“And then her mom died and where were you?” Will continued. “Off at school.”
“Hey, Dad and Ma had me on a tight leash.”
“Yeah,” Eric huffed. “And they would have refused for you to come home and go to your ex-girlfriend’s mom’s funeral.”
“It was a different time,” I said frustratedly. “And when did this turn into all of you picking on me? I came here to share some good news and you’re all acting like I’m breaking up with her.”
“Well, you could save yourself some time and do just that,” Joe said. “Because if you think she’s going to move with you to the city, it’s not going to turn out the way you want.”
“I don’t believe this. I came here for support and instead all I get is you guys telling me what a jackass I am.”
“Well, think about it,” Eric snapped. “You live a different life than her. She never seems excited to go to the city. She doesn’t like it there. She goes for you, but can you honestly say that she’s comfortable in that monstrosity you call an apartment? It’s sterile and gives me the hives.”
“Yeah, why do you think none of us ever go there?” Joe asked.
“You guys don’t like my place?”
Will’s eyebrows shot high. “Are you kidding me? That’s the place souls go to die.”
“What are you talking about? I have an excellent view.”
“That you can only see from the top of the building,” Andrew pointed out. “Once you walk outside, it’s crowded and noisy.”
I shook my head in disbelief. “The next thing you know, you’ll be telling me you hate my car too.”
“We do,” they all chimed in.
“And your phone,” Eric added. “I hate that fucking thing.”
“I would pay big money to see you toss that thing in a river,” Will laughed.
“I’m not on my phone all the time,” I argued.
“Like hell you’re not. I haven’t seen you once put away your phone during poker night.”
As if on cue, my phone buzzed on the table. I quickly snatched it and slid it into my pocket, but not before reading the screen to find out who was texting me. It was my client, and I really needed to get it, but if I got it now, I would be proving their point.
“Whatever. I have a job that requires me to be on call.”
“There’s such a thing as business hours,” Will pointed out. “Tell your clients to contact you during that time unless it’s an emergency. But frankly, I’m not sure how a divorce attorney could have an emergency.”
“You know what? Fine. It’s in my pocket and it’ll stay there the rest of the night.”
“Right,” Eric laughed. “We’ll see about that.”
“I can do it.”
“Sure,” Joe grinned.
“I can. I can give it up any time I want.”
“Spoken like a true addict,” Andrew nodded.
I glared at him and finished my beer. “I’m going to the bathroom, and when I get back, my money better still be there.”
“Because you would notice if one of your millions went missing?” Joe teased.
“I don’t make millions,” I threw over my shoulder as I headed for the bathroom. As soon as I was inside, I pulled out my phone and checked the message. Damnit, my client’s wife had evidence of his infidelity, which would invalidate the prenup. I needed to get on this now or he would be fucked. I typed out a quick message and washed my hands. When I yanked open the door, my brothers were all leaning against the wall and grinning at me. Eric held out his hand, motioning for me to hand it over.
“What?”
“The phone.”
“What are you talking about?”
“We didn’t hear any piss,” Joe said.
“I’m a quiet pee-er.”
“Yeah, and I shit cotton balls,” Andrew retorted.
They all continued to stare at me, so I pulled out my phone and handed it over. Unfortunately, the screen lock hadn’t activated yet and Eric quickly scanned through my messages.
“Well, well, well, looks like someone didn’t even last five minutes. Looks like it’s pay day, boys!”
I shoved past them and snatched my jacket off the back of my chair. “Fuck off. I have to take care of this.”
I opened the door to walk out when Will called after me, “So, should we expect a housewarming invite? Would you prefer steak knives or a shot gun?”
I flipped them off and kept walking.
Anna
I was busy finishing up filing some paperwork when the office door opened. I turned to see Mr. Bradley standing in the doorway. He was an older gentleman, probably around seventy or