Page 75 of Real Forever
Zach narrowed his eyes. “You don’t take mornings off.”
“I know.” Jake handed Zach his coffee. “But I have something more important to do today.” He took a deep breath. “Zach, thank you. Everything you said last night, you were right. I don’t know how long it would have taken me to realize if you hadn’t said everything you said. You’re a real friend.”
Zach smiled. “Dude, you’re welcome.” He reached across the table and punched Jake’s bicep. “I know you’d do the same for me.”
The guys dug into their breakfasts and Jake continued. “I need to fix this, and I think I know how to start. What are you doing today? Would you be up for helping me?”
“Of course. What’s your plan?”
Jake explained the entire story of Lauren and NorAsana to Zach. How he and Madison had started spending time together to catch Tammy doing something they could blackmail her with and how Jake had refused to do it when Madison asked.
“Ho. Ly. Fuck. Bro, I would have never guessed you’d be able to sneak off to do some sketchy shit like that. I’m impressed.”
Jake laughed. “Well, don’t get too impressed. I chickened out when it was actually time to do something with the pictures.”
“Yeah, I don’t know. I get why Madison was upset, but I get why you said no too. It’s a pretty big ask to, like, commit a crime for someone.”
“I have to talk to Tammy and get her to reimburse Lauren for the NorAsana expenses that put her in debt. If I can get the money Lauren needs, maybe Madison will give me another chance.”
Zach reached out for a fist bump. “Let’s do it.”
* * *
“Yo,is this another one of Madison’s playlists?” Zach bobbed his head to the music playing in Jake’s car.
“Yeah, you like it?”
“Dude, you gotta keep this girl around so she can keep floating us these bomb ass playlists.”
Jake laughed.
Turning down Golden Mile, Zach scoffed. “Of course that bag would live down here. Which one is hers?”
Jake pointed up the road. “This one. Up on the left.”
“What are you going to say to her?”
“I don’t know. I was thinking about trying to pretend to be a lawyer, but I’m not a good enough liar. Maybe I’ll just tell her the truth. Say I’m a friend and she owes her money and I’ll get a lawyer if she doesn’t say yes.”
“Are you going to show her the pictures?”
Jake shook his head. “I don’t know. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
Instead of turning onto a side road, this time Jake pulled into Tammy’s driveway. As usual, there were several cars parked along the long, looping driveway. Jake parked behind the last one.
“Wish me luck,” Jake said as he pulled his gloves on.
“You don’t need luck, dude. You’ve got this.”
Jake grinned at Zach and reached for the door handle. But before he could open it, Tammy stepped out of her front door in a champagne colored silk robe hitting right above her knee.
“Shit. Is that her?” Zach asked.
“Yeah,” Jake nodded.
Zach motioned with his chin toward the door. “And so, that’s the guy?”
A man stepped out behind Tammy and wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her off the ground. Tammy responded by hopping her legs up around his hips while the man lowered his grip to her ass.
