Page 127 of Broken Brothers

But for now? Chance Givens, the animal, was thirsty for Layla Taylor.

I grabbed her arm, pulled her out to the street, and pulled her close.

“When we get home…”

My phone rang. I ignored it and continued to talk in her ear, whispering all sorts of dirty details. How I would tie her to the bed… how I would go down on her and not stop until she passed out… how I would push her up against the window like we used to…

My phone rang again. I rolled my eyes and ignored it. I pulled her in for a kiss.

And still my goddamn phone rang.

“Do you mind?” I said.

“No, if someone’s calling three times. Go for it.”

I pulled it up. I don’t think a worse name could have emerged for who I was with.

“Who is it?”

I sighed. Time to test the boundaries of our honesty.

“The girl I’m casually seeing,” I said. “Clearly, not going to pick up.”

Except when I hit hang up, she called back again!

Now, it was beginning to dawn on me that this was not a booty call. This was not a “we need to talk” call. This was a “shit’s going down and I need help” call.

“Layla, don’t hate me, but—”

“Take it,” she said.

She didn’t seem too bothered by me answering the call, although she was good at hiding things, no matter what she said about being more truthful. I hit answer and tried to sound jovial to test Claire.

“Are you that hungry for pizza? Claire, you—”

“Chance, I need you here right now, please.”

I didn’t say anything for what felt like several moments.

“Why?”

My voice sounded as nervous as hers. I could see Layla’s face.

“My business may not make it through the next week. Please. I need your help now.”

52

Ifroze in the middle of New York City, my booty call for the night two feet in front of me, my business booty call about two long blocks away. I could not have picked a worse scenario for where I was, and it wasn’t going to make anyone happy no matter which decision I made.

If I went with Layla, I was violating my investor duty to do what was best for the business. It just so happened that I was fucking the owner of that business, which meant Layla couldn’t just call it a word call. She could also call it choosing one girl over her.

Someone was going to be bitterly disappointed in me.

But only one letdown would have rippling effects outside of tonight.

“Give me ten, and I’ll be there.”

I hung up the phone and looked at Layla. The disappointment on her face was profound.