Page 180 of Scatter the Bones

“So what you’re saying is,” Z’s lips curl into an evil grin as he glances around the table, his gaze finally landing on Rock. “We better get ourselves on an all-broth diet after the Fourth of July?”

Rock raises an eyebrow.

Grinder frowns at Z.

Wrath chokes on a laugh.

“Christ,” Rooster mutters.

“Since,” Z adds, wagging his hand in the air in anisn’t it obviousgesture, “it sounds like he plans to crawl up our asses and conduct a thorough inspection.”

Rock lets out a disgusted groan. “The fuck’s wrong with you?”

Z grins even wider.

“Proud of that one, are you?” Grinder says.

Wrath’s still shaking with laughter.

“I’m not getting the joke, Prez,” Murphy says, his gaze pinging between Rock and Z.

Wrath reaches over and pats the top of Murphy’s head. “Of course you don’t.”

Teller quickly shakes his head. “Now that we’re all aware you spend way too much time watching porn, can we discuss this visit like adults?”

“Whoa, look at mini-me with the attitude this morning.” Z throws his head back and laughs. “Who said anything about porn, you pervert?”

“Yeah, Prez could’ve just been letting us all know he likes a good colon cleanse before gettin’ pegged by his ol’ lady,” Hustler says.

Z’s eyes narrow to slits as he slowly swivels his head in our treasurer’s direction. “Careful, oryou’llbe on an all-broth diet because you’re eating all your meals through a straw.”

Hustler raises his hands in the air. “Come on, I was just fucking around.”

“How many times do we have to explain this,” Dex says, exasperation coiled around his words. “Crackin’ jokes on each other is fine. Bringing our ol’ ladies into it is not.”

Hustler seems to sit with that for a moment, then lifts his head. “Yeah, but?—”

“For fuck’s sake,” I mutter, pinching the bridge of my nose.

“I’d argue it’s still aimed at Z,” Sparky pipes up from the couch in the back. “Lilly’s got all the power if she’s doing the pegging, so it’s a compliment, really.”

“Thanks for the riveting TED Talk, Professor Powerbottom,” Dex quips.

Birch starts slow-clapping. “I feel enlightened and empowered now. Thanks, Sparky.”

“You’re welcome.” Sparky throws two middle fingers in the air and kicks his feet up on the coffee table.

“My worldview has truly been shifted,” Hustler adds.

Rock heaves a long breath. “If Idotake Priest’s place at National, does that mean these charming clusterfucks are all yours, Z?”

“Hah!” Z claps his hands and points at Rock. “I knew you’d come around. Fuck, yeah.”

“Simmer down,” Rock says. “No one knows what Priest actually wants.”

Once the laughter dies down and Rock reins everyone back in, he goes around the table, asking for updates.

Dex mentions needing help at Crystal Ball.

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