don’t….”
“Spit it out, Dad.”
“I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I can handle this.”
“Duke’s had eyes for only one man as long as I’ve known him. And even though Judge is gone, I haven’t seen Duke date anyone else, even glance at another man. He might still be pinning.” Vaughan watched his father run his hands through his overgrown hair. “I don’t want him using you as a rebound guy or some boy toy.”
Vaughan frowned, setting down the paper. “You really think that’s the kind of man your friend is?”
“No.” Quick sighed.
“Okay, then.” Vaughan went back to eating, careful not to get any crumbs on himself. “Just leave it to me, I’ll gauge if he’s still hung up on that dumbass.”
“Judge is far from dumb.”
“He left Duke for someone else… that spells dumb to me.”
“Boy, you’ve got it bad.” His dad laughed at him. “I can’t believe I gave you all those updates on Duke when I should’ve been discouraging this whole crush thing.”
Vaughan poured his dad some more coffee, getting his attention. “First off. This is not a crush. Second. I need you to support this, or else Duke will fight it.” Vaughan looked at his dad pointedly. “You promised.”
Quick waved him off. “I know. I know. I’m not against it, okay.”
“Not against doesn’t mean support.”
“Vaughan, I said okay. Go now. You’re gonna be late.”
Vaughan grabbed his briefcase. “Remember. Don’t tell Duke I’m coming by today.”
“You’re a tool.” His dad laughed again.
“Shut up,” Vaughan yelled on his way to the front door. “Catch you later, Pops.”
Vaughan drove back on I85 in his rented Audi taking the Peoplestown exit and heading towards Duke’s new office. He was glad to hear they’d relocated to Atlanta, because he wasn’t excited about going back to Charleston or being that close to his hovering mother, either. It’s why he chose to leave home right after high school, and why he chose a college in DC instead of Duke or UNC. He’d always wondered if his mom resented him for looking so much like his father. No mistaking she took good care of him, but she wasn’t physically affectionate. Couldn’t hug him, kiss him; hell, couldn’t stare at him too long without looking away. His dad had hurt her bad when he left, but Vaughan understood. They’d had a one-night stand that ended with her pregnant and her father holding a shotgun at Quick’s back while they stood in front of the justice and the peace. Quick had decided after Vaughan turned sixteen that he could still be a good father while not being married to Vaughan’s mom. As a kid, he had always been mature, so his dad explained it to him, and he quickly understood.
He parked in the almost empty parking lot. He recognized his father’s Range Rover and a large F350 with Duke’s logo on the tailgate. Had to be his truck. He was about to see Duke again, for the first time in… He was breathing heavily and trying to calm his racing heart. He couldn’t walk in and start swooning.
It’s game time. Get yourself together.
Duke went into the kitchen to grab another soda from the refrigerator. His head was pounding and all the caffeine probably wasn’t helping, but it was giving him a boost since he’d gotten very little sleep the night before. Quick got in around ten and was all smiles, singing Vaughan’s praises like he was up for sale at an auction.
He looked around for Charlie, but didn’t see him at his desk. Their spacious office was a gutted-out warehouse that they’d had renovated. Now each guy had his own workspace sans any walls. Only Duke’s office was closed off in the back. Quick was at his desk going over a contract with another bail bondsman that they sometimes hired as an outside contractor to retrieve their bail skippers.
Duke walked over to him. “Hey. Where’s everyone at?”
Quick took off his reading glasses and looked up at him. “Dana, he’s sick. Called off this morning. A couple of the guys are out doing surveillance and Charlie went to County to bail out Ricardo and his girlfriend again.”
“Again?” Duke barked a laugh.
“Yep. They got picked up last night on 13th street for disturbing the peace and indecent exposure.” Quick laced his hands on top of his head and reared back in his chair, his thick arms bulging underneath his white Polo, Duke’s logo on the breast.
“Damn. Those two can keep me in business by themselves.”
“Tell me about it.” Quick yawned. “At least they show up for court, though.”
