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Hell, it was probably a good thing she wasn’t looking for a relationship If circu their te more permanent

But he couldn’t His family situation was too delicate at the rief over the years He’d valiantly tried to be the son they needed hi one selfish decision after the other With hisfroain His dad would skin hi as Brett was, his folks would never approve of her Tattoos and bad-girl clothing aside, she was also younger than hiout babies His next relationship needed to be with a woive his parents the grandchildren they craved

After the choices he’d made in the past, he at least owed the to us"

Gage’s dry voice lured hiress

"Shit Sorry," AJ ht"

"I wonder why," Reed said e piped up

He stifled a sigh "So this new supplier," he proain?"

His friends yet again took pity on hian to outline his plan to start stocking the bar with higher-end liquor, exhibiting a savvy business sense that AJ still found jarring Growing up, Reed had been a troublemaker with a capital T, which hy AJ’s parents had forbidden hiround and continued to see the guy There’d been soive-theh, and AJ was proud of the mature, responsiblehard to h around the edges when AJ firstSkyler, Gage was s a lot more these days

"We also need to hire a few uy , and the bigger crowds are starting to stir up trouble"

"Dude, I’ up to cos keep up this e should think about opening another location Maybe in Portland, or Manhattan"

"You want to leave Boston?" AJ said in surprise

"Of course not" Reed shrugged "We could hire ato think about"

The offhand suggestion reminded AJ of Brett’s current situation, and he hoped for her sake that her father gave her a shot to prove herself It was plain to see that Jiirl and not the strong wo tied to Brett’s bed swiftly flashed toboner that sprang in his pants

"His eyes are glazing over again It’s definitely love"

Once hts "Jeez," he gru, his friend stood and tucked his papers under his ar equally arinned "You’ll have all the privacy in the world to jerk off to thoughts of your lady love"

AJ flipped theer, but neither hter and another display of gloating, insufferable smirks

Chapter Nine

Since the club was closed on Mondays, AJ headed to his parents’ place for dinner, armed with a bouquet of white roses for his mom and a bottle of Jack Daniel’s for his dad He knew they’d appreciate the gesture--his ht her flowers, and his poor dad was so stressed out playing the part of both bread earner and homemaker that he’d definitely welcome a stiff drink

As always, when he reached the house, dread and reluctance hardened in his chest like a block of ceered an even uilt