Chapter 171:
A sudden vibration in his pocket interrupted his thoughts. Glancing at the screen, Brandon saw an incoming call from an old friend, Darden Harris.
He answered with a simple, “Yeah?”
On the other end, Darden didn’t waste time. “Feel like grabbing a drink? I’m at Blue Lounge. Unless you’ve got plans with Vivian?”
Their friendship went all the way back to childhood, so Brandon gave a quick nod to his driver and told him to switch directions.
“I’ll be there,” he said.
The Bentley glided through Crobert’s busy streets, making its way to Blue Lounge, the city’s most popular night spot. Navigating through the bustling crowd, Brandon eventually arrived at Darden’s private suite. A subtle frown crept across his face as he stepped inside.
The place buzzed with laughter and voices, a lively mix of men and women—Darden clearly intent on throwing a party.
“Brandon, you made it!” Darden called out, pulling him into a boisterous hug.
With a hint of reluctance, Brandon allowed himself to be led further in. Raising his glass for attention, Darden declared, “Everyone, meet my oldest friend, Brandon Watson—he’s the one who runs the Watson Group now! Let’s hear it for him!”
His tipsiness was obvious, and the crowd responded with eager applause. Brandon’s face was a familiar one in Crobert; recognition flashed instantly in the eyes of half the room.
The noise grated on him, so he quietly motioned for the hangers-on to clear out.
Rather than take offense, Darden just grinned and waved for everyone but the two of them to file out. Once the room had emptied, the two sat on the sofa, Darden pouring a generous drink for his friend. Brandon studied the liquid glinting in the low light before taking a measured sip.
“How’s life been treating you?” Darden asked, settling in.
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Instead of answering right away, Brandon let his head rest against the back of the sofa, his features slipping into shadow where Darden couldn’t read them. Instead of responding directly, Brandon broke the silence with his own question. “What about you? Anything new?”
Darden let out a sharp laugh, swiping at his eyes before draining another mouthful of liquor. “Oh, you know—family drama on repeat. There’s always some issue cropping up. And would you believe it, Alyssa just dumped me. Said I’m ‘damaged goods’ now and wants nothing to do with me.”
He sighed in exasperation. “Honestly, I don’t get her logic. Sure, I’ve been around other women, but it’s always business. Dad needed me to show the McCoy family’s daughter around town; was I supposed to say no?”
Brandon traced circles in his glass, only half-engaged in Darden’s tale. Eventually, he suggested, “Maybe you’re sending mixed signals without realizing it.”
Darden rolled his eyes and topped off Brandon’s glass, refusing to let the subject drop.
“Alright, I hear you, Mr. CEO,” he teased. “Guess I should take notes—stick with one woman at a time like you did. First Millie, and now Vivian. Loyal as ever.”
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