Page 84 of The Reluctant Hero

Two bodies come into my peripherals, and I turn to plead for another beer so I can handle whatever South brings up next. When I see who one of them is I wilt and blurt out, “Nevermind.”

“You were missed in class today,” the guy who cursed me out in Broussard’s office says with a sneer.

I lean back so I can see past him to call out loudly, “Hey, waitress? Can I get a can of mace and a glass ofshut the fuck up assholeover here?”

Both men give me surprised, gaping mouth looks. I don’t know who the second one is. He isn’t in the gym class, so he might be decent.

“Amanda thinks I should propose to Shade. Do you think he’ll accept?” South says with a pointed stare.

“You know this asshole?” I point at the tall guy as the shocked looks transfer to South.

“They’re my best friend’s boyfriends.”

Both of them? What’s that like? That poor woman.

“If I gave you a condolence card, would you get it to her?” I curl my lip at the two men.

“No. They make her happy.”

“Is that code for my bestie needs an intervention?” I give her a pleading look.

“She will never need an intervention, will she, Max? Trevor?”

“No,” they both answer at the same time in a rush. They look panicked over the question. The tall guy even looks at me like I’ve stabbed him in the back over it.

“Suck it up,” I glare back. “You’re a douche, and I haven’t met her, but I can already tell she deserves better.”

“Me fending off a woman I thought was trying to seduce Asher makes me a bad guy?” The defensive crossing of his arms makes me turn patronizing.

“Of course. You’re all so wonderful the ladies can’t get enough of being treated to a one-pump chump and his bestie.” I nod with a condescending pout, then I turn to South and sneer, “Are you sure your friend is ok? What has happened to standards?”

“You plan to have sex with an entire apartment complex,” South reminds me blandly.

“Oh shit, I need to get on that.”

I look at the asshole, suddenly excited again. It might be the beer. I haven’t had alcohol in a while. “Would either one of you pose with me for a picture? Ask your girlfriend if it’s cool. I’ll wait.”

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” The tall guy asks with surprise.

South fills in the mood switch blanks for me. “Her husband is trying to get back with her. He’s pond scum and claims he owns her. If she provides proof that she’s cheating, he will give her a divorce.”

I’m not above begging.

“Please? Perfectly innocent. An arm around the shoulder, maybe? Fake going in for a kiss? Would your bestie be mad?” I turn to South at the end with raised brows.

“I would say no, but she’s been odd now that she’s pregnant.”

My eyes widen in horror. “Abort mission.”

“Why?” South asks as if she doesn’t know.

“You fucking idiot, you never piss off a pregnant woman. Does common sense sink in for you? I’m going to open up the next news feed, and your face will be on the front. Missing woman last seen pissing off a pregnant lady. Presumed dead.”

“A worthy murder documentary episode,” she agrees and returns to business. “Do you think he’ll accept a proposal?”

“I’ve spoken two words to the man and gotten death glares,” I tell her flatly. “I just now found out what his damnnameis. Besties we aren’t, and I like it that way. Just fucking ask him and stop being a pussy.”

“This was not what I was expecting when Shade said you were making friends,” the shorter guy says with a narrow look at me.

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