Page 126 of Hale Yes
“See? She’s smart.”
“I’m going to hire her a lawyer.”
Phoenix releases what I recognize as hisoh for fuck’s sakesigh. “No. You’re not. She’s being investigated for a crime against our family’s company. It would be a conflict of interest for you to hire an attorney for her.” He pats my hand. “But I can recommend someone for her.”
I turn my head to look at my brother. “Sometimes I forget you’re a lawyer.”
He rolls his eyes. “Appreciate that, bro. Makes those seven years I spent in college totally worth it.”
“Sorry,” I mumble. “I just don’t see you doing lawyer shit very often. Who is the best in Houston? Actually, who’s the best in the state?”
Phoenix thinks for a minute. “If it were me, I’d pick Lina Davidson. She eats opposing counsel for lunch. She was a year ahead of me in law school, and she was top of her class.”
“That’s who I want.”
My twin shakes his head. “You know it’s not your decision, right? Has Nicolette even answered any of your texts?”
“No,” I grumble. “She hasn’t even read them.”
“Probably has you blocked.”
“You’re not helping,” I snap before softening my tone. “Would you text her and give her Lina’s name?”
“I’m not sure that’s the best idea since I’m also employed by the company, but I could get Mom to pass along the name.”
I frown. “I was really hoping to not tell Mom about this. She adores Nic.”
“She does,” he agrees. “Mom is going to kick your ass.”
Rolling my head to the left, I give him my best glare. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”
“Actually, no. I just dropped off Reecie at Perri’s new place for a sheepover, so I’m free.”
“A…sheepover?”
“Yep, it’s like a sleepover, but they wear sheep pajamas and eat sheep, which is really just cotton candy with raisins for eyes.”
A small smile tests itself on my lips for a brief second. “That’s cute.”
Phoenix stands and ruffles a hand through my dirty hair. “If you promise to take a shower, I’ll come stay with you tonight. We can have our own sheepover. What color cotton candy do you want?”
I’m touched by the gesture, but I don’t want to be around anyone right now, not even my twin. I simply want to sit in the dark and be miserable, like I deserve.
“Thanks, brother, but I don’t feel like having company tonight.”
“Just want to wallow in wretchedness and your own rancid smell?”
I sniff an armpit. “I’m not that bad.”
“You’re not that good either. Go shower. With soap.”
I’m a little ashamed to be a grown man whose brother has to tell him how to shower like I’m a seven-year-old boy, so as soon as he leaves, I go upstairs and take a shower. With soap.
When I’m done, I have to admit I feel better, on the outside anyway. After dressing in a pair of black-and-white athletic shorts, I go to my study and check my emails, finding one from an address I don’t recognize, but it makes my face break into a genuine smile for the first time since Friday. The domain name is one I’ve never heard of, but I know this is Nicolette by the username portion: TheSleepySangriaQueen.
I’ve never clicked on an email so quickly in my life. My chest deflates when I see the words typed in the body of the e-mail.
Fuck you, Dr. Hale.
