Once the phone call ended, the slow, agonizing wait for 9:00 PM began.
They made sure to eat dinner early in their hotel room, a non-negotiable routine, considering Rai had a strict regimen of evening medication that Zade refused to let him skip.
Shawn's shift ended at 8:00 PM, and since he needed time to commute home, shower, and unwind, they had all agreed it was best to eat separately beforehand. Besides, 9:00 PM was far too late for a proper dinner anyway.
With Shawn off the following day and working again only the day after tomorrow, the evening stretched open before them. They could comfortably sip their drinks, talk for hours, and catch up late into the night without worrying about a morning alarm.
Naturally, as soon as Rai decided it was time to start getting ready, Zade let out a resigned sigh and followed suit. He knew the drill: either he dressed now, or he suffered Rai's relentless, affectionate nagging.
