Michael and his two closest friends went to lunch together
every Tuesday and Wednesday when they worked together in the
Graphic Arts building. The three had met during the internship
phase of their careers. At the time, Tommy and Matt had been
surprised to discover their new friend was the future owner of
McAlister Enterprises. The young men spent a lot of time together
womanizing when they weren’t biking, bungee jumping, skydiving,
and any extreme sport they could find or just relaxing at his cabin.
Michael valued his friends because they saw him for who he really
was, just a simple guy who liked to have fun, then hang out in a log
cabin on a lake.
“I’m so hungry my stomach is going to start digesting itself,”
Tommy complained as he opened the menu.
Tommy Harris was the shortest of the three in stature, but
he had the personality to match his reddish-blonde curls. His wild
hair, tattooed leg and style of dress he chose when he wasn’t
working, gave him the look of a professional skateboarder instead of
a graphic artist.
“I think I’m going to get the brontosaurus burger,” Matt
joked as he tossed the menu aside without looking at it. “With lots
of grease.”
Matt Keller was from northern Minnesota and fell victim to
Michael’s teasing because of his slight accent. He was a tall man
with dark brown hair and always looked as if he just climbed out of
bed, which many times was just the case. Being somewhat vain, he
only wore his glasses for reading and not many even knew he had
them. His way with the ladies was sometimes ruthless because he
could drop the clothes off any woman with his obnoxious charm.
“If you get a burger, you might have to warsh your face,”
Michael imitated one of the many words his friend pronounced
differently.
Matt flipped him the finger.
After they placed their orders they chatted quietly about a
project at work until Michael heard a familiar laugh coming from
behind the curtain that separated the booths. His friends obviously
recognized it also and looked at him in silence.
It was his girlfriend, Colleen Chandler and a friend. With a
wicked grin, he held up a finger to his lips and they listened to the
conversation.
“How can you be so sure he’s going to ask you to marry
him?” The friend asked.
“I found a ring box in his coat pocket last night,” Colleen’s
voice carried.
“I can’t believe it. You went through his coat?”
“Well, yeah.”
“What about John Lawrence?”
Michael listened intensely as their food was delivered.
Tommy and Matt sat mute, eavesdropping as well. He knew there
was something wrong with his relationship with Colleen and now he
was getting an earful. This was going to be better than dinner
theater, he thought.
“I’ve been playing with both of them long enough to see
which has more to offer. Oh, he’ll cry in his brandy for a bit, then
move on.”
“So you’d choose Michael over John. Doesn’t the Lawrence
family have more money?”
“They have old money. I’m not sure how much control John
actually has.” Colleen paused. “Besides, Michael has the better
package.”
Tommy spit his drink out; Matt stuffed his napkin in his
mouth to suffocate his laugh. Michael tried to hold back a smile as
he playfully smacked them.
“He’s that good?”
“The best,” Colleen purred. “Any time, anywhere, any way.
Hmm. He knows exactly how I like it.”
Matt and Tommy rolled their eyes, pretended to fan
themselves and slid in their chairs almost going under the table.
Michael covered his face with his hands, embarrassed at both his
friends’ behavior and the subject matter.
“I have a lot to change in that man; he’s a gem but a bit
rough around the edges.” Colleen spoke matter of factly.
“Oh, kind of like the pool boy with a big bank account.”
“Exactly. I think with a little persuasion, I could make a
social star of him. The newspapers already love him with his model
looks and large bank account.” Colleen paused. “Oh, look at the
time, we better get going.”
The three men immersed themselves into their meals and
acted oblivious to the women who stepped near the table. Tommy
stuffed a large piece of food into his mouth. Matt lifted his drink to
his lips. Mike simply hoped the ladies wouldn’t notice the three of
them at all, but they did.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the three musketeers out on a lunch
date.” Colleen stood with one hand on her hip and flipped her hair
with her other. “Do you want me to have the waitress bring extra
napkins over for your pets, Michael?”
“Hello, Colleen. Aren’t you lovely today?” Matt said in a
sultry voice. “Did you have a make over or did you just wake up
ugly?”
Colleen gave him a sneer before turning her attention to
Michael.
“How long have you been here?” She asked.
“Long enough.”
“Are we still on for tonight?”
“How about lobster?” He looked up at her with a smile.
“Sure. I’ll see you later.”
She bent and kissed him on the cheek. As she walked away,
Matt and Tommy pretended to be gagging. Michael waited
patiently until their theatrics were done. He tried to hold back a grin.
“You’re still going out with her right after you heard her
admit she’s sleeping with another guy?” Tommy didn’t hide his
surprise.
“Wait a minute, he’s up to something,” Matt hit him with his
elbow. “Lobster, eh?”
“Yep,” Michael grinned, “at Ralph’s Lobster Shack.”
“Great! The best dumpy lobster kitchen in town.” Tommy
wiped his hands with a napkin, “What time do you want us there?”
His friends erupted into laughter. Within moments he had
formulated a plan to break up with Colleen. It was going to be too
easy.
“So Matt,” Michael decided to change the subject. “I tried
calling you last night and got your answering service. What were
you up to?”
“Nothing much.” He munched on his burger. “Just grudge
fucked my ex-girlfriend’s best friend.”
“What?” Tommy yelled. “I thought you were mad at both of
them.”
“Yeah, I was.”
“Are you going to see her again?” Michael tried not to laugh.
“No, are you kidding? But I feel much better,” he spoke
calmly. “I suggest you try it sometime, Mikey. Hey, are you going to eat that pickle?”
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