Page 67 of Destined To Fall

I cover my mouth, desperately trying to suppress my mirth, but it only makes it worse. My whole body shakes with it.

“God,” he groans, pushing me off him to sit up, pulling his knees to his chest. I fall to my back, tears pooling in my eyes as I laugh unchecked.“You’re such a dick,” he says with a reluctant smile, shaking his head.

I stand up, still chuckling, and shrug with a grin.“If the running shoe fits…” Istart jogging, turning backward to see Jeremy watching me.“Come on, Sleeping Beauty. Jog it off.”

“I ran into my father Friday.”

This sounds ominous. I frown and chew on my lip.“How crazy. Anyone would think you worked in the same building.” It’s been weeks since the lobbygate incident.

“Or even for the same company. How weird.” He draws out the word, clearly unimpressed with my flippancy.“He asked if I was still in contact with you.”

This almost stops me in my tracks.“Did he, now? And what, pray tell, did you tell him?”

“The truth. Mostly.”

“Whose truth?”

“I found your card in his wallet, confronted you, and you told me everything.”

At this, I stop.“You didn’t.”

“I didn’t.”

“You’re an asshole.” I hit him in the arm, and he chortles.

“Sorry. I couldn’t resist. I just told him that I know what you do. You should have seen his face.”

“I bet. Are you trying to kill the man? Let it alone, Jer.”

“He told me it was a one-off.”

Interesting. I’m surprised he said anything at all, but I refuse to take the bait and don’t respond, jogging off again instead.

“Damn it. Fine. Dropping…”

“Good, but I have to go. I have somewhere I need to be later. Have a good day at the office tomorrow. I’ll be boarding a plane.”

“Don’t get stuck in any cubicles.” Jeremy hollers after me, making me grin before I hear his footsteps behind me.“Wait. Are you busy next weekend?”

“Yes, and you’ll have to find someone else to torture next Sunday. I won’t be back till Tuesday.”

“Oh.” His pace slows at that.“Well, good. Maybe I’ll find someone who can keep up.”

“Pfft. Like you could find anyone else to put up with your lazy-ass pace.”

His chuckle follows me as I jog off.

“Nick, looking good, as always.” I wink at Max’s driver as I slide into the town car, smiling to myself when his cheeks turn pink. Maxwell chuckles beside me as he leans across the backseat to kiss my cheek in greeting.

“Will you stop tormenting the poor man? If you keep distracting him, he’s likely to crash the damn car, and I would like to get to Daniel’s game in one piece.”

“Sorry.”

“I’m sure you are.”

He’s seemingly in a chipper mood, but mine plummets at the mention of Daniel’s name.“We’re seeing Skeeze today?”

Max sighs, then nods in agreement.“Yes, that is the plan.”

---