x. | I WIN.

“Oh, come on… Have a drink with me.”

@phxstarters​

       Caught, red-handed when Julian pulled up to the table. Maybe that was why she couldn’t fault him for the late appearance. She wouldn’t have been good company for the first fifteen anyway. A sorry excuse for a smile tugged at the corner of Phoebe’s lips as she shook her head. What did he have to apologize for? Nothing. People were late, it happened. Hazel hues followed his line of sight and instantly to went to raise her hand to shush him, shoo his vision elsewhere, as if to say no, don’t! Instead, he took a seat across from her and the brunette ducked her head, a quiet laugh bubbling from red-stained lips. “It’s fine.” When came the questions, fire one after the other, the woman held her hand up, “You missed nothing, believe me.” That’s why she had been listening in to begin with. “And no, I don’t know her.” This time, Phoebe’s face mimicked that of the younger woman, scrunching up in somewhat distaste. “Am I bad person for doing that?” Came the immediate ask from her mouth. In her mind, listening in sometimes meant she could help.

-

Should she tell him she didn’t have plans? Should she tell him her plans were to watch the Cars movie for the 8th time this month, because Connor asked? Chloe kept her lack of plans to herself, thinking it wouldn’t make a difference, either way. Her last name in his voice made her smile softly.

“Um, she hadn’t asked me yet.” The idea of her dear friend Liv and Liv’s brother speaking of Chloe made her stomach turn slightly. Julian agreed to keeping their moment of lapsed judgment between them, but all of the secrets still made her nervous. Her teeth sunk into her lower lip. She wondered though if those nerves arose more because she found herself wanting to repeat her mistakes with him. “I wouldn’t be able to go to New York, though. Not with Connor and the diner.” She shrugged in return. Chloe leaned forward on the counter, a bit closer to him now. “Be nice to your sister.”

“Why do you ask?” She quirked a brow.

“I figured as much.” He assured, a small sigh following the statement, however. “I am, I’m always nice, Chlo. Mr. nice guy, over here.” His tone lacked any real emotion, completely void of the sentiment that it needed to make it believable. After all, he wasn’t aiming for that, as they both knew that was a crock of shit. He simply gave her a nonchalant shrug as she questioned him, “Because I think she’s trying to get someone to go with her, and I was hoping you’d take one for the team.” He responded, this time, his words held more feeling; joking slightly in nature. “While I’m a fan of beautiful girls on the catwalk, the actual experience itself just isn’t for me. Plus, she’d probably have more fun with her girl bestie. Pick up guys, shop --- not have someone tell her to cover up.” He was just imagining the time now, more then sure he’d be the one to do such all of that. Then again, if nothing else, he was sure by the end of it, she’d never ask him to go to another one of these things again. 

If she was under oath Taeylr would have to admit that she did enjoy this a little. If it was not because of their jobs, they wouldn’t be spending any time with each other. Which perhaps was what they should be doing but under oath she could not deny that she missed him. That she missed them and if this awkward angry tension interaction was the best that she could have, she would take it. It was better than nothing. Yet at the same time, it had the same feeling as throwing salt at a wound. Maybe she was just that twisted and fucked up. “I’m glad to know that you still have a big head on your shoulders. Thought without me that it would’ve rolled down already.” she countered with a shake of her head. Taeylr knew that she couldn’t show that this wasn’t as bad as she had thought that it would be. There had to be no hint of absence or remorse over how the direction of their past had played out. This was after all that they had both decided to do. Right?

“You know you can still talk to me as a normal human being right? Hell – I’ve read somewhere that exes can be friends – wild, right?” As soon as the bags hit the counter there was no hesitation as she grabbed it and her fingers started to uncurl the bag, quickly picking up some. “Did you know that some people eat these with chopsticks?”  A hint of amusement flickers behind her eyes as she disclosed the information that she had gotten after their demise. “Apparently it is not ladylike to have red fingers. Did I ever mention the one time I had a client and I was having some and of course – I was wearing a white blazer? Needless to say, the woman thought I had cut my arm and started to puke in my office. Turns out that the sight of blood made her squirm. My new rug only lasted 18 hours.” She recounted the story with a slight roll of her eyes. Whenever the attorney got nervous she rambled about nothing, at least now in age she was able to quickly catch herself and place a pin on it. Cleaning her fingertips with a nearby napkin she nodded as she took her phone out and making the mental note of the items that he wanted. Raising an eyebrow she tilted her head studying him and the octave change in his voice regarding the last question. “What? Did you pick a war with wine? or something? she asked as she pushed to make the call, “Also I’m not the prima donna when it comes to food, Julian.”

There was large part of him that simply wanted this night to be over. The part of him, in which, because he was was extremely uncomfortable. Only, it wasn’t necessarily an easy thing to tell. In fact, he was more then aware that to look at him, you’d think he didn’t care. He was simply just there, going through the emotions. Cold and calm, as the classic Grant trait would give off. And while, apart of him was, in fact, calm -- cold wasn’t the right word to how he was feeling. It was all simply what he needed to give off, however. Distance, a wall, the things that should’ve been up between them to begin with. Or at least, that was what he thought the evening would conclude to. That was, of course, until the subject was no longer on work. Suddenly, it was personal again, and well, that was an area that was rather salty in nature. He simply brushed off the comment on the big head, deciding he’d keep his own to himself. This was, of course, up until the next few words came out of her mouth; words that in all rights weren’t incorrect, persay....

persay.

Only, in Julian’s mind they seemed to set something off, and before he could really think of his wording, he’d bluntly respond, “We’re not exes.” Despite hearing his own words, and not liking the direction they pushed his conversation into, he still preceded to add, “You kinda have to be -- something, to be, you know, an ex. We were simply just experimenting, remember.” His words were sharp, and matter of fact. “This is me being friendly, Underwood.” He wasn’t necessarily trying to cut himself, or her, in the process; simply just realigning their story. He didn’t want to blame her, or make her feel as though she was in the wrong for not feeling what he felt back. That was life, but for him to get through spaces and time when he had to be near her, he wanted the facts to be known, and professionalism be more present then friendliness. His eyes immediately darted to the chop sticks, followed by a story he remembered hearing, now retold. She would start rambling when she was uncomfortable and nervous. He simply looked at her, and softly smiled, a brief nod, instead of informing her that she already told him that, he simply played along. “Tell me the white blazer, at least, went unharmed.” He teased, aware that it had by the grace of god that day, but would later be ruined during a much different scene. 

Never in a million years did he actually think that his marriage would come to an end. Especially not for the reasons that they had. There were moments throughout the process that he had felt that he should be ok with not having kids and accept that their careers was enough. And maybe if Jo hadn’t died them he would’ve been able to keep living like that. However, with his sister’s death he started to see how short things really were. How he was running out of time and that his ex was not going to budge on the subject. Not to mention that the whisper in town made the inference that she had already moved on with her life. “Probably, should’ve held out for one more month. Gave him something to do in september. I am sure that is a slow month for attorneys.” He doubted it but hey it was the thought that counted if he was honest. “Which one are you part of? That way I can avoid it. Think we spend too much time together. People are going to start thinking that we actually tolerate each other. That would be a damn shame.” He grinned widely, forcing his lips to curl upwards to be as obnoxiously smug as he could get away with in that instant. He had to joke, at least for now. Later down the road he would deal with the loss that he had just signed into effect. Miguel quirked a brow, shooting Julian a confused look. “Bro,” he following with a pat to the side of the arm, “You let me go on about my woes and you could’ve just started off with that? What is wrong with you? Let’s go.”

WHERE: a coffee shop :) bc im basic af. WHEN: midday STATUS: open, @phxstarters​

         It was a habit at this point in time. Phoebe would happily blame her job for it, honestly. The way she so easily stuck her nose into things, in-tune to the conversation next to her. A young girl, talking over the phone to what she could only assume to be her mom, or a friend maybe. But she was having relationship troubles, of all things. In Phoenix, of course. Phoebe could never understand why anyone would want to stay with a cheater, work through it even, but she dealt with it all the time. It was tiring, exhausting. Was she watching the girl now? Subtly. Body language, expression, all of it. People deserved to be loved by the right person. She was almost so consumed by her thoughts - actually, she was - she didn’t even notice the person taking a seat across from her, not until the scrape of their chair being pulled in sound in her ears. Dark head of hair whipped around quickly, a look of guilt flashing across her features, “Did you say something?”

-

“How charming.” Chloe teased. Really - she lacked judgment towards him, towards most in the regard of wanting to feel detached. Fear buried itself in a hidden corner of her heart. Sometimes she forgot it was even there - making up excuses for why she never allowed herself to become close to anyone, about why she preferred casual. How cliche. How human. How.. boring. “Who says I don’t have plans tonight?” Her brow raised at his assumption. The corners of her mouth curve prideful towards her ears. His eyes drew her in, the color of the sea. He looked soft in a way that didn’t reflect the man he’d become.

Her dark eyes followed the curve of her eyelid. The harsh lines of her jaw and her cheek bones hid any inclination that she cared whether or not he liked what she’d chosen for him. He liked it though. She knew he’d like it. Her hands ran through her dark brown hair at the nape of her neck. She pulled her locks into a ponytail, still standing in front of him. “I always please.” She hummed nonchalantly as she paid him little attention.

“I mean, you didn’t, and truly, that would be a tragedy.” He assured, “Hopefully, you got some good plans happening. Live a little, you know.” He arched a brow at her, “Can’t be all work, Granger.” Although, that was a phrase he was more then sure on. It’d definitely seem that over the years, he started to realize his life revolved around work, and little less. Maybe because work always seemed so concrete, an area he was capable of being utterly sure of himself in. His love life was not that, by any means. At least, not long term wise. But that fun loving, free kid was still somewhere deep in it. Buried, extremely deep, but still somewhere there.

where — downtown

when  — saturday, 31st july, approximately 10pm

open starter — @phxstarters​​

          Thankfully for her, she had the day off. And, considering shifts were twenty-four hours, she had to say she was pretty damn thrilled it manage to fall on a Saturday. Initially, she was well and truly up for a night of drinking with friends, most of which were from the department too, who were also sporting a free evening. Alas, she quickly realised she wasn’t in the mood for dealing with drunken idiots who thoroughly enjoyed questioning her. Instead, she had decided to venture into the main street, lights fading into the back, and music echoing behind her as she listened t the waterfront not too far from her location. However, her attention was otherwise distracted by a couple of people making a scene. “Five bucks says she found out he’s sleeping with her best friend.” Granted, she couldn’t hear the ins and outs, but she sure as hell was pissed, and kept pointing to some girl on the other side of the road. “Another five says she’s probably pregnant with his kid too, just to top it off.” Wasn’t that the kind of soap opera bullshit people were dealing with these days? Not that she paid much attention, considering her severe lack of free time.

WHO? @juliangrant​

WHERE?  maricopia county fair, downtown phoenix.

WHEN? saturday july 24th, 2021, late at night.

“Telling you man, you should’ve seen her attorney’s face when I walked in with signed documents. Almost like he had seen a ghost or something.” It had been two years of dealing with this divorce. The man couldn’t blame anyone else but himself for that. Miguel had refused to sign, even though Julian had looked over the divorce decree and said it was good to go a couple of thousand times. Miguel had held onto hope that Noa and he would be able to work things out. That somehow the years they had spent together would be worth saving but it became clear that he no longer was her problem and he was defending memories versus a rather marriage. “But I did it. Signed and delivered. Gave her everything she wanted.” He disclosed to his friend before pulling the cigarette from his lips and exhaling into the cold night air. “Now I can join the club of divorced males in this town. I heard they have bi-weekly meetings with activities. Wonder if dodgeball is one of them. Moments like these I do consider giving up the restaurant and heading back to work,”  and if it wasn’t because he knew that the moment he stepped back into the office the remainder of his sister’s murder cold case would be the first thing on his desk he probably would. However, the little sanity he had left reckon that he should deal with one shit show first. The reality that he had accepted defeat and that it was over – not just was Noa went in the sense she had packed up her stuff and made it clear she wasn’t coming back – it was now legally over. “Tell me you have something to distract me from the black hole that is calling my name.” He threw at Julian as he inclined his head to study the man. 

Placing her pencil on her ear as she focused on the notes she had just finished taking; part of her making sure she wasn’t forgetting anything while the other half prohibited herself from looking up. If she looked up her entire focus would be lost and she would wind up saying something she shouldn’t. The woman had done enough damage to herself and to him. She had endless questions that she could conduct her own cross-examination of her co-counsel but none of that mattered right now. Whether they liked it or not they were on the same team which meant they had to work together. Even if she wanted to shake him and ask him how he was able to just be there. To not break character and address the issues that both of them had left go by. Though she was aware how much of a hypocrite she is because here she was conducting herself as if Julian was nothing more than just another attorney that she knew in the town they shared. Showing no evidence of how thin the rope holding back the dam was when it came to them. The dam that threatening to create a flood that held the potential of drowning them at any moment if one move went wrong. She nodded her head hinting that she had heard him. She brought her thumb close to her mouth as it gazed at her lips before she started to nibble at the top of the skin, “True.” A soft hum followed as she bought time narrowing her thoughts to the case. “Prosecution is still going to run loose with the hole we have in our story. We have no place or evidence placing both of them outside of the event.” Neither of them was talking, they both just maintained their innocence which meant two things: either they were lying or the alibi was somehow worth going to jail for. 

As he stood up she felt an undeniable tug towards him that she denied leaving no evidence of such sentiment. Instead, she waited till he moved out of the area giving space before following him into the kitchen, the same kitchen they had danced with the refrigerator light to Billy Joel. “You were always terrible being a hostess. I had to start bringing my own hot Cheeto bags.” she inserted casually, offering to take the first strike against the tension between the two of them. “Ah see I don’t have the luxury of time. We just took another hit down at the office and are down in numbers and up with work,” Due to budget cuts Taelyr had to watch fellow colleagues lose their jobs, and the vacation that she kept chasing seemed to be further away, “I’m saving the damn environment.” She replied softly, gaze still fixed on him. Tension shifting perhaps just a budge as she offered a smile that she usually reserved for a special few. “Thai, please. I can order it if you want? Asnee tends to give me a discount so I can save you a couple of bucks. Wine or soda?”

Julian hardly doubted that it didn’t radiate off of him that he simply didn’t want to do this. Of course, it was his job, and he took his job seriously; but it was truly two different things to have to deal with Taelyr. In public, he could fake it, and focus on the others around them. In private, he was painfully aware that it was just the two of them. And because of this, he was usually forced to pick up on the little things. Things such as the way her hair fell, or the sense of her; that damn perfume she always wore. Little dumb things Julian wouldn’t notice about anyone else majority of the time. He found that to be the most annoying. But despite this, he kept his composure, he had not choice but to. This was a business meeting, they were forced to work this out together. The quicker they got that done, the better this would be for everyone.