I raked a hand through my hair. “Is that really why you’re here? I told you already, Seamus. I’m not interested in this. It’s all so empty lately, and the last thing I want is to add some kinkery and a fad onto it. That’s the exact opposite of what I want. Besides, I know you better than that, mate. Always have. You’re angling for something else, and it sure as shite isn’t about cheering me up.”
Seamus sunk his hands into the pockets of his jacket. “Alright, caught me at it. I was just checking up on you. All week, you don’t make it round to the pub for drinks. I expect you a bit morose and still around to chew my arse out over the Donelson deal.”
The light bulb went off over my head, and I gritted my teeth in distaste. “You mean that you thought you’d get another chance to gloat over the stuff you bogarted, rub my nose in it.”
“Friendly competition, mate, nothing more than that.”
I strode closer to him. Seamus was a little over six feet, not a small man by any measure, but I still had five inches on him. Using that height to my advantage, I towered over him and glared. “I don’t give a shite about the deal, and we’ve been friends, sure, but we’re drifting, and we can both feel that. You’re past fifty and living like some crazed college kid, getting more wild and desperate.”
“Living life to the fullest,” he countered, but his posture was cowed and low.
“Not giving a shit about anyone but yourself. I shut myself off for so long after Priscilla, and I’m starting to think just another easy lay or just a new sex club…anything to fill the time won’t do. I don’t care about Donelson cause there’s always another deal. I was right about that, and thanks for reminding me. I have something bigger going on in my life now, so go get that ball gag in your mouth or play the nice gimp…whatever the hell those blokes do over there. I don’t need this, Seamus.”
He scowled at me and for a moment, his hand balled up into a fist at his side. “I know when you’re not yourself, Callum.”
“If you’re so sure of who I am, mate, then you wouldn’t be throwing your kink club bullshit in my face.” I scrubbed my face with my hand. “You know, it’s late.”
“It’s not even ten yet.”
“I have travel plans for the weekend and have to be up at arse-o’clock.”
“Scouting a new deal?” he asked.
I just barely refrained from rolling my eyes. I wasn’t one for that kiddie shite, those games and displays of pique, but he was working on my last nerve. I did, however, slide in closer to him. He blinked, only a small tell, but enough to let me know he was scared. Damn right he should be. I’d put up with a lot from Seamus over the years, but I wasn’t anyone’s to run wild over, and the first person who should know I wasn’t anybody’s wimp would be Seamus.
If he was paying fucking attention.
“If I were, I’ve learned. I let my guard down around an old family friend. I won’t make that mistake twice and lose another account as key as Donelson. Besides, not everything precious involves money.”
“Now I know you’ve been replaced by a robot or some type of pod person. You always care about money. It’s in your blood.”
“Well, for right now, it’s not. Right now? I have something better than to have some random lass’s ass to spank for an hour or two. If that’s what gets your rocks off, great.”
Seamus’s face was redder than his hair and mustache by then. I’d hit pay dirt. “I can get my rocks off just fine and anytime.”
“Good.” I stepped back, easing up finally as I straightened the lapels of my jacket. “Maybe I’ve made a mistake.”
“About being a hermit, definitely.”
“No, I mean about you, mate.” I stretched out that one syllable so long, poured every ounce of derision I had into it. “We’ve known each other since we were twelve and away at school, and for the longest time I confused the amount of time I’d known a person with how good a friend they were. Now you’re getting resentful. You’re stealing my business. Mocking the hell out of me.”
“Easy target if you’re going to be a monk, Callum. Besides, if I rib ya, you’ll get off your arse sooner and be out and enjoying life.”
“And you’ll never grow up, never realize there’s more to life than snaking out the best deals no matter who it hurts or cheap sex with a blonde whose name you’ll never remember.”
“A few months ago, you’d have been just like me, at least before your attention seemed to wander. What? You need little blue pills now, buddy?” Seamus was gathering some of his energy back, his spitfire attitude now that I wasn’t looming over him. That much figured. He was only one for direct confrontation when he realized it wouldn’t end in a physical fight. Seamus had no talent for those. “Is that why you’re so hesitant with the lasses lately?”
“Your life is empty, Seamus. You’re empty,” I finished, bypassing him for the elevator. “And I don’t think we have anything to say to each other anymore.”
“All over Donelson?”
“No,” I said as I pushed the button and waited for the doors to open. “Because you’re the man I used to be, and I need to evolve. And you just won’t.”
He shocked me by clamping a hand on my forearm. “You don’t want to do that to me.”
“Is that a threat?” I asked, my voice lowering to a dangerous bass. I wasn’t going to be bossed around by anyone. Never had been before, and I sure as shite wasn’t starting now. Grabbing his fingers, I pried them with more force than was necessary off of my arm. “Stay out of my way, Seamus, and I’ll stay out of yours.”
“Oh, I don’t think I’ll be doing that.”