Baewatch - Xavier Neal Page 0,22

still give one about him. Our relationship is often like the one between the defense and prosecutor, keeping us at opposite ends for many things, yet as soon as court’s adjourned, we’re grabbing drinks from the same bar. Shootin’ the shit about sports. Appreciating the great set of tits on the bartender. We may not be ideal brothers, but we’re always there for each other.

It was his encouragement to truly distance myself from the old me when I finally decided to move on from her, the ex that wasn’t quite an ex. He hated the idea of me growing my hair yet pushed for me to do it anyway. Holds disgust over my choice in vehicle but helped me get a great deal on ditching my Lexus. And, he even came down for tequila-filled fun the first three weekends post that ending despite the hellish week he had been having at work.

He had my back.

And, whenever ocean wind comes to rock…I have his.

Harrison offers me a warm smile. “For once, I’m glad I was wrong. I believed you’d never fully move on from her.”

“Who’s her?” April questions in the background.

“That you’d subconsciously pine after her forever.”

“Is it the chick you brought to our wedding?”

No name and worse, no face is popping up in regards to her description.

“That if she ever came back-”

“She’s never coming back to me, Harrison.” The words are bitter and sour as they always are when I say them, yet this time I don’t mind their potent flavor. I have something sweeter and stronger settling in my life. “And, hand to the board?”

He nods.

“I’m more than fucking okay with that.”

His eyes widen to the size of the sun.

“So, you better hope you didn’t fuck this shit up for me with Brooklyn,” my tone and gaze grow firm. “Or you will not like how the tides are turned, counselor.”

Harrison understandingly nods, this time in a haste. “Lunch tomorrow?”

“Maybe.” I swallow down the dread that’s beginning to fester in my throat. “Gotta see if I can fix this shit with Brooklyn first.”

“Let me know if I can help.”

“Oh, I think you and the social shamer have done quite enough.”

“How was I supposed to know she wasn’t the help?!” April squeaks.

“You can’t call them that,” my brother grumbles in route towards her. “We’ve been over this. It’s just a lawsuit in the making.”

Story of her life.

Maybe that’s why she married an attorney to begin with?

“Need I remind you of the literal lawsuit we faced with Rodriguez?”

“Ugh, don’t start with me, Harrison,” she huffs and stomps away towards the door. “It’s bad enough you’re all trying to make me the villain in this situation instead of the victim.” She quickly turns the handle to continue her dramatic exit. “Like I’m some sort of bitch for assuming what I thought was the obvious, instead of some misspoken sweetheart who thought she was helping a poor defenseless servant from becoming a sexual harassment case…Like I’m…”

Her voice begins to thankfully fade into the night, and my brother grumbles upon his passing me, “Guess this little shit fit she’s having and will continue to have well past midnight is my punishment for fucking up your night.”

My chortle is low and hearty. “Karma’s a beauty.”

“Bitch,” Harrison grunts his counter. “The correct term is bitch, brother.”

As soon as the front door shuts with him on the other side, I lock it and the deadbolt, just in case he thinks sleeping in my guest bedroom would be better than the suite couch I’m sure April’s going to push him to stay on.

I let out a deep, defeated sigh and toss my attention to Houndrix. “What do you think? Should we call her? Text her? Try to explain what the hell just happened?”

He opens one eye like my line of questioning is outrageous.

Yeah.

He’s right.

Probably should wait until the morning to reach out.

It’ll give her some space and me some adequate time to decide just how much of what’s underneath my metaphorical wetsuit I’m willing to show.

Chapter 3

Frustration flourishes, igniting the low ringing already in my ear to increase in volume.

First the text a few minutes ago about Rina getting a hefty fine for tanning topless on a non-nude beach that just so happens to be in our city’s limits, meaning she wants to see if I can get it erased because of my position, followed suspiciously close by one of our new recruits inquiring about policy regarding being caught in compromising positions with patrons while on the clock, and