Page 14

CALEB

The restaurant is bustling for a Wednesday night, but it only takes me a second to spot our table. Xander and Tristan are already here, their laughter echoing through the air. I make my way towards them. Our weekly get-together is the highlight of most weeks. It’s something we’ve done since we all returned from university. That and socialising. But this is our time… boys’ night.

“Caleb,” Xander says, getting up and slapping me on the shoulder. “Thought you weren’t coming.”

“Ha, ha. I’m not that late,” I say, grabbing the chair next to him. “I’m also not the last one here. Where are Marcus, Quentin?”

“Marcus is pussy whipped. Probably doing the laundry or something before he’s allowed out.” Tristan says, laughing.

“As for Quentin, he’s probably lost track of the time shagging his latest secretary,” Xander adds before pointing to the door where Marcus and Quentin have just entered. “Speak of the devil and his sidekick.”

The guys walk over and sit down. Our waitress appears and takes our order.

“Sorry we’re late. Lucy asked me to drop her off at a friend. Girls’ night.”

“Ahh, the joys of married life,” Tristan sighs dramatically.

“Don’t knock what you haven’t tried,” Marcus shoots back with a wink. Our friend is the first among us to take the plunge. His eyes move to Quentin, and whatever he sees has him flinching.

Quentin was due to fall first until his fiancée left him standing at the alter—literally.

“Well, I’m pledged to bachelorhood,” Quentin says, raising his glass before taking a long swallow. “To those of us left in the Kingland Players.”

The rest of us grimaces at the name we were given in college.

Our group of five became known as the playboys of Kingland College. A reputation we enjoyed and nurtured in our late teens and early twenties. But although life may have moved on, the name and our reputations have remained. A blessing and a curse, at least for most of us.

“How is your new secretary?” Tristan asks, rolling his eyes. “Happy and satisfied?”

“Completely,” he laughs, but I notice it doesn’t reach his eyes. It never does these days. I lean forward only to receive a glare that stops me in my tracks.

Tristan shoots me a look before changing the subject. “Has your new motor been delivered?”

“It has. I’m heading down this weekend to take it for a spin if anyone wants to join me. I’ve booked time at the track.”

“I’m in,” Xander says.

To my relief, Quentin nods. Getting away will do him good. They both share my love of fast cars.

“How many is that now?” Tristan asks.

“Twenty-five,” I tell him.

Tristan shakes his head with a smile.

“I know, I know,” I say with a shrug.

Some might say my car collection is getting a little out of control. But with a racetrack near my mother's.

What can I say? I love driving.

Each car has its own unique features and performance. It’s also not something I get to enjoy on a daily basis living in the city.

“Fine. I’m in,” Tristan says, grinning.

“I’ll let Mum know to expect us.”

I know my mother will be over the moon to have us all for the weekend.