“Levi is your partner?” I asked with a side-squint, hoping I hadn’t got it wrong.
“Yes. He’s good friends with Larry’s partner, Todd. They were actually roommates for a bit. Long story.”
“Oh, gotcha.” I said their names in my head a few times, hoping to remember them. “So, tell me a bit about your business, what do you do? Grant said Larry’s a broker, but…I honestly don’t know what that means.”
“Exactly what it sounds like. I broker business. Advise people on investments. That sort of thing.”
“He’s being modest,” Hudson threw in. “He’s really good and commands top percentage fees for commissions.”
“Plus, I know what’s a good investment and how to avoid risk, so my personal portfolio is not shabby.”
“Not at all.”
“In fact, our latest venture has been incredible. It’s not putting out huge returns right now as far as money, but what it’s doing for the environment is worth every penny.” He shook Hudson’s shoulder. “Thanks to this guy.”
“What? Environment? Is it something like sustainable energy?”
“Sort of. Well, one of the first businesses I invested in was LiDAR Tech. That was cutting-edge at the time and fueled my passion for environmental tech. Pun intended.”
“Har-har,” Larry scoffed.
But then Hudson told me about the new company, which had some solar and wind tech but was more focused on oceanicresources, with a lot of the technology still in development. It sounded like something I should get involved in for karma if nothing else. Driving a race car burnt through a lot of fossil fuel.
We chatted more about some of their interesting investments, and I shared some about my racing career. It was nice to get to know new people, and these guys seemed kind and willing to introduce me to others. They were very connected.
“Listen, Vince. It can be difficult moving into a new place like this when you don’t know anyone. You should come to our club sometime and meet some other people.” He pulled a card out of his wallet.
Afterglow.
Hmm… second card passed to me. Maybe I did need to go check it out. But not until after I moved into the new house. Too much going on. But things were looking up.
Chapter four
June
Crow went on some stupid camping trip and came back with a new boyfriend. And he wasn’t even a little. He looked familiar, might have seen him here at Afterglow before, but definitely not a regular.
Fuck him.
Last week, after getting blown off, I went to a dark corner and pouted, but if I couldn’t have Crow for a daddy, this twink sure didn’t deserve him either. Who the fuck was he anyway? Then I went to their table and tried to sway Crow with an apology, but somehow, without saying a word, he won again. Sure, my apology was fake, but damn. That guy got up, walked out, and Crow followed him, after shooting me a dirty look. What the fuck? Well. If they broke up—fine by me.
And now, a week later, here they were, walking in together and straight out to the dance floor. And what the fuck was he wearing? Leather booty shorts? He tossed his head back and laughed, hanging on to Crow like he was James fucking Bond or something. The Spy Who Fucked Me or whatever. I wasn’t having that.
I walked right up to them and thrust my hip out. “Can I cut in?”
“No. Overruled. Daddy Crow is taken. Move along.” He flicked his fingers at me. Was he some kind of lawyer or something?Overruled?
I knew when I was outmatched. Fuck my life. I turned and marched off, heading for the door. No way was I going to stick around and watch Crow fuck around with Mr. Lawyer Boy while I sulked.
It wasn’t even like I had a relationship with Crow in the first place. He’d never given me a chance. No one had. No one would.
I stopped at the liquor store on the way home and picked up a bottle of Tito’s. I didn’t normally drink much, but I’d kind of had it. Enough was enough. I needed to seriously shut the fuck off.
At home, I slid the bottle on the counter, searched for a shot glass, and poured the first of many.
Move in day.
Excited was an understatement. My designer had hired the best contractor, and they stayed on schedule. It wasn’t a huge renovation anyway, but I was happy with the results. This place was mine, and as my new friends and their partners helped me move shit in, it was beginning to feel like home.
