Harlow hated it when he was right.
Eyes open, he picked up his phone again.
LoveHarley: How do you tell the difference between helping someone because you want to be friendly and helping them because you want them?
That wouldn’t do, either.
Harlow was on his own.
LoveHarley: Woke up just now and wanted to let you guys know that you’re the best. Looks like I’m going to be staying in Aurora for longer than I thought… let’s plan a meet-up? Knot, can you take time off work to fly in? I’ll drink you under the table again. :P
Harlow expected no one to be on—it was half-past three in the morning, and most of the Single Dads had nine to fives and young children to care for. Even on the weekend, late nights were no longer a thing.
At least, for everyone except Knot, who began to type.
KnotMyProblem: It’s 3:30 in Aurora, H. You jet-lagged?
LoveHarley: Yeah, guess so
KnotMyProblem: I don’t think I can take off work. If you want, you can head to New York and I’ll put you up for a few days. I’m sure we can find you a seedy bar where you can pull a total Road House.
LoveHarley: ???
KnotMyProblem: Okay, it’s official. If you don’t know what Road House is, there is no way you’re a bouncer. Drug lord confirmed.
LoveHarley: I promise I’m not a drug lord :P
KnotMyProblem: AHA. But you didn’t promise you weren’t a mob boss. We have our answer, ladies and gentlemen.
Knot. Harlow grinned. Even with the uncertainty in his heart over the Simon situation, Knot’s playfulness helped him to feel better.
LoveHarley: You got me. They call me… The Smiler
KnotMyProblem: Is that like a knockoff Joker?
LoveHarley: It’s like if you took the Joker and inverted him
KnotMyProblem: So all your guts are on the outside?
Harlow had to bite his lip to keep from laughing.
LoveHarley: That wasn’t what I meant, but we can roll with it
KnotMyProblem: You’re disgusting
LoveHarley: When you’re a mob boss, you do what you gotta do
KnotMyProblem: So, your hit went wrong in Aurora, I’m guessing?
LoveHarley: You could say that.
KnotMyProblem: Well, if anyone can figure it out, it’ll be you. And if you need help, all of us are here for you.
LoveHarley: Thanks, Knot. :)
There was movement down the hall—Simon, most likely. No longer bogged down by exhaustion, his footsteps were normalized. Light, quiet, timid. Harlow listened to them progress, then noticed another light flick on. Simon had gone into the bathroom.
LoveHarley: So… it may be 3:30 in Aurora, but it’s 4:30 in NYC. What’s going on that you’re up so early?
