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“Well, I guess I just assumed, what with the leave policies and enforced downtime and stuff that he was married and had a family.” Carson stuffed a huge mouthful of his salad in his mouth to stop himself from moaning when the plug started pulsing, sending tiny bursts repeatedly without stopping.

Matt and Sam laughed in unison, still apparently completely oblivious to Carson’s condition.

“Pal, that man is never getting married. ZIM Tech is his life. He’s too busy trying to be the best in the business,” Sam said.

“I’ve heard him say as much, that he’s got no interest in settling down with anyone. That he doesn’t have that kind of time,” Matt added.

Carson choked on a piece of his chicken as a particularly strong pulse sent sparks through his system.

“Oh,” he managed to say, sounding mostly normal. He swallowed and grabbed his phone.

1:59PM

C: JFC please stop!

Z: What’s wrong, sweetheart?

C: I’m trying to eat lunch. Nearly choked. Almost came and I’ve got nothing to hide that kind of mess.

Z: Aw, I’m sorry.

C:no you’re not

Z: You’re right ;)

He sighed as the vibrations ceased.

Z: Go in the bathroom when you’re done. Tell me when you’re there.

Carson dragged his lower lip through his teeth and stared at the phone a moment before he replied.

C: yes daddy ;)

“Damn, dude. Whatever kind of ass you’re getting, can you share?”

“Seriously, buddy, you should see the dopey look on your face.”

Carson blushed furiously. “Shut up, guys.”

Sam looked over to Matt, a look of urgency on his face. “Dude, that reminds me. Did I tell you that Maria saw him this morning?”

“Naw, whassup?” Matt asked around a mouthful of burger.

“Said he grew a beard. And that he’s got a hickey he’s not even trying to hide!” Sam looked appropriately mortified at the idea.

“Listen, this one is too old for that high school nonsense!” Matt said, pointing a finger at Carson. “I really don’t wanna think about McAllister doing that at his age.”

“Wait, how often is he gone? And how old is he? I thought he was young, that was what made him and the company such a big deal—how young he made a name for himself.” Carson was thoroughly confused now. Everything he’d read about the man said he wasn’t ancient, as Matt’s horror would indicate. Not that any of them were teenagers anymore, but he knew that Sam and Matt were only a few years older than he was.

“He does lots of travel for the company. He’s usually gone several weeks at a time though when he goes, gets it all over with at once if he can. He just got back a couple weeks ago. But even then, we rarely see him. He’s a pretty hands-off boss, doesn’t micromanage, which is nice. And he still does a lot of coding, too. Works on the biggest projects himself with a small team he creates each time specific to the needs of the contract.”

Sam threw a fry across the table at Matt.

“Stop trying to work the humble brag, asshole.”

Matt laughed and turned to Carson again.

“He recruited me for a project last year because I have experience with certain parts of the dark web that a client was having trouble blocking. Sam’s jealous ‘cuz he hasn’t gotten that call yet. And he’s, like, in his early forties, I think. Either way,” Matt leaned back in his chair, wiping his face with a napkin. “He’s too old for that. And so are you. So cover up on Monday or you might find yourself getting your own special assignment.” Matt smirked and used his fingers to make air quotes around the words, and the three of them dissolved into laughter.