Chapter 29

Bratt

“Are you trying to tell me you miss me?” I chuckled. “Does stoic, lone wolf Travis miss little old me?”

“You’re making me regret asking if you want to get an early lunch,” Travis’s annoyed voice came through my phone speaker. “It’s not my fault you’ve forgotten the age-old edict of bros before h—”

“Don’t. Do not finish what you’re about to say. I know you would never imply Marley is a h—”

“Wholesome kindergarten teacher?” he interrupted in turn. “What’s wrong with that? Wait, did you think…Bratt Lucas, you should be ashamed. What would your mother think?”

I laughed, the sound warm and full. In the chaos of my professional life and the tasks required of me as a father, it was easy to forget that Travis and I had been best friends since boyhood. “I guess you’re right. It has been ages since we hung out just as friends and not business partners.”

“Yeah. So, lunch?”

“I’ve got a few errands to run first. Let’s meet up at… I don’t know. What sounds good?”

“How about a steakhou