"Deal." The word left my mouth before she even finished.
That same morning, we went to the courthouse and signed the papers.
When we walked out, my three so-called brothers happened to pull up right on cue.
Caspar spotted me first and let out an exaggerated holler. "Well, well! Thaddeus, my man, you actually went through with it?"
Humphrey didn't even bother with me. He walked straight to Beverly and slid his arm around her waist. "Babe, I always told you that broke loser didn't deserve you. Come on, the boys are taking you out to celebrate."
Beverly swatted his chest with a coy little pout. "Oh, stop it. What's the rush?"
"Thaddeus, for old times' sake, we're booking a table at the Grand Regency tonight. A little party to celebrate Beverly's fresh start. You should come have a drink." Joe pulled a hundred-dollar bill from his wallet and flicked it at my feet. "Here. Cab fare."
I looked down at that bill lying on the pavement, and something in me went so cold it came out the other side as a smile.