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As Tony scaled the front steps, Brent opened the front door "Good reeted "Come on in"

"Thanks," he said, as he looked around "Is Courtney here?"

"She is She’s kind of going a little crazy right now"

"I know you two h the house toward the kitchen "Cort, Tony’s here"

Although she greeted hi, volumes of unspoken questions filled the room with tension Tony didn’t like it He had very few people in his life that he considered true friends, and Brent and Courtney were on his short list

"So," Tony began "I thought you deserved to question me yourself--about the press release I’m sure it caet back froht"

The Simmonses looked at one another Finally, Courtney spoke, "I really don’t knohat to say I mean, seriously, what the hell?"

Tony pressed his lips together It was more direct than he’d anticipated

"I don’t understand," Courtney continued Her voice cracking as her volume increased "I wanted to help her and you forbade it!"

Brent squared his shoulders "Sorry, Tony, Courtney has a lot happening right now This caught us both off guard"

"No," Tony hastily replied "Don’t apologize for her" Turning to Courtney, he added, "You’re right You’re absolutely right I rong and I deserve everything you just said"

His friends sat silently as a bit of the tension eased After a few moments, Courtney wiped a tear from her cheek and offered, "Wow, I never expected to hear that from you"

Tony shook his head "I never expected to say it I think it was seeing her, talking to her--"

Courtney interrupted, "Wait, would you like some coffee? I think we need reed