The Merger – 16

 

Mike almost asked if Josh didn't drink because it made it harder to forget the past—and his brother. Deciding that would not be his smartest move right then, he remained silent as they returned to Thirty-One Twelve. When they entered, the voices and the music swept over them. He felt Josh relax and smiled to himself. "If we move fast…" He pointed to two men just vacating a pair of stools at the bar. They hurried to grab them then ordered their drinks when the bartender arrived.

"When's your next bodyguard… Never mind. You said you have a standing appointment to escort some club owner to and from the bank on Saturday mornings," Mike said after taking a pull on his beer.

"Yep. I pick him up at eight forty-five so that we're there at nine when the bank opens. I think he could do it safely enough without me, but who am I to turn down easy money?"

"Do you dress all in black, like the guys in the movies?" Mike teased, suppressing a grin.

"You bet," Josh replied seriously. "Down to the black fedora and wingtip shoes." Then he laughed. "You should know better. You said you've been a bodyguard a few times."

"I have. Now I can pass those jobs on to you. They are not my thing, if I can help it. I always feel like there's a target painted on my back."

"It's all in the attitude," Josh replied, tapping his temple. "Believe you're better than any bastard who wants to rob or attack the client and you will be." Josh sipped his drink, looking around. "There's your friend…umm, Ben?"

Mike looked where Josh was pointing, spotting him. "Seems like he got over you putting him in his place the last time we were here." Mike said that because Ben was definitely taking advantage of the crowded dance floor, pressing against his partner so tightly that they practically melded into each other.

"We should dance, too," Josh said. "Not tonight though, since it's getting late and I do have to get up pretty early in the morning, but maybe next time."

"Sounds good to me. I take it you're about ready to go?"

"As soon as I finish this." Josh held up his glass then tapped it to Mike's bottle. "To our new agency and our new friendship."

"I'll drink to that." Mike did, finishing his beer as Josh tossed back the last of his club soda. "Ready?"

Josh was, so they left, walking to where Mike had parked his car. When Mike asked, Josh said he'd walked, as always, and declined Mike's offer to drive him home.

"Thank you for listening to me," Josh said.

"Thank you for trusting me with your story," Mike replied. Impulsively, he hugged Josh, quickly pulling back. "I'll see you on Monday."

"Yep." Josh looked at him, smiled, and gave him a quick hug in return. "Bright and early."

"Try for nine. That's when we open."

Josh laughed. "After four days there, I've figured it out. See you then."

Mike watched as he walked away. "He's a good man. Given half a chance, I could become very attached to him, as Mom used to put it," he said under his breath as he got into the car. Yeah, I definitely could.