“There’s a dress code?” I cast a glance over my gray Henley, faded, ripped jeans, and boots, wondering what the fuck the dude is on about.
“We’re undercover, duh.”
“Dude, I have tinted windows. No one will even know it’s us let alone see what we’re wearing.” Heat seeps into my thigh from the bag, and I toss it back at my buddy as he sets two coffees in the cupholders. “You’re late.”
“Sorry.” He smirks, rustling the bag as he rummages in it. “Ran into a girl on the way out. She blew me in the alley behind my apartment building and I lost track of time.” Removing a paper box, he hands it to me. “Peace offering.”
I open the lid, inspecting the grease-laden burger. “No, thanks.” I pass it back to him, gesturing at myself. “This body is a temple, and I don’t infect it with that coronary-inducing shit.” I’m careful what I eat, and I work hard to maintain a certain level of fitness. A healthy body helps to fuel a healthy mind. There are many things I can’t control about my life, but I can control this.
“Suit yourself, asshole. More for me.”
“Didn’t you eat earlier?” I headed to the boxing club straight from school, and I know Crusher went to the diner with a few of the others after their workouts.
“Pussy doesn’t count.” He flashes me a grin before taking a massive chunk of his burger. I return my attention to the Hawthorne residence, watching as Kendall’s red SUV comes into view at the end of the road. Grabbing a coffee, I gulp back a mouthful, instantly grimacing as the semi-warm bitter taste hits the back of my throat. Crusher chuckles. “We can’t conduct a stakeout without nasty coffee and greasy burgers. You always see cops doing that in shows.”
“You’re an idiot.” There is no heat in my tone because Crusher is one of the good guys, even if he is a bit of a clown at times. Kendall pulls into her driveway, alongside her husband’s brand-spanking-new Mercedes, and kills the engine. “Remind me again why I asked you to do this with me?”
“Because you need backup and I’m just that awesome,” he says before stuffing half the burger in his mouth.
My heart beats erratically in my chest as she climbs out of her car. She looks fucking beautiful, as usual, and desire surges through my veins. Normally, she wears her long, blonde hair loose and wavy—it’s my favorite look on her. But she styles her hair differently for the office, either wearing it in a high ponytail or an elegant chignon, like she’s sporting now, and her confident businesswoman persona turns me on like you wouldn’t believe. Her fitted pink wool coat hugs her soft curves, and the belt tied around her middle emphasizes her slender waist. The hem of her pencil skirt is just visible under the coat. Slim, shapely legs are encased in sheer pantyhose and she’s wearing glossy black high heels.
She’s my every fantasy come to life, and my heart aches to be with her.
Opening the back door, she bends over, retrieving a bulging briefcase and her purse.
Crusher whistles under his breath as he watches her. “That is one hot sexy mama. I’d do her.”
I jerk my elbow into his ribs, and he almost chokes mid-bite. “Watch it. That’s my best friend’s mom.”And the woman I’m obsessing over. The one I’m madly, stupidly in love with.
“No way, man.” His eyes almost bug out of his head as he leans forward in his seat. “That’s the woman the dude is cheating on?”
I nod tersely.
“Is he blind or insane? Who in their right mind would cheat on a woman like that?”
My sentiments exactly. “He’s a stupid prick, but it will be his loss, not hers.”
“Does West know we’re doing this?” he asks after Kendall has disappeared through the front door of her house.
I shake my head. “Like I said, I don’t want to involve him. If what I suspect is true, this will kill him.”
“It sucks, man,” he says, after finishing his burger. He dabs sauce from the corner of his mouth with a paper napkin before wiping his oily fingers. “What’ll you do if we find evidence of cheating?”
I glance over my shoulder to the back seat, where my Nikon camera rests. “Document it and then consider my next move.” I’m unsure where to go from there. I only just got Kendall to agree to be friends and I promised I wouldn’t interfere or mention her marriage. So, I can’t turn around and explain how I spied on her husband and found confirmation he’s cheating. I suspect she already knows. If she does, then I’m not sure this will make any difference, but I have to try. She wouldn’t approve of me doing this, but I’ve got to do something. Maybe looking at the physical proof of his betrayal will spur her into action. Thinking of her remaining married to that asshole ignites a tidal wave of rage I usually only feel for my father.
“Is that the douche?” Crusher asks, kicking his booted feet up on the dash, as Curtis emerges from the house.
“That’s him,” I growl, clenching my fists. I start up the engine as he climbs behind the wheel of his Merc.
“He looks like a slimeball.”
“I have always thought so.” Tugging my ballcap down lower over my head, out of habit more than necessity, I wait a few seconds before pulling out onto the road behind West’s dad.
Crusher turns the radio on low as we trail Curtis for twenty minutes. He pulls up in front of a three-story townhouse a couple of miles from the UCCS campus, parking at the curb, directly underneath a street lamp.
“Shit.” Crusher presses his nose to the tinted window as the front door of the townhouse opens and three brunettes walk out. “I think I know one of them.”
“Which one?” I ask, snatching my camera from the back seat as Curtis exits the car and heads toward the women.
