Page 80 of A Real Good Lie

He nodded.

“Did he apologize?”

Callahan balked. “What would he have to apologize for?”

“That’s a no.” Remington took another drink of his coffee.

“He’s talked to you about me then?”

“Of course.” Remington set his coffee on the counter and shoved his fingers under his glasses to rub his eyelids. He yawned, then took another drink.

“What’s he said?”

“Like I’d tell you.” Remington scoffed, then schooled his features. “I didn’t mean that as offensively as it came out. I’m just tired, and I haven’t had enough coffee yet, and it’s not even my place to say.”

The words tumbled out of his mouth so quickly, Callahan struggled to process their meaning. All he came away with was that Jace had talked about him. He didn’t know if that was good or bad, or somewhere in between, but he’d take it.

“I was just going,” he mumbled, pointing toward the door, which Remington blocked him from.

“Right.” Remington stepped aside, then gave Callahan a slow once-over, from his shoes, up the slim cut legs of his slacks, to his undone waistcoat and loose tie.

“Do I pass muster?” he asked, feeling the weight of Remington’s appraisal.

“I’m sure we’ll see each other again.” Remington raised the mug to his lips and took another drink, then walked out of the room without another word.

Callahan took his answer at face value. If he’d be seeing Remington again, it was because he’d be seeing Jace again. That had to be good.

Once he was out of the apartment building, he pulled out his phone, finding a missed text from Sebastian that only said one word—home. Callahan walked the half a block to his car, then dropped his phone into the cup holder and pushed the ignition button. He drove to Starbucks and got two coffees, then straight to Sebastian’s.

When he arrived, Sebastian’s car was the only one in the driveway, meaning Daniella was either still in Mallardsville or she was staying elsewhere. Callahan sighed, gathering up his things and the coffees, then heading to Sebastian’s door. He had a key, so he let himself in, calling out as soon as he opened the door, “Sebastian.”

“You’re up early,” came Sebastian’s slurry reply from the living room.

Callahan dumped his keys and phone onto the kitchen counter on his way in, then shoved one of the coffees into his best friend’s hands. Sebastian looked at him, one eye half closed.

“Are you in yesterday’s clothes?” Sebastian asked.

“Are you?”

Sebastian flicked a hand dismissively.

“Have you slept?” Callahan asked. “When did you get into town?”

“No. I don’t know.” Sebastian shrugged.

“Drink some coffee.” He tapped the bottom of Sebastian’s cup. “I’m going to go get the shower going for you, and then we’re going to talk.”

“Change clothes while you’re in there. It’s all very indecent.”

“What is?” He set his coffee down and stood up.

“You basically walk of shamed yourself across the state to my doorstep.”

“That’s not what happened,” he said.

“Weren’t you going to draw me a shower?” Sebastian pouted, puckering his lips around the sip spout on the coffee cup.

Callahan gave him the finger then went down the hall to the bathroom. He couldn’t stop himself from the comparison that took place in his head. Jace’s generic one-piece vanity to Sebastian’s single slab of white marble with a copper bowl sink and matching fixtures. At his own place, the bathroom was completely minimalist, white and white and more white with bronze fixtures and recessed lighting.