It was a valiant hope to have, one that nearly sent Jake under the table. Ears back a bit, Jermaine didn't have to see Jake's tail to know it was wagging nervously.

"Aw, c'mon, man." He smiles, but it's tired. The smile of a man who knows he's caught and too exhausted to run away. "We just cancelled Thursday and everything. Now you wanna real talk?"