Page 33 of Square Deal

He shifted his weight between his feet and looked at the floor. “Figured if she needed something, she’d let me know.”

A loud thump echoed from upstairs. I grimaced and pressed my fingertips into my eyes. These boys were going to give me an aneurysm.

Chase scratched the back of his neck and cleared his throat. “Han?”

“Say nothing,” I grumbled.

He smirked and stifled a laugh. I rolled my eyes. Chase turned to leave but stopped short and tapped his finger against his neck. “I was just giving you a chance to ‘fess up.”

I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the large mirror on the wall. My cheeks turned as red as the mark on my neck.Fucking Isaac.

Chase cackled and pulled the door behind him. “Unless you wanna tell me who it is, your booty call can do your yard clean up.”

“Fuck you, Chase!” I sing-songed, flipping him the bird in the most ladylike way possible.Manicured, of course.

I slumped against the door and closed my eyes. “Intolerable men…”

Stomping up the stairs, I shouted, “What the fuck was that, Lawson? Did you learn to play hide-and-seek with elephants? I expected a little morecovertand a lot lessclumsy.”

I didn’t waste a second grabbing my phone and firing off a text to Chase.

Hannah Jane

Please keep this between us.

Chase

Keep what between us?

Hannah Jane

You’re the best, Brannan.

Chase

FYI, I will be sending a unit to stake out your place until you tell me who it is.

Hannah Jane

Seems like a misuse of taxpayer funds.

Chase

Don’t test me, Hayes.

Hannah Jane

You and your badge don’t scare me, Brannan. You should see how batshit crazy the people in the private sector are. I de-escalate insane people all damn day, and I do it without a gun. Say nothing to anyone.

Chase

There are condoms in my nightstand. You know, just in case you run out. Feel free to use your key.

Hannah Jane

Fuck you :)

I loved Chase, but he was like an overbearing older brother. Since he had nothing better to do at the moment—like Bridget—he resigned to mother-henning the rest of us. Bless his heart.

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