Page 143 of The Lonely Road

Mav shoots me a warning look that says he wants to bust my balls just on principle but is making a sacrifice and showing considerable restraint by not doing it.

Hell, he’s lucky I let him punch me because, unlike Mav, I’ve been trained in unarmed combat. I would clean his clock.

Well, that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.

Mac leans back, his chin jerking in inquiry. “Your jaw all right?”

“Fine.”

“Mav holds back more than people think.” He taps his fingers on the arm of the chair. “If he’d meant to put you down, you’d be down.”

“He’d try—doesn’t mean he’d succeed.”

Mac lets out a harsh laugh. “You know—I liked you for her. I thought you were good for her and then…why the fuck would you do a fool thing like that to the woman you’re in love with?”

“How do you know I’m in love with her?”

“Son, I just needed to take one look at you when you were watching her. Everyone knew. Written plain on your face and hers.”

So much for being the best poker face in the business.

“I’m in love with her.” Every time I say it aloud, that tear in my heart cuts deeper because I single-handedly destroyed the woman I love—hurt her.

How does one get back from that?

“Tell me something I don’t know.” Mac leans forward, his eyes hold mine. “Tell me something I don’t know, Brooks,” he repeats, his meaning unmistakable.

So I do.

When I’m done, he glances at his watch. “You meeting Hugh at eight?”

“Yeah.”

“You know what that’s about?”

I shake my head.

He lets out a bark of laughter. “Kaz is one cryptic sumbitch.”

“He is.”

He jerks his head in a decisive nod. Then he picks up his iPad and opens it. “Son, she’s going to win this case.”

“I hope so.”

He looks up from his screen. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I don’t doubt her abilities, Mac. I think she’s fabulous. I’ve read everything she’s ever fucking written for a courtroom.”

This brings out a loud burst of laughter. “You’re a lovesick fool, Brooks.”

Tell me about it!

“I think she’s remarkable—but the judge is pro development, Aldridge is no spring chicken, and I fucked up her case.”

He waves a hand at that. “She’ll wipe the floor with Aldridge’s behind. She’s going to out-lawyer your fuck up.” He says it with the pride of a mentor who has watched someone exceed every expectation. “Just so you know.”

I stand on Mac’s front step.