Just a Number (Downtown #1) Read Free

Ugh! Mergers. I was out to forget about eminent business issues out of my hand. I was out to focus on a hard acquisition of sorts. It appeared I could no longer concentrate on anything anymore.
    How many martinis had slid down my throat? I leaned my head on Tomasina’s shoulder and smiled up at her. “I know that look; Lolo has hit the wall.” She pet my hair, tucking a strand behind my ear. “Sorry, boys, time to get the girl home before she turns into a pumpkin.”
    “Thumbelina, we have to get a horse to ride home if the pumpkin bursts.” I giggled.
    “I forgot to tell you. We’re not princesses. You’re not a princess. You are a strong, corporate woman that writes her own ticket. No fucking fairytales.” With those last words, I remembered her pulling me to my unsteady feet and moving us forward toward the door.

Chapter Two

    Dash
    B ack in town on business, I dropped my overnight bag just inside the door. Then, I attempted to take a quick, much needed, shower to wash off hours of stale airplane air, when there was a loud thudding on my door. “Hold on. I’m coming.”
    “Open up already,” a male voice commanded while continuing to pound.
    Throwing open the door, my longtime friend, Trey breezed past to the guest bath. Waiting for him to reappear, I walked into the kitchen and pulled out a couple beers. A few minutes later, he joined me. I held out an opened bottle. Taking it, we clinked them and took a swig. “Oh, that tastes so good.” Setting down my bottle, I looked at my friend who would be needing another beer within seconds. “What’s going on? How did you know I would be here?”
    “Have anything stronger?” Trey was not the biggest drinker. I knew something was definitely troubling him.
    “I haven’t gotten around to stocking my liquor cabinet just yet. We’re supposed to meet the guys for a drink. Let me grab a shower and change…”
    “I can’t wait that long. Let’s go.” He was already heading for the door. Phone to ear, car service on speed dial, he asked for an immediate pick-up. I downed the rest of my beer, put my jacket back on and moved after him, quickly.
    Damn! I swear those cars came out of nowhere. Stepping outside of my building, a sedan sat, waiting for us. Once inside, I pushed for him to spill his woes. “You want to tell me what is going on?”
    “Fuck! Man!” He was running his fingers through his hair, tugging occasionally. He was the most well put-together, polished guy you’d ever see. GQ scientist is what we labeled him, among other things. This was hard to observe. “I only want to say it once.”
    “Okay, dude.” I gripped his shoulder firmly. “Let’s get you a shot or two. Then you can spill your shit to all of us.” He just nodded. I swear we drove ten miles instead of seven blocks. I’d never wanted to get to a bar as fast as I did at that moment. I needed reinforcements. I didn’t do the emotional consoling thing. I was the guy that taught you to meditate and push all negative thoughts from your head. If I had suggested that, I’m pretty sure a fist might have flown my way.
    Thank God! Walking through entrance to the lounge, Leo and Rex were easy to spot right away. The demand for them was crucial. One, to talk Trey through his situation logically and calmly. The other, to deter his mind from whatever brought him such misery with games, bets, and debauchery. We all had our strengths and, when we put them together, we made one hell of a team—a force to be reckoned with.
    I met my three buddies in an advanced marketing/advertising class. We were assigned to work on a semester project together. We were to come up with a product; develop it, patent it, market it, and sell it.
    Putting each of our specialties together, we each took on the task. Leo, a political science major, headed up our legal department, focusing on the copyright and patent part. Rex, an advance graphic design student, designed our packaging and advertisements. Trey, a