“Mhm.”
I cross one leg over the other, waiting for him to finish.
“The paper has to be redacted and shredded to a pulp. The tablet, I can just erase. It would be so much simpler.”
I stare at him, and when he pauses for at least ten seconds, I ask, “Are you finished?”
Kade sighs heavily and hangs his head, and I wait for him to either continue talking about the damn tablet or finally hand over the perfect little folder I know he has in his bag.
Because he knows better than to show up with just a tablet.
After thirty seconds, he swivels in the chair, pulls his bag into his lap, and then slaps a folder into my hands.
“This is the last time,” he says.
“No, it isn’t.”
I bring the freshly printed papers to my nose and inhale deeply, and when I realize they’re still warm, I press the paper to my cheek, making Kade glare at me.
“I don’t understand your love for paper,” he says, swiveling the chair back to the monitors.
“It’s so soft when it’s fresh,” I say just to annoy him.
“I hate you,” he grunts.
I chuckle and finally look at the papers in front of me, eyes scanning the first page. “Something about holding it in my hands helps me comprehend it better,” I explain. “I’d love to have a better explanation for you.”
“Mhm,” he says, mocking me.
I snicker and flip through, looking for Bonnie’s name. “Okay, fine. I’ll try next time—Wait. I don’t see…” My eyes narrow as I turn page after page, only seeing those six letters twice. “Where’s Bonnie’s report?”
“On the tablet,” he says smugly.
Only my eyes roll up to him, finding a victorious look on his face. “You ass,” I say.
“Okay, well, now that we’re even…” He strikes a few keys and brings up his first screen on Reed. “First up is our lovable pup,” he says with a fond smile. “I think he’s my favorite.”
A quiet laugh leaves me. “Yeah? I thought you’d like Zeb,” I say as I flip over a few pages. “What’s up with Reed? Hard to believe he has too much going on—besides his wife’s trouble.”
“Speaking of Wren, she has a nasty big sister,” he says.
“What’s big sis Sarah doing now?” I ask, mildly annoyed that we’re dealing with her after every wall Reed asked to be put up between them and her. “I thought we had that restraining order settled.”
“Mostly shit-talking,” Kade says. “Claiming Reed has her brainwashed. Swearing that he’s cheating on her. She even has ‘evidence’ of him supposedly.”
“What, is she trying to turn his false infidelity into a podcast or something?” I ask.
“She claims it’s to protect her sister.”
“And who exactly does she believe Reed is cheating on her with?”
“The tour manager.”
I snort. “Seriously? Stella?” I nearly roll my eyes. “I get being protective of family, but this is a reach,” I say. “Maybe we need to remind her of that cease and desist letter legal sent the last time, get Heartless involved.”
“Did someone go in person the last time?” Kade asks.
“No, just the mail,” I reply.
