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I put the phone back down and adjusted my towel before it fell off my hips. Yeah, this was my home, but I didn't want to scare Bernice, if she was still around somewhere. She'd do that thing where she makes the sign of the cross in front of herself and walk away muttering under her breath.
That was what she did the last time. Before threatening to quit for real if she sees my dick again.
I took two steps away. The phone rang again.
I stepped back, picked it up and squinted at the screen. The number was one I didn't recognise. It was probably the press. I should ignore it, but I hit 'answer' anyway and held the phone to my ear.
"Hello?"
"Chase?" a woman's voice came down the line. Or the airwaves, or whatever they called it these days. "This is Ashley Levitt."
I frowned. It took me a moment to remember who she was. Finally, I snapped my fingers.
"Kris Richards' girlfriend." I'd known Kris since high school. His parents found it hilarious to remind everyone his middle initial was P. He hated it. Funny how that goes.
His last name could have been Bacon. That would be worse and more obvious. At least it takes people a while to realise his name was Crispy Dick.
"Uh, yeah," Ashley replied. "I was just wondering if you have some time to talk. In person."
I hesitated. "If this is one of those 'I want to hook up with my boyfriend's best friend behind his back, things?—"
"It's not," she said quickly.
I didn't know her well. We'd met a few times at parties and bars. I'd always thought she seemed nice. Dependable. If she told me she wasn't up to anything bad, I believed her. For now, anyway.
"It's kinda important," she added.
"Does Kris know you're calling?" I asked.
"Not exactly. He and I aren't together anymore," she said. "Before you think anything, I'm not looking to hook up. It's—" Her breath muffled the line. "It's something you're going to want to know, okay?"
"Okay," I said slowly. I tried to get my head around that. Hadn't Kris and her been together for a year or two? I hadn't seen him for a while, but he'd seemed happy.
"Is everything all right?" I asked. "Kris isn't?—"
"He's fine," she said quickly. "Last time I saw him." She sounded bitter.
"What did he do?" I asked. I meant it as a joke, but she was silent for a moment.
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about."
"Right. Well, I can meet you somewhere." I couldn't remember if she'd been here, to my place, before. I had the sense she'd prefer neutral territory. Kris was my friend. Technically I should be on his side after a breakup. Inviting her here could end badly. Besides, Brandi was the jealous type. If I invited Ashley here and Brandi turned up, she'd get pissy.
I didn't want to deal with that right now.
"Okay. What about Waves?" she suggested.
The bar was pretty much the go-to bar for the whole team. Owned by the cousin of Hawk Florence, the Rapids’ quarterback,it was a nicer place than most of the bars in Storm Valley, but without being fancy.
They also made the best burgers this side of just about anywhere.
"Yeah, okay," I agreed. "In an hour?" They'd be open for lunch by then. I could get a meal as well as having a chat with Ashley. Win.
"I'll be there," she said. "Thanks."
"Yeah. Bye." I hung up.
Brandi had called again while I was talking to Ashely, but hadn't left a message this time either. I thought about calling her, but heard Bernice singing to herself. She was getting closer. Now would be a good time to get back to my room and get dressed.
