The bar hit Troy like a wall of bass and low light. Amber liquor, leather seats, the kind of noise that made you lean in to hear someone lie.
Paxton was already in the corner booth. Whiskey neat. Sleeves rolled to the elbow. He tracked Troy with that calm, amused look that meant he’d been watching the door.
“You’re quiet tonight,” Paxton said when Troy slid in.
Troy spun his glass. The ice knocked once. “Long week.”
Paxton’s mouth quirked. “That it? Or is the golden stepson still renting space up there?”
Troy didn’t answer. His eyes cut across the room instead.
Dark hair. Easy smile. A guy at the bar looking back at him like he recognized the offer. Troy held it a beat too long. Let himself feel the pull of something simple. Then he looked back.
“I talked to you about Kevin for a re
