Dry as Rain Read Online Free PDF Page A

on the showroom LX.
    â€œDude’s upside-down on his trade,” Juan said. “There’s no way we’re going to be able to eat that difference.”
    I tried to ignore Larry’s eyes on me. “Putting up any cash?”
    Circling his thumb and finger to make a big, fat, zero, Juan shook his head.
    Larry finally turned around. “What car do you have him on?”
    â€œLX,” was Juan’s reply.
    I glanced through the window at the man. He looked like he had money, but then so did every sales guy on the lot in their crisp, tailored suits. I’d learned a long time ago all that glittered wasn’t gold. “Move him down to an LT.”
    Juan hesitated. No doubt he wanted the bigger commission, but sometimes aiming lower meant not losing the sale altogether. “He really likes the leather seats.”
    Larry shrugged. “Tell him he can’t be drinking Dom Perignon on a Budweiser budget.”
    I dismissed Juan with a wave of hand. “You heard him. The LT, Santana. Tell him cloth’s warmer.”
    Looking dejected, he nodded.
    When Juan was out of earshot, Larry turned back around. “Where were you last night?”
    I had planned my answer for the inevitability of this question. Why my friend hadn’t asked earlier in the day was the only surprise. “I was feeling sorry for myself, so I went to Millstone’s, had one too many, and woke up in the backseat of my car in their parking lot.”
    His eyes narrowed. “Millstone’s, how appropriate. Was she with you?”
    I laughed, hoping it didn’t sound as phony as it felt. “C’mon Larry, is she old enough to even drink?”
    He sucked his teeth. “You tell me.”
    I tried to answer him, but he barreled ahead. “She’s a pretty girl, man, but she ain’t your wife.”
    â€œI just told you I wasn’t with her last night.”
    â€œI’d like to believe you, but . . .”
    â€œBut what?”
    â€œBut I don’t.” He took his glasses off and pointed them at me. “You’re talking to someone who’s been cheated on. The damage you’re getting ready to do can’t be undone.”
    I wanted to tell him that he was a day late and a dollar short with his warning, and that this was nothing like what he had gone through with his ex anyway. Tina had cheated on a faithful, hardworking man who adored her. I only strayed after Kyra accused me of it then kicked me out of my own house. “You know, as long as we’ve been friends, I would think you’d have a little more faith in me. That you’d know me better than that.”
    â€œI do know you, and that’s why we’re having this conversation. You’ve been eyeing Dani like a cat in a canary cage and she’s been sprinkling herself with hot sauce.”
    Just then, my cell phone beeped three times, indicating I had a text message. Even before I looked, I knew it was from Danielle.
    Hey U. Can we talk?
    I had all the talking I could stand for one day. After deleting the message, I set the phone on my desk. “Man, give me a break. You’re my friend, not my mother. Next you’re going to tell me as long as I live under your roof, I have to do as you say.”
    â€œYou don’t have to do anything. But I ain’t going to aid and abet a cheater. You’re separated, not divorced. Big difference.”
    Juan stuck his head back in the doorway. “I need your dealer tag.”
    I huffed. “Where’s yours?”
    â€œI got a guy out on demo.”
    I yanked the desk drawer open and grabbed the metal plate. “You just gonna let everyone drive our cars around, or you planning on closing one of these deals?”
    Juan looked like he might cry. Of course his basset hound eyes looked like that even when he was laughing. “I’m working on it.”
    Paper clips clung to the magnet bar on the back of the plate. I swiped