“Two grand each for my friends, five hundred to expedite it, plus the supplies,” she said thoughtfully.
“And how much will they cost me?” Owen asked, seeing the glint in her eyes.
“They’ll run about another five hundred,” she admitted.
“If I’m adding correctly, it comes out to fivegrand,” Owen said, smiling, catching on to her little game.
“Duh, the other grand belongs to me for Dillon starting a rumor in gym class, we slept together.”
Sighing, he leaned over and punched Dillon in the arm. “You’re paying her the grand.”
“How do you know I started the rumor?” Dillon asked, challenging her.
“Because I caught you watching me skinny dipping in Old Man Grover’s pond. The next day, the rumors started about you sleeping with me and mentioning my strawberry birthmark.”
“It proves nothing,” he said vehemently. “You can’t tack on fees for something which happened years ago,” he denied.
“You only wished for a chance with me,” Charlotte narrowed her eyes. “I never liked cliques, and you tried too hard to fit in with the popular crowd. I liked you before you manufactured the ginormous lie.”
Dillon seemed uncomfortable as he took out his wallet and counted out the bills. “Does anyone have another fifty?” he asked, holding up the cash.
“It’ll do for now,” she said, stuffing the funds inside her bra. “I’ll call my friends. The faster they claim his body, the better chance we have to collect evidence.”
She walked out of the office with her ponytail swinging behind her. “I’m checking on my patient.Whoever’s in charge of cooking, the chicken’s burning.”
Mason cursed and ran from the room. Smoke filled the hallway as Owen shook his head.
“Before we run out of money, do you want to tell us any other wrongs you’ve committed against this woman? It seems she has a good memory,” Owen growled at his brother.
Dillon seemed embarrassed as he put his hands in his pockets. “How could I possibly know she’d remember everything from high school?” he exclaimed. “She’s always got her head in books. I didn’t think she’d remember me.”
“Don’t even get near her. She drained me of all my cash,” Owen said. “I’ll stay with Leslie. Cade, you and Wyatt start the fight at the bar. He’s jumping out of his skin. We’ll be addressing this soon, brother, and if you don’t find a way to deal with your problem, you won’t like my idea of detox,” he threatened.
“What about Mr. Williby?” Cade asked. “I can’t stay here permanently. I need to return to my job.”
“Yeah, I can imagine how much more important it must be to have all the women on the East Coast vying to see the outline of your shlong,” Elias said, laughing. “You’re performing a real community service these days.”
“Shut up before I pound you,” Cade threatened.
“I bet you say that to all the women,” Dillon joined in.
“Have you seen him sashaying on the runway? He might be saying it to some of the men, too.” Elias said, pulling out his phone.
Cade leaped over the chair to strangle his little brother as Owen and Dillon laughed and pulled them back from one another.
“Come on,” Owen said in his parent voice. “We have someone who needs some reassurance. He’s a bit upset about Leslie. Give me a minute while I talk to Tucker, and then it’s time you meet our brother.”
The men shuffled out and he found Charlotte playing cards with the boys.
“May I see you in the office?” he asked Tucker.
The young boy rose, wiped his hands on his pants, and followed Owen into the room.
“Your mom has an infection, but we have her on antibiotics. She’ll feel better soon,” he assured him as he took the seat opposite Tucker.
The young man sighed in relief. “Can I see her?”
“Yes, you can see her. She’ll probably sleep for a while. I wanted to ask you about what your mom told you about me,” he said gently.
