Free Casting Stones (Stones Duet #1) by L. M. Carr

that? All the strippers I know are always all named Crystal, Tiffany, or Sherry. Those are typical stripper names, right?”
    “I guess. I’m not in the habit of knowing strippers’ names.”
    “Still a Pussy Boy!” Collin laughs at my former nickname. “Didn’t you grow a dick yet?”
    “Yeah, I got a dick. And it’s nothing like your TicTac.”
    “Hey! It’s not about the size. It’s all about how I use it. I’ve never gotten any complaints.”
    “Not that you know of!” I grin.
    We drink our beer and laugh at ourselves.
    “So this Friday?”
    “We’ll see… I’m actually supposed to be heading down to my sister’s this weekend. She’s going through a divorce and she’s got two little kids. It’ll be a chance to enjoy some peace and quiet.”
    “Fuck that, bro! I thought we were going to party it up!”
    “Dude, it’s my sister.” I give a look that warns him not to test my loyalty. God, family, country. “Don’t worry about it, though. I’ll hook you up with a few guys from work. I’m sure they won’t mind letting your gimp ass and peg leg tag along.”
    Collin drags his prosthesis up onto my lap.
    “Get that shit outta here!” I swat it away playfully. God only knows I would lay down my life for this man. He’s my brother.
     

     
    5:39. SHIT! I roll over and shut off my phone that’s been ringing for the past eighteen minutes every time I hit snooze. I shower and dress quickly before I leave a note for Collin and slip out the door on my way to work. A few beers turned into a few shots and then things got a little rowdy when he starting arguing with fans that the Yankees are way better than the Sox. I dragged his drunk ass back to my apartment and let him pass out before he got us both into a fight. Explaining to Marty that his new assistant principal got into a bar fight and arrested isn’t something I want to do. There are only a few things I fight for and sports aren’t one of them.
    I walk faster to get to the diner in hopes of seeing her before the bus arrives. The bell rings when I push the door open, and I glance around looking for the petite blonde who had me jerking off more than once recently. Her back is turned as she faces the cook who is setting plates of pancakes in the window. She stands on her tiptoes and reaches for a container of butter. I can’t help but stare at her. I’ll never look at khaki shorts the same way again.
    “Hey. You gonna sit down? Or just stand there and stare at her ass?” Jenna asks as she cashes out at the register.
    “Uh… no… I’m running late. I’ll just take a muffin and coffee to go.” I add, “Please.”
    Remy turns around, startles and almost crashes into her friend when she sees me standing there. She smiles briefly and continues on her way to a booth to drop off the two dishes.
    Jenna returns with a bag and a Styrofoam cup then rings me out. I hand her a twenty and wait for change.
    “You owed us a tip,” she smirks and drops the few dollars and coins into the tip jar.
    I laugh.
    “What’s so funny?” Remy asks, stepping behind the counter.
    “Your friend here,” I nod in Jenna’s direction, “just stole my money.”
    Her green eyes crinkle when she smirks.
    “I left you something a couple of days ago,” I state nonchalantly even though adrenaline is rushing through my body. I reach into the bowl and take out a Wint-O-Green mint. After unwrapping it quickly, I pop it into my mouth.
    “Really?” She tilts her head, curiously. “Hmmm…that’s interesting because as far as I remember, you didn’t leave anything.”
    I can’t tell if she’s serious or not. She’s hot and cold every other day. I’d have worn my grandma’s old parka had I known today was going to be an Antarctica day.
    “I left you my number.” My fingers fidget with the white paper bag.
    “Oh, yeah. That.” Sarcasm drips from her sweet lips. “Listen, I don’t need your number. I need money. So unless your cell phone number can pay for