“I’m glad you are benefiting from this,” Hammer said dryly.
Rever smiled. “It’s always a factor. Even though I’m here because you threatened me, it feels good getting out of L.A. for a few days.”
“I still don’t know how you can deal with living there.”
“Lately, I don’t know either. Everything about it seems fake to me. And don’t even get me started on the women. It’s almost impossible to find anyone real in that town.”
Hammer scoffed. “You wouldn’t know what to do with a real woman, Rever. Most normal women don’t want to sleep with someone who puts an end date on their relationship before it even begins.”
“True, but I need something different than what I’ve been doing.”
“Have you considered taking a vacation? Why don’t you come on down to Breakers?”
“Funny you should mention that. About an hour ago I got a call from Nyght.”
“No shit?” Hammer grinned. Daryk Nyght was their best friend and their other business partner and part owner of Fight Hard. Hammer had been missing the hell out of him, but hadn’t heard from him in forever. Worry for his friend had started to eat away at him, but there wasn’t anything he could do about it but wait until Nyght came back on the radar. “How the hell is he?”
Rever’s smile faded as the worry settled in his gut. “He doesn’t sound good. He said he tried to call you, too, but you were probably already in the gym. He’s back from overseas.”
Hammer blinked in shock. “Seriously? He’s back? He didn’t tell us he was coming home. Fuck, I haven’t even heard from him in months besides the random email, have you?”
“Nope, which is why I was thrown off by his call today. He said he’s in Atlanta, but he isn’t staying there. Since most of his stuff is in storage anyways, he’s gonna ride his bike to Breakers to see you, but he’s gonna take his time and see a few things on the way.”
“I don’t blame him for not wanting to stay in Atlanta. Not with his crazy family. Jesus, Nyght in Breakers. That’s gonna be interesting.”
Rever laughed. “Yeah, you could say that again. Actually, talking to him got me thinking. If he’s planning on sticking around in your town, I might consider moving there for a little while. It would be nice to get away from all the shit in L.A. before I decide where my next move will be.”
“Can you do that? What about your hot shot management business?”
Rever snorted. “Dude, we both know I don’t need to work anymore. Even though I don’t have as much money as you, with what I’ve made us on our investments, I’m pretty much set for life. I work more just to have something to occupy my time. The truth is I can’t fucking stand dealing with actors anymore. They annoy the shit out of me, and the producers I have to deal with? They seem to keep doing the same movies over and over again. It’s all driving me bat-shit. I’ve already started transitioning most of my needy clients elsewhere. Someone else can babysit them from now on. I can hold most of the clients that I do financial analysis for no matter where I’m located.”
“Come to Breakers so I can put you to work at the gym. You do own part of it, you know,” Hammer said with a laugh, then he sobered. “Nyght might be in bad shape…it might be good if both of us are around if he needs us.”
“Yeah, that’s another reason I want to be there. Who knows what condition he’ll be in when he shows up. Whatever he’s been doing has taken its toll on him. I can tell by his emails, and he sounded like shit when I talked to him today.”
“I’ll let you know when he arrives and we can gauge the ground from there.”
“Sounds good,” Rever agreed. “So, are you gonna tell me why I’m really here? You didn’t need me to come out here just to bitch at me in person for not protecting you from Rhino and Leanne.”
“Yeah, about that…” Hammer fought the urge to squirm on his seat. He blew out a breath, then said, “I needed you here to help me pick out a ring for Kali.”
Rever blinked at him. “I’m sorry, I’ve suddenly gone deaf. What the fuck did you just say?”
“I’m gonna propose.”
“Why? And better yet, why?”
Hammer glared at him. “Damn it, will you be serious?”
“I am. I mean, I know you said you and Kali are tight now, but you wanna marry the girl? Sweet Jesus, did you get hit in the head or something?”
“I love her,” Hammer said through clenched teeth. “Kali is the one. I swear to God, Rever, if you ever disrespect her—”