Page 20 of Joey

“And I don’t know where you’re staying, but you need a place. A real place. Not the Bossy, either—”

“Don’t worry about that,” I say, holding up my hand. “I have no plans to move back into the Bossy.”

“Where are you staying?” Jack asks.

“With me,” Wald says. “We’ve rented a penthouse in the Chester Hotel.”

Jack is already shaking his head. “No. Not good enough. No hotels, Joey. You need a real place. Go buy something. Like… today.”

“And what is this?” Steven asks. Finger waving at me, Huck, and Wald. “What’s going on here?”

“What’s that mean?” Huck asks.

“You know what that means, Mr. Newtown. What is this relationship? Business?”

I glance at Wald, then back to Steven. “Yeah, it’s business.”

“Is that it?” Jack asks.

“Why does it matter?” Huck growls.

“Because we’re talking about a custody hearing, Mr. Newtown. That’s why. And while the court is completely comfortable with non-traditional couples, poly relationships are a whole other matter.” Huck is about to say something in response, but Jack puts a hand up and says, “I’m gay, so I’m not being a dick here. I’m being real. What is this?” And then he repeats Steven’s finger waving.

Huck, Wald, and I look at each other, but none of us has an answer.

“Well, you’d better figure it out,” Jack says. “Because believe me, there will be questions.”

I sigh as they both get to their feet. Apparently the meeting is over.

“We’re good?” Steven asks, tapping a stack of papers on the table and tucking them into a file.

“So by Friday I need a steady girlfriend and a house.” I huff out a laugh that has nothing to do with amusement.

“That would be helpful. And I’m going to advise you to not bring these two to any more proceedings,” Steven says, motioning his head at Huck and Wald. “The optics are confusing.”

I nod. Because he’s not wrong. No one can ever figure out what Huck, and Wald and I are to each other.

I’m not even sure I know.

I stand up and Huck follows my example. Wald takes care of the farewell formalities because my mind is spinning right now and I can’t make myself care about goodbyes.

We’re all quiet as we make our way down to the parking garage. Wald is driving. Huck gets in back, and I take shotgun.

All three of us slam our doors at the same time and then Huck leans forward as Wald starts the engine, and says, “You need a girlfriend, dude. And I know just how to get one.”

CHAPTER SIX - BROOKE

I am the perfect Bright Berry Beach Cosmetics representative. I fucking nailed this outfit.

Not gray and pink. Fuck that bitch and her outfit too.

My skirt and cropped tailored jacket are both the palest shade of pink and my loose camisole is the perfect shade of cream. The skirt is a little long for my tastes, coming in at just above the knee. But it’s tight. Successful, intelligent, powerful women like to show off their shapes.

As long as it’s done tastefully.

I did my research for this job. I know what a BBB salesperson looks like and she wears tailored clothes in muted pastel color or, in the winter, shades of gray with pastel accents.

OK. Maybe that chick yesterday did have a great outfit. But she’s in the wrong season now and I’m not. My outfit blows hers away.