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It tells me something all right.
If Oliver is friends with Tanaka, he might be sketchy too. I put a pin in that thought to unravel later when I’m not having an existential crisis over this blossoming friendship I’m having with Dempsey.
Jamie: I think you should text him back and set up a date. Do it now.
I’m reminded of when we were twelve years old, running the streets together. She was bossy back then as well. Relentless, too.
Me: You’re not going to let me out of this are you?
Jamie: Nope. Text me back once you’ve set a date.
Grimacing, I open the text messages between me and Oliver. He was nice and friendly when he reached out a few days ago to ask me out. We talked back and forth a little bit to get to know each other. And, while he seemed like a decent guy, I just wasn’t in the mood to go on a date. Especially with all that’s going on with my family.
Me: Hey, Oliver. I might have some time this weekend if you want to meet up for lunch or something. It’s kind of last minute, so no big deal.
The dots move for a few seconds and then he immediately responds.
Oliver: I can’t do lunch, but what about dinner on Saturday? There’s this cool little pizza place I’ve been wanting to try. Pick you up at 7?
The last thing I want to do is go to dinner with this man, but it’ll get Jamie off my back and hopefully distract me from thinking strange things about Dempsey.
Me: I’ll meet you there. 7 is great.
I send him a thumbs-up emoji to end the conversation. At least I hope it’s a conversation ender. Then I flip back over to Jamie and reply.
Me: We’re having dinner on Saturday night. Happy?
She sends me dozens of heart-eyed emojis and then offers to help me with my makeup, which I vehemently refuse. I finally get her off my case when I promise we can have brunch Sunday morning so I can fill her in on how it went.
My phone starts ringing and I brace myself for Jamie’s excitement but freeze when Dempsey’s name flashes across the screen.
Why is he calling?
Panicking, I send it to voicemail before shooting him a text.
Me: What’s up? I’m a little tied up at the moment.
He sends me a bunch of big eyes emojis that I’m unable to interpret.
Dempsey: When you get a chance, call me back. I’ve already been collecting intel on your nephew.
My stomach twists, making me regret eating more fast food tonight for dinner. I’m going to have to start cooking or something because I can’t take much more of Kaden’s food choices. He sure as hell hates my microwavable dinners. We’re going to have to meet in the middle.
I start drafting a long text, but before I can complete it, Dempsey calls again. This time, I hop up from the sofa and slip out onto the back patio to privately take the call.
“Hello?”
A deep voice chuckles from the other end. “I knew you weren’t too busy to talk to me.”
Why does he sound so much older on the phone?
“What do you have for me?” I ask with a huff. “Is he okay?”
He clears his throat and launches into what he called for, saving me from my awkwardness. “Trevor is friends with a dipshit named Charlie, who works at the lodge. My friend Omar says Trevor is always up there with Charlie and some other kid, Alex. They hang out during their breaks behind the main building. Could be smoke breaks, but it’s kind of strange Trevor goes up there if he doesn’t even work there.”
My thoughts exactly.
“I’m going to go scope it out tonight,” he says, voice matter-of-fact. “See what I can find out while I’m there.”
