Page 13 of Bone Deep

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I see red.

And then…

Unknown:Fine. Relax, bro. It’s Butters.

I blink at the screen. Butters? My head tips back, thunking lightly against the cool glass behind me.

Ryan.

What in the ever-living fuck?

My thumbs fly.

Me:

A.) Never call me bro again.

B.) I’m not calling you Butters, RYAN.

C.) What do you want?

The bubbles come back to my dismay.

Then a drooling emoji.

“Fuck’s sake,” I mutter under my breath, already adding his contact so I know not to answer this man-child.

Another message comes through.

Jackass QB1:Are those all your exhibits, Counselor? Because I think you forgot the D. [wink emoji]

I close my eyes briefly.

He’s insufferable.

Me:Look, straighty, I have to get back to the office. What do you want? How did you even get my number?

Pushing off the building, I start walking, working my way through foot traffic toward my firm.

Jackass QB1:I got it from Anthony. Told him I needed some legal advice.

Another text lands before I can respond.

Jackass QB1:And that I was afraid to ask Jen

I slow, because now he’s speaking my language.

Landing the hottest quarterback in the country as a client would make the partners salivate.

God, I should not be entertaining this.

Me:Why didn’t you just say so. What advice do you need?

The bubbles rise. Disappear. Rise again.

My jaw ticks. I don’t like to be kept waiting.

Jackass QB1:Will you work out with me?

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