One Summer Evening - One Summer Evening Part 30
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One Summer Evening Part 30

"What if I did?"

Randall was clearly on the defensive, which added to Austin's uneasiness.

Usually his friend was impeccably dressed, smooth-tongued and

aggressively charming. Today none of those adjectives applied.

" How you choose to sleep is no sweat off my balls," Austin said in a frigid tone, "unless it interferes with your ability to take care of business--my business, in particular."

Color surged into Randall's pale features, making i him look feverish.

Something was definitely rotten in ] Denmark, and Austin decided he wasn't leaving until he knew what it was.

If Randall had fallen apart, and the land deal with him, he would have

his friend's head on a platter. In turn, he suspected Cassie would have his.

But right now wasn't the time to think about her.

"I'm okay, even if I don't look it," Randall said tersely.

"Now why don't I find that comforting?"

Without responding to Austin's caustic question, Randall made his way to the bar and helped himself to a large mug of coffee.

Austin was thankful he hadn't reached for the bottle of bourbon he kept

under the counter. At least that was in Randall's favor.

"I'm glad you're here, actually," Randall said, after doctoring his coffee with cream and sugar, then returning to his desk and sitting down.

Austin poured himself a cup of coffee.

"I find that hard to believe, since you've ignored my calls and messages."

Randall's color deepened, and he dropped his nose down in his cup.

Austin guessed he was buying time while the wheels of his brain worked

to come up with an answer. Lack of sleep had a tendency to slow everything down. He knew that from experience.

"I've been busy."

"I know, screwing around on Mary Jane."

Randall stood so quickly that coffee sloshed all over the desk. He cursed, his face going from red to purple. "That's not true."

"Liar," Austin said in a low, cold drawl.

Randall remained standing and held on to one corner of the desk with his free hand.

"Did Mary Jane call you?"

"That she did."

"Damn her. She had no right."

Austin leaned forward and placed his cup on the corner of the desk.

"She had every right, especially after that stunt you pulled at dinner

the other night."

"I lost control, but it won't happen again."

"It had better not."

Randall's lips thinned.

"What goes on behind the closed doors of my house is none of your

business."

"That's where you're wrong, friend. Not when it affects your ability to do business."

When Randall didn't respond, Austin went on.

"I care about you and Mary Jane, and I'd hate to see you throw her and

your marriage away."

He paused, hoping his words had an impact.

"And pulling stunts like breaking mirrors, then disappearing for an

entire night, is tantamount to doing just that."

"You're right."

"So what's going on?"

"I am seeing someone else."

"Shit, Randall. I thought you were made of better stuff."

Randall glared at him.

"Okay, so life's not perfect. I'm not perfect, but sometimes things just

happen."

"That's a cop-out, and you know it."

"If Mary Jane finds out, she'll kill me."

"She'd be within her rights."

"Dammit, Austin, you're making too big a deal out of it. Men screw

around on their wives every day."

"You're not just any man, and she's not just any wife. You're like family."

"I don't think I can get out of the relationship."

Austin cursed.

"That doesn't make sense. Just end it. Walk off and don't go back."

"It's not that easy."

"Well, then, tell Mary Jane. At least give her the option of kicking your sorry ass out the door or putting up with your mistress."

"You can be a real bastard when you want to."

"I won't deny that," Austin replied.

"And since this is personal between you and Mary Jane, I'm bowing out. I

don't want to be in the middle. So I suggest you take care of it."

"In other words, you don't want my wife bending your ear."

"Like I said, I refuse to be a go-between," Austin said in a frigid

tone.

"I'll take care of it." Randall rubbed his scratchy chin.

"So, can we get down to our business now?"

"Gladly, since that's the main reason I'm here. What's the status of the

deal? When do I sign on the dotted line?"

"Actually, I need more money."