Chapter Five
Leaving Baz and JJ’s room, Reese letTesha lead the way to the elevator.He pressed the button and stood back, waiting for Brantley to catch up.He was there before thedingsounded, signaling the car’s arrival.
“You good?”he asked Brantley, making small talk.
“Yep.You?”
Smiling, Reese nodded as he stepped into the elevator.The doors had just closed, sealing them inside, when Reese’s phone buzzed with another text.He dug his phone out of his pocket and scanned the incoming message, fearing it was going to be another message from Slade.
Brantley leaned against the wall.“Who’s texting you?”
He nearly breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that it wasn’t Slade.
“This time it’s Atticus,” he answered as the doors opened to the lobby.
“This time?”
They walked toward the exit, then stepped out of the hotel into the muggy October morning.
“Slade texted while we were in their room.”Twice.But Reese didn’t bother to clarify that.The text message was bothersome enough.
“What does he want?”
He purposely misunderstood Brantley’s question, answering with, “Atticus says it’s important.It has to do with Violet’s father.”
“We can call him in the truck.What did Slade want?”
Because he didn’t think it was worth discussing, he changed the subject.“I need to swing through PetSmart on the way home.”
Brantley nodded as he walked around to the driver’s side of the truck.Reese helped Tesha in the backseat, then climbed into the passenger seat.
“Don’t think I didn’t notice you deflecting,” Brantley said, starting the truck.“What did Slade want?”
Reese considered lying but knew he couldn’t.
Brantley gripped the steering wheel as he looked over at him.“Is it bad?”
“Well, it’s certainly not good.”
“What does that mean?”
Exhaling heavily, Reese leaned into the seat.“Slade wants us to partner him with Atticus.”
Brantley scrunched his nose.“Why?”
Reese looked at him, cocking an eyebrow.Surely Brantley wasn’t oblivious to what was going on between Atticus and Slade.
“What?”Brantley glanced his way.“Why’re you lookin’ at me like that?”
“Slade’s jealous.”
“Of?”
“Atticus and Archer.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.That’s stupid.”
Maybe, but it was the only explanation Reese had for the number of texts he’d received from Slade asking him to realign the teams so that Slade could partner with Atticus.
