Page 63 of Tapped

I look back at the house that’s seen no activity since this morning.

After I showered and raced back to the office, a call was logged on the wire. They talked about Adder getting killed, the attempted heist, and how it was too hot for them to go back to the house to get their money.

They’re pissed. They should be.

Hell, I’m pissed too. This puts me five steps back from where I scraped and crawled to get. I just located that damn house.

I don’t respond to Brax.

He switches the station to a sports podcast and turns up the volume.

Any other day, it would have my undivided attention, and I’d have more opinions than any armchair quarterback should.

But not today. I can’t handle the background noise.

I turn it off.

“Are you on your period?” Brax asks.

“Eat a bag of sweaty dicks,” I mutter back.

“Yep.” He sighs and shifts in the driver’s seat. “That time of the month for you. I didn’t realize you were so fragile. My apologies.”

I toss my cell to the center console and reach for my bottle of water. “Can we just sit here and stare at this damn house in silence?”

“I get it,” Brax keeps talking.

“Fuck me. He just won’t shut up,” I say to myself.

“You met someone,” he goes on. “It was different than it usually is. You actually put some effort into her. If I had to guess, you slept with her and you liked it.”

I roll my eyes.

“But it was more. You had a connection. That’s great. But it doesn’t always mean she will too. Everyone gets dumped at some point.”

I turn my glare on him.

“Everyone but me. I’ve never been dumped. Hell, Landyn was into me before she knew my real name—"

“Fuck you. I was not dumped.”

“It’s okay, Micah. You put yourself out there. That’s a big step. You made yourself vulnerable, and women like that. Well, most of them do. Apparently not the chick who dumped you. But the next one will. Or not. But you’ll find one who does eventually. Just don’t stop trying.”

“Who are you?”

“I’ll let Landyn know you won’t need a plus one for tomorrow.”

I look back out the window and mutter, “You’ve lost it.”

“Someone broke your heart. I’m here for you, man.” He leans back in his seat. “I’m going to stop on the way home and get Landyn some flowers just because. You reminded me how much it sucks on the other side. My wife is the shit.”

“Let’s get something straight,” I growl. “I didn’t hook up with anyone. Yet. And no one fucking dumped me.”

My asshole partner pops a piece of gum into his mouth. “If you say so.”

“I’m not talking to you for the rest of the day. Not one fucking word. And if it weren’t for the Godfather thing, I’d boycott your house for every fiesta you throw from now until the end of time. Do not fuck with me, Cruz. I’m not in the mood.”

“You need some chocolate and a chick flick. You’ll be better in a few days.”

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