“All right. Let’s do this before I change my mind. You want to go next door?”
“Yes. Come on.” The club is still deserted, but I think she should get the full experience. I gently press my hands onto her shoulders and push her towards the exit. We go inside the strip club, and I sit her down. I can see her hands are shaking.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of,” I say.
“That’s easy for you to say. You’re not about to find out who you’re going to spend the rest of your life with.”
“Well, technically, you’re not either. Take a deep breath and close your eyes.”
She does what she’s told, and I take hold of her hands.
I focus on my friend and the vision about to materialise.
I smile.
“What?”
“Rox, close your eyes. Do not look at me.”
“You’re smiling. Why are you smiling?”
“Because you’re going to be happy. I know you, and I can guarantee that sometime within the next year and a half, you’ll meet someone you’ll adore instantly. It could be tomorrow, but it could also be eighteen months away.”
She starts to tear up, which is something I’ve never seen her do.
“Really?”
“Yes!”
She leans over and wraps me in a hug. “Kellan, you’re the best.”
I laugh. “I never get sick of hearing that.”
She pulls away, and I look at her. “You don’t want to know more?”
“Nope. What you said is perfect.”
“All right. Are you paying for that on credit card?”
She’s about to protest, until she realises I’m teasing. “Dick.”
“Come on. You’ve got a bar to check on, and you can relax for a while. Have a fling. Or not. It’s totally up to you. But just know you’ll get your happily ever after soon.”
Roxy practically skips back to the bar, which looks quite bizarre for someone wearing black leather pants and a red and black lace bodice top.
When she’s out of my sight, my face falls. I always liked that neither Roxy nor I knew when our soulmates were coming, but seeing her so happy makes me wonder if I really have been deceiving myself.
I wish I could feel what Roxy is feeling right now.
What if I’m different to everyone else because of what I do?
I might not even have a soulmate.
SIXTEEN
Beatrix
Once I get home from work, I set about texting the three women Roxy mentioned yesterday were past clients of Kellan’s. I don’t give away too much in my messages, because I think it will be better to meet them in person, so I make appointments to catch up with them all in the next few weeks. I’ll be seeing Samantha on Sunday, and the other two after that. I would have preferred to meet them sooner, but I’m just going to have to be patient.
I spend the evening working on a speech I’m going to be giving in Singapore. I’ve presented every year for the last three years, and it should be getting easier, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Public speaking is definitely up there as one of my least favourite things. People like Kellan are also on that list—as in, those who lie or take advantage of others for their own gain.
Just as I’m contemplating heading off to bed, there’s a knock at the door. I glance at my watch. It’s after 10pm, which means it can only be one person.
“Hey, Charlie.” I muster a half-hearted smile. I love my friend, but tonight I’m not sure I can handle her craziness.
She grimaces at me and pushes past to go down the hall to my living room. “Hey. Sorry for being late. I’m too tired to drive home, so I was going to crash here. Is that cool?”
“Sure. You want a cup of tea?”
“Yes, please.”
I busy myself in the kitchen, boiling water in the kettle. “What have you been doing this evening?”
“I met up with some guy from Tinder, but I wasn’t feeling it. We had dinner at Wandering Cooks, and the food was amazing, but he wouldn’t get off his damn phone. I even gave him an extra chance by allowing him to buy me gelato for dessert, but he just got worse. I swear he was lining up a booty call while I was eating my dulce de leche cone.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, sweetie. That’s crappy.”
She heads for the cupboard and removes a packet of chocolate chip cookies to go with our tea, immediately shoving one in her mouth.
I laugh. “Wasn’t dinner and gelato enough for you?”
“You know I eat when I’m depressed.”
“There’s no need to be depressed. You have me, and lots of other people to keep you entertained. You don’t need that guy.” I conveniently leave out any mention of the redhead she’s supposed to meet in a year’s time. Mostly because I don’t believe he’s real, and I don’t think it would be helpful anyway.
“I’m just sick of being on my own,” she says, sighing.
“You know, we’ve joked about it before, but do you want to seriously think about moving in with me?”
“Really?”
“Yeah, why not? You shouldn’t feel like you have to rush into a relationship just so you can live with someone else. And I think it would work well for us. I know we spend a lot of time together at work, but we also travel for meetings. I reckon there’d be at least a few months of the year where there’s just one of us here. Oh, and you wouldn’t have to ask your parents to look after Pixie as often, because I can take care of her while you’re away.” Charlie is always complaining that her mum feeds Pixie too much food and she’s getting a bit chunky as a result. Besides, I love that little toy poodle, and would be happy to co-parent with Charlie.
“That’s a good point.” She looks around. “And I do like this house.”
“Actually, I was thinking of selling and finding another place.”
She stares at me. “Why?”
I avoid eye contact. “It…it doesn’t have the greatest association for me.” I’ve always told Charlie I inherited some money from an elderly long-lost relative who died, and that’s how I was able to afford this house. She doesn’t know the truth.
“How come?” she asks, looking confused.
I get out some tea bags and put them in a couple of mugs, topping them up with water. “I haven’t been completely honest with you about how I paid for this place.”
“Oh, God. You’re not secretly a drug mule or anything, are you?”
I snort. “No. Nothing like that.” I usher her over to the couch. Once we’re seated, I take a deep breath. “I didn’t inherit money from an elderly relative. Dad bought me this place after Mum died.”
She wrinkles her brow. “Oh. Why didn’t you just tell me that?”
“Because…because she didn’t die of a brain aneurysm.”
Her eyes widen. “How did she die?”
“She committed suicide. My dad cheated on her multiple times, and she couldn’t handle it. This house is basically his way of trying to feel less guilty about what he did. I thought maybe I could get past it eventually, and make this place my own, but I still think about it every day. I’ve decided I need a change of scene.”
Charlie quickly puts down her teacup and envelops me in a hug. “Oh, honey, I’m so sorry. I never knew. You should have told me. I would have understood.”
“I know you would have. But I didn’t want to think about it myself. I haven’t spoken to Dad in years, and it’s easier to pretend he’s dead too, rather than imagine him with some other woman.”
“Did he ever remarry?”
“I don’t know, and I don’t care. The only decent thing he ever did was put the house in my name, so I would never have to talk to him again if I wanted to sell.”
“Jesus. I can’t believe you’ve been processing this all on your own for so long. No wonder you have a crappy view of relationships. And on top of that, there’s what Brock did to you…”
“Exactly. So can you see now why I struggle with what Kellan does? My mum thought Dad was her soul
mate, but obviously he wasn’t. And I’ve never told anyone this, but I thought Brock might have been a long-term commitment before he…” I trail off, tears pricking my eyes.
Charlie tucks my head under her chin and strokes my hair. “Honey, just because your parents had a messed-up relationship doesn’t mean there aren’t any good ones out there. And I knew Brock wasn’t the one for you at the time, but you needed to see it for yourself.”
“When did you know Brock wasn’t the one?”
“Pretty much from day one. But I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. Man, if I ever see that guy again, I’m going to punch him in the face.”
I smile, despite my sadness. “You are very sweet.”
“I just knew you wouldn’t appreciate it if I told you I didn’t like him while you were still together.”
“You’re probably right.” I start to cry. “Do you know Kellan tried to do his thing on me, and it didn’t work?”
Her eyes widen. “But I thought you didn’t believe in that stuff?”
“I don’t. At least, the factual part of my brain doesn’t. But I still want to know I’ll meet someone who cares enough to want to spend their life with me.”
Charlie makes me look her straight in the eye. “I promise there is someone out there for you.” She suddenly laughs. “Will you look at the two of us? Pining over our lack of men when we are hot, intelligent women. We don’t need boyfriends or husbands to make us happy.”
I wipe the tears from my eyes. “You’re right. So, does that mean you’ll help me find a new place and live there with me?”
“Of course. But if you happen to meet someone in the meantime that you want to shack up with instead, I promise I won’t be offended if you change your mind.”
“Even if I do meet someone in the next few months, I won’t be rushing in to living with them.”
“I’m just putting it out there.” She yawns. “Anyway, I suppose we should get to bed. We have work in the morning, and it sounds like you might want to do some house hunting this weekend. Count me in for inspections.”
“Thanks, babe. You’re the best.”
“Right back atcha.”
I make up the linen in the spare room for Charlie and pour her a glass of water.
I’m really lucky to have her in my life.
SEVENTEEN
Kellan
I almost call in sick to Heaven Sent this week. After last night’s session with Roxy, and a big week at the lab, I’m not in the mood to be ‘on.’ But the idea of being home alone with my thoughts is worse. I drag myself into the club and order a double scotch neat to be delivered to my booth.
Tonight, the music gets on my nerves. A fairly well-known DJ works the same hours as me, and I normally like his stuff, but for some reason it now sounds like nails grating down a chalkboard.
Even the regular club-goers annoy me. A whole bunch of people trying too hard to impress each other, and for what? So that they can have meaningless sex later and then move onto someone else in a few days? The chance of someone finding their soulmate in this club tonight is next to nil. Well, unless you count my regular bookings, which I’m still taking, but I run through them on autopilot.
A pretty brunette approaches me between sittings.
“Do you mind if I join you?” she asks.
I magnanimously wave my hand at the empty space beside me in the booth.
She sits down and sips the glass of red wine she brought with her. “I expected the famous Kellan Gallo to be a little more…I don’t know…showman-y,” she says.
I laugh without humour. “Sorry to disappoint, sweetheart.”
“Oh, I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. How many other people are lucky enough to see the real you?”
I study her for a moment. “The real me isn’t just confined to one particular mood or skill.”
“Of course it isn’t.” She smiles. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to judge you. You must be so sick of people getting you wrong. Or not appreciating you for who you are, rather than what you can do for them.”
Now she has my attention. I notice she has long glossy hair and a slightly wild, natural look about her makeup.
“What did you say your name was?”
“I didn’t. But it’s Erika.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Erika.”
“Do you know the name Kellan means swamp?”
I throw back my head and laugh. “I did know that, but it’s not exactly a favourable association, is it?”
“I don’t know. Swamps can be pretty. I think people underestimate them.” She gives me a meaningful look. “Like I’m sure people underestimate you.”
I grin. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”
“I’m not trying to kiss your ass. I just like having real conversations.”
“Normally, I’d agree with you, but I’m afraid reality is a little…confusing right now.”
“In what way?”
I sigh. “I’ve recently had a few things happen that have made me question…” I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Please, I want to hear what you have to say.” She strokes my arm. “We could go somewhere a little quieter?”
I look down at her fingers stroking my arm, and for some reason, it reminds me of when Beatrix grabbed me the night we met, when the cab got that flat tyre.
I gaze into Erika’s eyes. I could do worse than a night with a beautiful girl who seems to share a similar worldview to me.
“Would you like to come back to my place?” I ask.
Her face lights up. “Lead the way.”
“I’ll just tell Roxy I’m leaving, and I’ll get her to reschedule the rest of my bookings.”
“No problem. I’ll meet you outside.” She disappears into the crowd, and I head over to where Roxy is serving behind the bar. Even though she owns the place, she loves to be at the centre of all the action. She’s busy mixing a cocktail, so I get out my phone and idly navigate to Facebook. When I click the search function, Charlie’s name comes up. I open her page and see Beatrix as a shared friend. Damn that woman. I click on her profile and see her bio photo. She’s beaming at the camera in a way I haven’t seen in real life. I wonder if she was drunk when it was taken. The background is dark, and she’s holding a cocktail.
I don’t notice Roxy hovering over me until she speaks.
“Oh, so you decided to do the game show after all?” she says.
I turn to her. “No, why?”
She points at Beatrix’s photo. “Um, because that’s the casting chick?”
I almost choke on my own saliva. “Excuse me, she’s what?”
“The one who asked about your previous clients because she wants to put you on her psychic show?”
“Are you sure this is her?” I check.
She wrinkles her brow. “Yes. She has a pretty distinctive look. Why?”
“I’ll explain later.”
I’m suddenly not in the mood to go home with Erika.
Outside, I find her leaning against the club’s wall.
“You ready?” she asks.
“Actually, something’s come up. Sorry. Do you mind if we take a rain check?”
She is sweet enough to take it all in stride. “Sure. Give me your phone.”
I look at her. “Why?”
“Because I’m going to give you my number.”
“Oh, right.” I fumble around for one of my cards and give it to her. “Here’s mine. Call me next week.”
She raises an eyebrow. “Okay.”
I lean over and give her a quick kiss on the cheek. “I apologise for this. You’re amazing. We’ll talk soon.”
I head up the road and in search of a cab.
I’m going to find Beatrix and see what the hell is going on.
EIGTHTEEN
Beatrix
I end up staying at Charlie’s house on Friday night, since there are a few houses near hers that I want to see on Saturday morning. I’ve been wondering if
I might prefer moving a bit farther out of town and closer to the ocean for a change.
We get pizza from a local restaurant and go back to Charlie’s place to eat it. She rents a little brick house on a quiet street. Once inside, I give Pixie a cuddle while Charlie puts on some music and turns up the volume to a level only slightly quieter than a jet engine.
“Do you ever get any noise complaints from the neighbours?” I yell above the nineties grunge.
“Nah. The lady next door is almost deaf, so she doesn’t care. And the couple on the other side hold some pretty interesting-looking parties, so they know not to make a fuss. Let’s just say they often have multiple couples visit and no one leaves until the next day.”
“Um, okay.” I change the subject. “So, how are you feeling since your Tinder date?”
“Not too bad. I’m trying to move on and reassess my options. For the record, I’ve totally given up on Kellan ever noticing me. I know you’re not interested in him, but if you were, he’d totally be into it. I think he’s quite upset you’ve been so harsh on him.”
“I’m pretty sure he’s moved on by now. Which is probably a good thing. He reminds me too much of Brock.”
She scoffs. “No way. Kellan is nothing like Brock.”
“He was just as charming.”
“Yeah, but Kellan is kind. He would never treat you the way Brock did.”
I’m not so sure. “Kellan gives off that same I’m the centre of the universe vibe that Brock used to have.”
“I think you should ease up on him a little. Besides, if you did get together, you would have the most gorgeous-looking babies.”
“Oh my God, Charlie! Way to get ahead of yourself there. Anyway, we were talking about you, not me. Hey, what do you think of Elijah?” I’m curious to see what she makes of him, since I haven’t yet told her about my crush.
Her eyes glaze over. “Now there’s a dreamy man. Those cheekbones that could cut glass…those intense green eyes…”
Mind Reader Page 8