AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Yes, of course. She has set me up with chicks too... some hot ones.” He leaned in closer. “I’ll confess something to you if you promise not to sucker punch me.”
“What?”
“Let’s just say Meagan and I have some history. But recently, she always turns me down. I think she hates me!”
I cocked an eyebrow. “I hope you don’t think I’m surprised. Meagan told me once you two had met at a bar for a few brewskis….”
Chase held up his hand. “Let’s just leave it there. Okay?”
I shrugged.
“Now, let’s get back to you. So, looks like a green light all the way with this Ariel chick. Maybe, skip the zoo and take her out to dinner and a few drinks. Have someone clean up your place and take her there." Chase licked the foam off his lips. "And take her home after round two in the morning."
I held up my hand. "No. No. It's nothing like that. Ariel, she's different. But for the life of me, I can't understand why my sister is vehemently objecting to us going out. I mean, she came over to Ariel's apartment while I was there and showed her ass big time. Had a fit that I was seeing her best friend."
"Oh, damn!” Chase exclaimed. "That sucks."
"I know, right? I thought the same thing. And Ariel handled it like a champ. Didn't get upset at all."
Chase nodded his head. "I see why you are into her."
"But here's the kicker... Ariel just moved back to the states after recently breaking up with her boyfriend after a long relationship. When I tried to ask her about it, she refused to even talk about him.”
"Hmm," Chase said, squinting and nodding again. "That is interesting."
"So you see my dilemma?" I asked, taking a swig of my brew. "Why is my sister being such a bitch about this? And why won't Ariel tell me anything about her past relationship?"
Chase shrugged. "I'm not sure. But I think you should pursue it and find out."
I nodded in agreement. "I think so too. But there is another concern.”
“Yeah, I know what you’re thinking. The mystery man or woman or whatever.” Chase squinted, gathering his thoughts. “This dark cloud hanging over our heads is a nightmare. It’s like we know another shoe is going to drop, but we don’t know who or when. And, let’s face it. Carter is not all that impressive. I don’t think he’s coordinating with the FBI like he should.”
I rubbed my free hand on my thigh. “Really, I don’t want to bring anyone inside our loop… for so many reasons.”
“I agree, but we can’t just put our lives on hold forever. Someone needs to light a fire under Carter’s scrawny ass. I’d love to plant my fist in that fucker’s face.”
“I don’t advise that, my friend.” I snickered.
Chase shrugged. “Anyway, getting back to you. Why don’t you hire private security to follow you and then explain to Ariel she will need to also have a bodyguard if things….”
“Oh, joy. That will be the clincher. Maybe, that’s the reason Meagan is being so weird about me seeing her friend.” I sighed. “Well, come to think of it. I’m pretty sure Ariel knows the situation with the killer. She is a mystery author and reads everything she can get her hands on that has anything to do with crime. And she did mention she was sorry I was going through this mess. So, if she were worried about it, I don’t think she would have invited me to her apartment in the first place.”
“Oh, I see. That makes sense.” Chase nodded.
We sat for a few moments thinking to ourselves until Chase spoke up again. "Well, I don't know, man. I see how Daniel and Ryder are settling down and how happy they are with family life. Who would have guessed Daniel had a daughter. There is no doubting it… even if there was no DNA test, she is the spitting image of him. And you gotta wonder, really, dude… how fate brought them together from all the way across the country? That's amazing, isn't it!"
"What are you getting at?"
"Think about it. We aren't getting any younger, you know. How long can we keep going… living like we used to when we were frat boys back in college? Easy come, easy go."
I palmed my hair. "That's another problem. Ariel is around Meagan's age. They were friends in high school. I always thought she was cute… but I was knee-deep into every pussy I could find when I met her. I did check her out. I'll admit that to you… but never to my sister. Ariel's got a great ass. That I did remember and confirmed it the other night."
Chase snorted. "So, how many years are you talking about? What's the difference in age between the two of you?"
"Let's see. There are eight years between my sister and me. So, it has to be about that between us too. Maybe Meagan is a year or two older. Seems like I remember something about that when I was visiting home once.
"So, what's your plan? Or do you have one? You seem confused about this." Chase scowled.
