CHAPTER 3
Paxon
The fuck was that?
I press my forehead to my steering wheel, still coming down from that interaction. I’ve had my share of hot and dirty hookups, but nothing like that before. I was all set to say no, but that dude’s eyes had me locked in, and before I knew it, I had my tongue down his throat and my dick in his hand.
Fuck.
I really needed it though, and I’ll never see him again, so it’s all good. He said he didn’t even really know who I was, and I believed him. I can always tell when people are bullshitting me. Nope. He just wanted to get off with me and go. Efficient.
At least I’ll get some decent sleep tonight once I check in with Boone. Speaking of…
“Call Boone.”
My online system replies, “Calling Boone.”
The line rings three times until he finally answers, settling some of my unease.
“Hey, Pax.”
“Where are you?”
“Home.”
“Really?”
“Yep. Swear.”
“And where is home these days?”
“Found a place on the south side of Mistone. It’s a studio, but it’s clean and safe enough.”
I bite my tongue to hold back my lingering concerns. “How’s the job going?”
“Not bad. You know it’s under the table, but I get paid weekly and it’s enough to cover my needs.”
“Do you need?—”
“No. I don’t want your goddamn money,” he snarls.
It’s a sore subject between us, but fuck me, I’m a multimillionaire over here while my only sibling is scraping by. There was a time when he took as much from me as he could, but now that he claims to be sober, he’s determined to go it alone, like some kind of stubborn pride thing. But I can relate. We share that trait.
“I just want to help if I can.”
“You do help, just by caring. I’m doing fine.”
“Then why didn’t you come tonight?”
“I told you. My job at work ran over and I didn’t want to come in super late. Great game, by the way. I caught the tail end.”
“Thanks. I’ll drop it if you promise me that you’ll tell me if you’re in trouble or need anything.”
“Jesus, Pax. I promise to tell you.”
My irritation ticks up slightly. After I’ve spent the better part of twenty years dealing with his shit, he has no room to be mad that I worry. I promised Mom, for fuck’s sake.
“Okay. Are you coming on Friday?”
