Five Ways to Fall (Ten Tiny Breaths, #4)(60)

“I thought you were dead in a ditch somewhere,” Nate’s deep voice rumbles.

It’s always fun to watch a new person take in Nate’s size for the first time. Reese does not disappoint, her eyes widening as they scan the head of security at Penny’s. I don’t blame her. The guy is almost three hundred pounds of solid muscle. It was Nate who sat me down in a hard plastic chair and hammered me with question after question before even letting me meet Cain for a job. The sheer size of him—bigger than any left tackle I ever played with during college ball—kept my mouth shut beyond simple “yes” and “no” answers.

I clasp hands with him. “I know, man. This day gig is killing me right now. Steep learning curve.” I’m used to seeing him every night, but aside from a quick phone call and a few texts, I haven’t talked to him in weeks. One of a few downfalls to growing up and moving on. “Nate, this is Reese.” I pull her tight to me again. “She’s my date.”

“Date?” He chuckles. “I guess you don’t know Ben very well yet.”

She doesn’t miss a beat. “He lied and used medicinal narcotics to bribe me into coming here, so I think I have him pretty well pegged.”

Nate’s head falls back as a deep bellow of laughter escapes him, earning more than a few curious looks. “Where’d you two meet?”

Tilting her head slightly to the side as she eyes me, I see the devilish smile curling her lips. “I work at Warner.”

“Lawyer?”

“Yes. Soon to be partner. In fact, I’m training him.” It should probably bother me that she’s openly lying to one of my best friends, but I’m actually amused. She’s convincing, too.

Another big grin from Nate. It seems that Nate’s got a lot of big grins for Reese. “And how’s our boy doing?”

“To be honest, he’s a little slow. I’m not sure he’ll make it.”

Well, it’s good to see she’s gotten over her initial discomfort.

Another roar of laughter from Nate has me holding my hands up in surrender as a flash of red whizzing past catches my eye. “All right, you two. You have all night. Don’t tire yourselves out early at my expense. Kacey!” I holler, waving at the feisty siren, the only woman I’ve ever considered committing to. If she wasn’t already practically married to Trent, that is.

“What?” she snaps as she rushes over. But she quickly tempers that with a kiss on my cheek before grabbing my beer from my hand and taking a long swig of it.

“You look hot.”

That gorgeous face of hers splits into a wide smile. I still can’t get enough of those; they were so few and fake when I first met her. “Now’s not the time to hit on me. I’ve got to get back to the bride. Wait until later, when Trent’s around and can kick the shit out of you, okay?”

I chuckle as she hands me my beer, remembering the night a few years back that Trent and I got loaded and I, like the complete jackass that I am, mentioned what happened between Kacey and me in the women’s locker room at the gym, way back when. I only meant it as a compliment for what he’s got.

Trent’s got a solid right hook when he’s pissed.

Turning to level Reese with those crystal-blue eyes, Kacey wastes no time asking, “Who’s this?”

“Reese. Wedding hostage.” Reese’s deceptively delicate hand juts out.

“And your new best friend,” I add. “You both like to break my balls, so I figure you’ll get along well.” With her sharp wit and temper, Reese actually reminds me a lot of Kacey, so I think they’ll either be fast friends or tear each other’s hair out in a catfight. Either would be entertaining to witness.

Kacey’s face lights up. “Sounds about right. I’ve got tons of unflattering pictures to make you reconsider being here with him. We’ll bond over Ben’s misery later.”

“Perfect.” I knew that night was going to come back to bite me in the ass.

With lightning-fast reflexes—Kacey used to spend hours at the gym kickboxing—she reaches up and pinches my nipple through my shirt before stalking away, that evil cackle of hers filling the air.

“I swear, between the two of you, I’m going to be in the hospital soon,” I mutter, rubbing my chest.

From somewhere behind us, the violinist begins playing music, signaling the need to sit. Nate leans in, out of Reese’s earshot, and murmurs, “Sounds like Mercy was really looking forward to seeing you today.”

“Fuck,” I mutter, shaking my head and then heaving a sigh. “She knows me better than to expect something.”

Nate’s severe glare—the whites of his big eyes a stark contrast to his ebony skin—lets me know that excuse isn’t going to fly. “Well, it’s looking like she doesn’t, so you better straighten that shit out. Just because you’re not working for Cain anymore doesn’t mean I won’t beat your ass.”

He’s not kidding, either. Both Nate and Cain take a special interest in making sure people don’t take advantage of the dancers at Penny’s. Best friend or not, good intentions or not, I’m going to end up with two black eyes over this, even if I wasn’t the one showing up in anyone’s bedroom.

“Got it, man. Trust me, that’s over.”