Page 35 of Play Dirty

“So…” My father starts to change the subject. I wince a little, wondering what he’s going to say. Maybe something about the games I’m playing. Maybe something about how distracted I’ve been lately. Maybe something about—

“Alexander Bartos,” he says.

“What?” I wasn’t ready for that.

“He comes to see you often. What’s going on with him? Is he in trouble?”

“Sorta,” I say, sighing. “He and his wife are…” I shrug. Not that I’d tell him the truth, but I don’t even have it in me to lie right now.

“Another divorce?” My father is frowning right now.

“What?” I ask again.

“That couple you had in your office about a month back. You were doing a divorce for them?”

“Oh,” I say, remembering my lie about Lawton Ayers and Oaklee Ryan. “No, those two are actually back together.”

“I knew they would be,” my father says, little gleam in his eye. “So… what’s going on with this Bartos man?”

“Just a favor. That’s all. Nothing important.”

“Are you thinking of going into marital law?” he asks.

I actually laugh out loud at that. “Absolutely not. It’s just a favor.”

“Are they divorcing?”

“They’re not sure yet. I’m just…” What the fuck am I doing? “I’m just, you know, filling him in on all his options. That’s all.”

“Well, I’m very happy you had time to have lunch with me today.”

“Of course, Dad.” I smile at him. “Alexander Bartos can fuck off. I always have time for you.”

I mean that. Like there’s no word strong enough to stress how much I mean that.

“I went to the doctors last week.”

“Oh?” I say. And suddenly my heart is beating too fast.

“Yes… there’s… a small problem.”

“What kind of problem?” I ask.

“We don’t know yet. I go in for more tests tomorrow.”

My world is suddenly small. Sound stops. I look at him as my vision becomes like a tunnel and everything else fades to black around the edges.

When I get home after work Augustine’s car is parked on the street in front of my stupid mansion. I ignore her as I wait for the gate to open and pull in the driveway. But she pulls in after me.

We get out of our cars at the same time. Staring at each other.

This morning all I was thinking about was winning their stupid game.

But tonight… all I want to do is forget.

So I say, “Wanna come inside?”

And she says, “Yes, thank you.”