Page 42 of Joey

“Hell, yeah,” Huck says. “And we’re not done yet. So what do you think of her?”

“Brooke? I mean… I like her. I really do kinda like her.”

“Huh. Me too. So does Wald. You know what’s funny?”

“What?”

“I think even when this is all over and we’ve got Maisy back, we really will still be friends.”

“We’ve known her one day,” I say. “And she’s got secrets of her own.”

“I know,” Huck says. “But it does kinda feel like fate. Don’t you think? I mean look at it logically. Is there another woman on this planet who would jump into the game with us? And not only that, play her part like an expert? Even Johnny was falling for it.”

“I wouldn’t assume that, Huck. He’s got a bullshit detector like no one else I know.”

“Yeah, but… maybe we’re not even bullshitting?”

“What do you mean?”

“You like her. I like her. Wald likes her. And I’m sure Maisy’s gonna love her to death too. Maybe this is the beginning of a good thing here?”

“One day,” I remind him. “Not even a whole day.”

“You just bought a house with this girl.”

“Fake,” I say.

“Yeah,” he agrees. “But no. You really did just go house shopping with that girl.”

“Dude, I can’t wait for you to see this house. You’re gonna fucking love it. Seriously, this house might even change Wald’s mind about going home.”

“You sure you don’t mind us moving in?”

“Why would I care? We’ve been living together since college.”

“I know, but… that was after college life. This is after after-college life. And if the plan works, your kid is gonna be living there too.”

“Nah,” I say. “It’s still the same. Maisy is gonna love you guys.”

“Well, I am looking forward to Maisy as well. She’s gonna be fun.”

“She really is,” I say. “I can’t wait.”

“And this situation with Brooke is fuckin’ perfect if I do say so myself.”

“How the hell did you even think of this plan?”

“I read an article last month—”

“You don’t even read.”

“Fuck you.” He laughs. “I can read in three languages. So, for real. I read this article in Weekly Playboy about these three dudes who were all best friends—”

“Weekly Playboy!” I laugh.

“It has good articles. Obviously.”

“Do they even publish that in English?”