Free Only You by Denise Grover Swank Page B

before setting him loose. “Good to see you, Kev. Glad you’re back.”
    Kevin grimaced as he scrubbed the top of his head. “Well, the jury’s still out on that one.”
    Tyler sat back down and Kevin sat next to a worried-looking Matt. “I know things are probably a mess—”
    “Not your books,” Kevin said, shaking his head. “Let’s just say I’m never letting my sister make a real estate investment for me ever again.”
    Matt burst out laughing. “From everything you’ve told me, it sounds like a great investment. That neighborhood is up and coming. Just let me come over and take a look. It’s probably not as bad is it looks.”
    “I suspect it’s worse.” Time to change the subject. He looked across the table at his friend. “So, Tyler…I hear you’re a lawyer now in a big fancy office downtown.”
    “He won a big case to get him that big fancy office,” Matt said, flagging down a waitress.
    “That big case paid for my condo in the Plaza.” He grinned. “Which impresses my dates.” Kevin was pretty sure Tyler didn’t need help impressing women. He never had. He’d been the player of the three of them. His dark hair, dark eyes, and dark complexion had always grabbed the attention of all the girls in high school and college.
    “I thought you decided to give up dating for a while,” Matt countered. “After Sheila.”
    Tyler’s brow lowered and he took a drag of his beer, obviously wishing to change the subject.
    Kevin wanted to ask more about Sheila, but Tyler looked like he needed another beer or three before he’d talk. The waitress came over, and Kevin ordered a beer before turning to Matt. “What about you? How’s it going with your girlfriend? Aren’t you living together?”
    Tyler spit out his beer in a burst of laughter.
    Kevin gave him his full attention. “So there’s a story there?”
    Matt cringed. “I think we need a few more rounds before I’m ready to spill that story. I’d rather talk about your house.”
    “I think I’ll just take some gasoline and a match to my house. Put it out of its misery.”
    “You going to live with your mom?” Tyler asked. “Is she just as scary as she was when we were in high school? How are you going to bring your dates home?”
    “Easy. I won’t be bringing home any dates. I’m taking a break from women.”
    “You’re kidding.”
    “No. I’m like a magnet that attracts crazy women.” All the more reason for Kevin to stay away from his next-door neighbor. She definitely hadn’t acted normal. Based on several of his previous girlfriends, Kevin’s crazy meter was very broken. He’d been blindsided in his last three relationships. So if Kevin could spot her brand of crazy, that was definitely a bad sign. So why had he thought about her half a dozen times today?
    His two friends chuckled while the waitress set down Kevin’s glass. “You boys ready to order?”
    Tyler flashed her a grin. “I want a burger and fries, and get one for my friend over here.” He motioned toward Kevin.
    “Same for me,” Matt said, handing her the menus.
    Kevin laughed. “I confessed to having terrible taste in women, not terrible taste in food.”
    “You haven’t had a burger until you’ve had one here. And as for the women…” A grin spread across Tyler’s face.
    “What?” Kevin asked. “You don’t believe me?”
    “Oh, we believe you,” Matt said. “But I suspect you’re on the farm team when it comes to crazy ex-girlfriends. Tyler and I are in the big leagues.”
    A smug grin plastered Kevin’s face. “I’ve got the story to top all stories.”
    Matt leaned back, wearing a smirk. “Okay, Vandemeer. Give it a go. Tell us your crazy-ex story.”
    “You want the short and dirty version or gory details?” Kevin asked.
    “What are we? Middle-school girls?” Tyler asked.
    Matt’s eyes lit up. “All the gory details.”
    Kevin sighed. “Wrong answer. Here’s what I will tell you—we moved in together after Christmas and that