Page 21 of False Start

It's easier for everyone to paint me as the bad guy instead of admitting thatyeah, fucking your paralegal when you're a named partner in a law firm is A)beyondcliché, and B) usually against the rules. Things might have worked out romantically for Henry and Camila, but he's still got a month left on his suspension from Bannister, Banks, Smith & Park.

And Adam? He and Maya had only been dating for, like, two months when he started bringing her to family dinner! True, two months is like twoyearsfor us, but I still think my skepticism was warranted. What I said to Maya may have been fucked up, but that doesn't mean there aren't people in the world who feel that way.I know firsthand…

I shake off memories that are better left buried and order a round of pints. Henry's the sensible one. Noah's the joker and Mr. Charismatic. Damon's the quietest of us all and, of course, the jock. Adam is the baby. And me? I'm stuck being the asshole.

I excuse myself to take a nonexistent call, then duck into a vacant seat near the men's room for some privacy. Hot, mindless sex is a cure-all for everything from boredom to insomnia, and I could really use a fix right about now. I scroll through my contacts to find tonight's lucky lady.

Nina the dancer is always down for a romp, but…Damn.I think she might be on tour in Japan until next month.

I need to delete Samantha. She showed up unannouncedtwice, once dressed as a UPS driver!

Janae is super cute, but she's not the brightest. I know hookups aren't about conversation, but one time we did it with Game Show Network on in the background and she missedevery.single.question. It was so distracting, I almost didn't finish.

I keep scrolling and let out a breath. Denise is who Ireallywant to kick it with, but she was busy the last time I texted and it felt suspiciously like a brush-off. Texting her again tonight would make me look Sahara-level thirsty.

A notification pops up on my phone, and a smile splits my face.Speak of the devil.

Denise (Maya's girl)

I hastily change her name in my phone since we decided to keep things between us quiet. Well, we didn't decide so much as shetoldme we couldn't tell anybody, but I'm not one to kiss and tell, anyway. A little secrecy might even make things hotter.

DJ

DJ: Are you free?

DJ:I'm in the area.

Hell yeah, I'm free! But—Shit!—I'm not in the area. Notyetanyway. And I have to shower.

I glance towards the bar to see my brothers finishing up their pints and check my watch.

DJ

Sadly, I'm not home.

DJ:No worries

My thumbs whiz across the keyboard. I've never typed faster in my life.

DJ

But I could be home in like, 30min? I just need to close out my tab.

Three dots blink in my text window and I kick myself for my eagerness. I just blew pastSaharathirst levels tothird circle of Hellthirst. I didn't even wait a full minute to respond to her text, and now I'm rushing to close out my tab? Maybe I should just—

My phone vibrates again, and I snatch it off the table.

DJ

DJ:That works for me. See you soon.

I'm back to the bar in two steps.

"I gotta roll. Someone's coming by my apartment," I say while throwing a twenty-dollar bill on the bar. Noah raises an eyebrow.

"Somebodylike a maintenance man? Orsomebodylike you gotta rush home and manscape before they get there?" Noah asks. Damon chuckles.

"Somebodylike I'd much rather hang with her than you two sore losers," I say with a smirk. "I'll see you guys at dinner tomorrow."

---