AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The only upside of the traffic is that I’ve managed to align the trip with Harley’s daily radio show. I’m ashamed to admit it but I’ve been listening to it every day for the past two weeks, even going through the archives on the WQXR to listen to old episodes.
I’ve got to say, she’s an absolute pro. She manages to somehow handle her guests with the utmost respect and is also able to probe them with questions most people might get slapped in the face for asking.
This week, she’s speaking with an animal breeder. Currently, through the speakers of my car, a cross-examination is going on.
“Is there really a thing as responsible breeding?” Harley asks, her black cherry voice slinking out of the speakers. Somehow, though she’s only in her twenties, her voice resonates with more wisdom and gravitas than should be allowed.
“Absolutely. As you can see from our livestreams, the conditions are immaculate. The puppies are loved from the moment they’re born and are able to go into homes without histories of illness or trauma,” her guest, an older woman with a crinkly voice, replies. I think her name is Marcia.
“Yes, of course, I don’t mean to question your level of care,” Harley responds. I can hear another question lingering in her voice. She manages to keep me hooked. And it’s not just because I can’t get her out of my mind. The reviews of her show say just as much as well. “But when our animal shelters and foster systems are full to the brim with animals that are in need of care, is purposefully breeding them an ethical thing to do?”
Her guest pauses.
“I’m only asking. I hope that over our past three days together, I’ve proven to you that all my questions are from a place of curiosity rather than judgment.”
Yes, curiosity. That’s a word I could use myself these days.
I’m verycuriousabout Harley Solace. I’ve somehow managed to explore her body, get to know what she likes, the feeling of her luscious hair in my hands. But I still don’tknowher. I’ve never known her. Even when she was a girl. By the time she was born, I was becoming busier and busier with work. The second youngest Solace girl.
Too bad I can never be close to her again.
I finally make it to Urth Café, an LA staple. Kent loves it because they do fun art on their matcha lattes. He’s a kid at heart. Maybe having so many himself keeps him young.
The moment I clap eyes on him, my heart sinks. He’s sitting at a café table on the sidewalk wearing a pair of aviators. He’s a generally good-looking guy. I’m not sure why he hasn’t tried dating since his divorce or what he’s waiting for. His excuse is that he looks too old, but I think his graying dirty blonde hair and wrinkles appearing on his forehead just make him look more…refined.
What do I know, though? I’m not a woman.
“Hey! Over here!” Kent shouts, raising his hand when he spots me. His grin is so dopey I feel like a monster. I haven’t seen him since the party, haven’t had to face my guilt right in the eye like this.
I slept with his daughter and he doesn’t even know what a horrible person I am.
It was a one-time thing, Grant. Will never happen again. A total fluke.
Yes, a total fluke. A waking dream. That means it basically didn’t happen. Right?
I go over to the table. “Sorry, I’m running late.”
“Don’t worry about it. Got you a latte. Half-caf. I know you’re trying to cut back,” he says, gesturing to the cup of coffee at the empty chair. It looks like the barista made a heart design with the milk.
“How much do I owe you?” I ask as I take a seat.
Kent scoffs. “You’re joking, right?”
“Maybe.” Maybe not.
“It all comes out in the wash, right?” Kent says before swiping his matcha latte off the table and taking a long sip.
We’ve been friends long enough that the money equals out in the end, although I’m the one with the heftier bank account these days.
“Besides, what are friends for?” he adds.
Apparently, for fucking your daughter.
Jesus, this intrusive thought just isn’t going to quit, is it?
“How’ve you been since last I saw you?” Kent asks.
“Trying to recover from my hangover,” I say with a half-smile.
