Extraits

I turned to the beautiful African American woman who smiled warmly at me. “I don’t think we’ve formally met. I’m Emory Jackson.” I extended my hand to her which she used to pull me into a hug.

“I’m Meredith Richmond,” she told me, pulling out of the embrace. “I’m happy you’re joining us today.”

The doorbell rang again, and Gabe went back downstairs to answer the door. I noticed the various expressions on the faces around me. Chaz looked nervous and rubbed his hands against the thighs of his jeans while Josh and Meredith looked hopeful. Just who the hell were they expecting? It was obvious by everyone’s reaction that he wasn’t the person they anticipated. Well, Josh’s huge smile and laughing eyes told me he knew it was a possibility and enjoyed watching Chaz and Meredith’s surprise. I wasn’t that curious about the newcomer until I saw their reactions.

My eyes widened slightly in surprise when I saw the dark-haired man with piercing blue eyes standing awkwardly next to Gabe with a bottle of wine in his hand. The guy wore dark jeans and an impeccably pressed, white dress shirt that was open enough to get a glimpse of dark chest hair. What stuck out to me the most wasn’t the clothes he wore, but the expression on his face. He looked wary, cynical, and a little lost—all things that I understood well. I felt a tiny little sliver of recognition and chalked it up to the fact that it appeared we both were going through a tough time in our lives.

“Guys, this is Jonathon Silver,” Gabe said. “He’s Nate’s twin brother. Jonathon Silver, this is Meredith, Chaz, and Emory.”

I wasn’t cut out to manage people. I easily killed enemies of the United States of America without blinking, but settling a dispute between two pissy bartenders, who were fighting each other over a club patron, was not my area of expertise. It would’ve been easier to take them out and make it look like an accident, but that wasn’t my life anymore. Besides, they weren’t an enemy to me or my country, and I drew the line at killing people just because they got on my nerves. I wasn’t a psychopath for fuck’s sake!

Two fucking days later, I could still hear those two dumbasses bickering in my office like two little kids while Michelle and I looked on.

“You’re just jealous because he gave me his phone number and not you,” Tyler had said to Jamar.

Jamar looked down at his nails as if the entire conversation was boring him. “I’ve had his phone number for a few weeks, jackass.” Jamar rolled his eyes dramatically. “You know what? You can have him because I don’t want a guy who has such pitiful taste in men.”

Tyler put his hands on his hips and cocked his head to the side. “Oh yeah, Jamar? I seem to recall that you liked how I tasted just fine. What happened to, ‘Oh, baby, you’re the best I’ve ever had’? I believe those words slid out of your mouth right after my cock did.”

“That was last week,” Jamar said with a casual shrug.

“Then why don’t you want me calling Brandon? Are you jealous?” Tyler demanded.

“Of you?” Jamar sounded like it was the most ridiculous thing he’d ever heard, but I wondered if Tyler might be right. Then I questioned why the fuck I even cared.

“That’s enough!” I yelled before Tyler could answer. Both men jumped a little and stiffened at the harsh tone I used. “I can’t believe I got called in here for some Knots Landing bullshit.” I could tell by their confused expression that they’d never heard of the show. I only knew because it had been my mother’s favorite. “Never mind,” I groused. “You two work out your problems after your shift is over. I don’t want to see you bring your personal shit in here again? Do you hear me?”

The two men glared at one another briefly before they responded to my question. “Yes, sir,” they said at the same time.

“For what it’s worth, I’m not sure how any of you had time to notice the patrons when you’re so busy eye fucking one another. Sort. It. Out. Fuck. It. Out. Just do it away from the club.”

Their faces flushed pink with embarrassment, but I noticed they dropped their pretenses when they looked at one another again.

“Do you want to come over after work?” Jamar asked Tyler.

“I’d love that, J.”

“There you go,” I said encouragingly. “Now get the fuck out of my office.”