Tipping the Balance Read Online Free PDF

to do or how to act. “Let’s get a table; then you can tell me all about this development of yours. I had no idea you were going into real estate after you graduated.”
     
    “Yeah, it just sort of happened,” Brad said.
     
    “I hear that. I’m not sure many children dream of growing up to sell or flip houses, but it’s still kind of fun,” Drew replied.
     
    Drew watched Brad surreptitiously as they entered the restaurant. He saw Brad wipe his palms on his pants several times and glance around repeatedly, far more than necessary to look where he was going. Oh yeah, this guy was nervous. Drew wondered what might be driving Brad, because he sure hadn’t struck Drew as the type to be nervous in his own skin like that.
     
    “So… do you come here often?” Brad asked after they’d sat down, glancing around warily, as if he expected to be attacked before ordering or perhaps ambushed by the woman filling their water glasses.
     
    Drew looked up from the menu. He smiled, trying to put Brad at ease. “From time to time. The food’s good, and they’re usually not so busy that they resent you if you linger over lunch.”
     
    “Oh. That’s good.”
     
    Drew’d had a date like this once. It hadn’t ended well.
     
    With one last glance around, Brad picked up his menu. Drew hoped he didn’t get hung up on the prices. They were pretty reasonable for a Midtown restaurant, and besides, Drew was paying. He would’ve, even if it weren’t deductible, just for the privilege of having an excuse to stare at Brad Sundstrom. He wanted to pinch himself.
     
    “So. I have to admit,” Drew said after they placed their orders, “I’ve been dying of curiosity since you called me yesterday. You said you had some questions for me?”
     
    “Yeah. I really appreciate you meeting me like this. I know you must be busy and all,” Brad said. He picked up his knife, tapping the hilt on the table top.
     
    “It’s my pleasure,” Drew said, and it really was.
     
    But Brad didn’t reply, and Drew sat there, waiting. Expectantly. Waiting.
     
    When the seconds threatened to lengthen into a minute, Drew kicked himself mentally. The guy was nervous. It was time to fill empty space. “After all, you were one of Nick’s favorites. He talked about you all the time.”
     
    “Really? I didn’t know that,” Brad said, smiling his anxious smile again. Drew felt it in the pit of his stomach.
     
    Yep, because I wouldn’t quit pestering him about you , Drew thought. “So… your questions were about real estate, I’m guessing? Since we both know I can’t help you with rowing.”
     
    “Oh,” Brad said, coloring. “Sorry. I guess I’m kind of nervous.”
     
    “Really? I hadn’t noticed,” Drew said blandly.
     
    Brad looked at him for a minute like he was trying to figure out if he was being made fun of, but Drew simply sat there expectantly. “Yeah, I got put in charge of Suburban Symphony when I started working for my dad after graduation.”
     
    “Oh. I mean, wow, that’s great. Right out of school and already in charge of an entire development,” Drew said.
     
    “It sucks ass,” Brad said bluntly.
     
    The combination of Brad and sucking ass took Drew to a place he really didn’t want to go. Rather, he did, a lot, just not in public. He’d never been more grateful for a tablecloth in his life, because he’d gone from zero to painfully hard in seconds.
     
    “Drew?” Brad said.
     
    “Oh, sorry,” Drew said. “I guess I’m not seeing the problem.”
     
    “Yeah, well, people aren’t seeing the houses, either, and the old man’s riding my ass to turn it around,” Brad grumbled.
     
    Drew closed his eyes momentarily. His cock had just zoomed from painfully hard to crammed up against the fly of his pants in a second.
     
    “Hey, man, are you okay? You kind of whimpered or something,” Brad said.
     
    Drew shook his head to clear the visual. “Bit my tongue. I’m sorry, you were saying something