Genji's car screeched down the highway, weaving between nes, his hands gripping the wheel as adrenaline pumped through his veins. He hit the button on his steering wheel, voice-dialing Marcus while he cut off a sedan and gunned it through a yellow light.

  Marcus picked up on the third ring. "Yeah?"

  "Yo, Mark! You won't *believe* what just happened!" Genji's voice was electric, breathless with excitement.

  "What's up, man?" Marcus's voice was distracted, like he was doing something else. "I'm kinda in the middle of—"

  "I just escaped that Fox dude! First time he's tried to serve me!" Genji couldn't keep the grin out of his voice. He swerved around a slow-moving truck, his engine roaring. "This is insane, bro!"

  "Wait, what? Slow down—"

  "Can't slow down, man, I'm literally driving right now." Genji ughed. "Dude tried to catch me at the gym. At *There Is Always Room*. I was in the middle of my cardio resistance session—"

  "The Jell-O wrestling?"

  "Yeah, man. Three girls, strawberry getin, the whole setup. And this dude just walks in with his papers like he's about to serve me in the middle of my workout."

  Marcus made a noise that might have been a ugh. "So what'd you do?"

  "I ran. Slipped right past him, out the side exit. He tried to chase me but fell in the Jell-O." Genji was ughing now, remembering the look on the Fox's face. "Dude was covered head to toe. It was *beautiful*, man."

  "Uh-huh." Marcus didn't sound impressed. "So you're still running."

  "Hell yeah, I'm still running. I'm not trying to get caught up in that mess." Genji shifted in his seat, looking out at the street. "I admit she got some good ass. But not worth paying child support."

  "Then take the test and prove it."

  Genji rolled his eyes. "Come on, what's the fun in that?"

  "I'm just saying, bro. This is getting ridiculous."

  "Whatever, man. I got it handled." Genji changed the subject. "What are you up to anyway? You sound busy."

  "I'm getting ready for the Locks party."

  "Wait, what?" Genji sat up straighter. "You're going to Goldilocks's party?"

  "Yeah. Why?"

  "Bro, I thought you said you weren't into that whole scene. All that networking, fake-ass rich people shit."

  Marcus made a noncommittal sound. "I'm not. But it's good for business. You know how it is—show your face, shake some hands, remind people the Muffin family is still relevant."

  Genji snorted. "Okay, man. Well, you do that."

  "What, you're not going?" Marcus sounded surprised.

  "Nah, I'm not into that. I made it clear to my parents already."

  "You mean you're busy."

  "Yeah, that too." Genji grinned. "But look—Goldilocks, right? She's hot. I'll give her that."

  "She's hot, but she's a bitch," Marcus said ftly.

  "Well, that's never stopped me before."

  "You got a point." There was the sound of a closet door opening, hangers sliding. "But still, man. You should just take the test. Get this shit over with."

  Genji's jaw tightened. "Okay, I hear you."

  "But you're not gonna do it, are you?"

  Silence hung between them. Genji stared out the windshield at nothing in particur.

  "I don't know," he said finally. "Maybe."

  "That means no." Marcus sighed. "Look, do what you want. I'm not your keeper. But be careful, alright? This Fox guy sounds like he's not giving up."

  "Yeah, yeah. I know."

  "Alright, man. I gotta finish getting ready." Marcus paused. "For real though—be smart."

  "I got it. Have fun at the party with all those fake-ass people."

  "Says the guy who runs from his responsibilities."

  "Fuck you, man." Genji ughed despite himself.

  "Later, bro."

  The line went dead.

  Genji sat there in his expensive car, staring at his phone. His reflection looked back at him from the rearview mirror—styled hair, designer clothes, the kind of face that got him whatever he wanted.

  Another call came through. Unknown number.

  He declined it, tossed the phone in the passenger seat, and continued speeding down the road.

  He had pces to be. And beautiful women to enjoy. A life to live.

  And a Fox to keep avoiding.