Page 61 of Home Again

“Hey, I haven’t called yet.”

“I appreciate you looking out for me. I know you’ll make the call if you see him.”

She frowned. “You’re too trusting for your own good, do you know that?”

“That is so not true. But right now, I’m thinking you’re one of the good guys. I need a good guy.” Sebastian started back down the stairs again.

“You just bet on the right girl. I am one of the good guys.” Her smile was blinding.

* * *

Sebastian didn’t know if it was the stress, the cigarette smoke, or the constant clanging of the slot machines that were giving him a headache, but he was relieved that he would be outside the casino entrance soon, and that was when Gideon texted that he’d arrived. He felt himself relax when he saw his friend through the glass door. Okay, things would get better now. When he was just about to push the door to go outside, he stopped and actually chuckled. Who knew he could chuckle, but this would do it.

Gideon had attracted female attention...again. There were three women in very, very, short skirts who had surrounded the man. It didn’t matter that he was giving them his stone-faced look, they were doing their best to show off their cleavage and touch him with their long red and pink fingernails. He knew Gideon was uncomfortable as hell.

At last, something that was entertaining for the day.

The men of Omega Sky gave one another shit about their looks, their smarts, and their ability to pick up women, but Gideon Smith brushed all of that off. Yet, here he was being treated like a celebrity. He was a black man and an inch shorter than Sebastian, but a little broader in the chest, and Sebastian would bet money that one of the ladies had already commented on his cheekbones. They always talked about his cheekbones.

Sebastian laughed out loud when Gideon strode away and punched his phone.

He picked up the call.

“Where the fuck are you?”

“I’m sorry, I got distracted watching a show,” Sebastian said.

“What are you talking about?” Gideon practically shouted. “A woman has been kidnapped and you’re watching some woman taking off her clothes?”

Sebastian pushed the door and stepped outside. He lifted his hand. As soon as Gideon saw him, he gave him the finger and strode over to him.

“You think you’re funny?”

“Hey, I needed a little bit of comic relief, so sue me.” Sebastian looked over at the three women who were making their way over to them. “We better get to the truck before you get mobbed.”

“Fuck you, Durand.”

When they got to the truck, Gideon asked what was next.

“I’m thinking the Leather Library,” he said, and he started the engine.

“Hold up,” Gideon said. “We’re not dressed for it.”

“And how do you know?” Sebastian asked as he started to make his way out of the parking lot.

“I’m research, right? That place actually has a dress code. No jeans and a tie is required.”

Sebastian clenched his teeth. “Fine, let’s hit a mall.”

Gideon found a location for a mall and punched the address into the navigation system. Sebastian did the best he could to keep his speed under the speed limit, but it was tough.

“I’m going to make a call while we’re driving. At least that will seem more productive.”

Gideon was looking down at his own phone when he nodded.

Philly’s voice came on the line through the truck’s Bluetooth.

“Sebastian, have you found her?”