by Jax Hart
He waved us away with a grin as he was filling out adoption paperwork for a kitten. “Something smells good!” Daisy yipped happily as I led her to a café where the smells of baking bread and percolating coffee was too much to resist. I ordered a medium roast coffee heavy on the cream and sugar with a buttered bagel, sharing it with my new friend as we walked along the beach. Joggers were out, some people were doing yoga as they watched the waves. Everyone was friendly, summer was almost here. I could taste it. Even the early morning rays from the sun felt summerish with its warmth stretching out across the sky.
Daisy wagged her tail, sniffed shells, barked at the birds. My heart warmed. I felt sad when I had to walk her back to her crate after a taste of freedom. “Don’t worry, I’ll be back.”
After gathering my things, I decided not to drive to the docks where Dr. Winnfield was. I chose to ride the bike I had brought to college but rarely used. My thighs burned after a few miles, but it felt good to be outside.
“Ryan! Glad to see you sorted everything out timely. You’ll be in the lab today dissecting. A deceased Humpback washed up north of Rodanthe. There’s evidence of shark bites but we are taking tissue samples from every organ before determining cause of death.” I nodded as she led me into a locker room, showing me where the lab coats, gloves and eyewear were.
In no time, I forgot everything. Wade. Hot-shot guy. Daisy’s sad eyes. I lost myself in science and needing to find the evidence of just what happened to an apparent young, healthy whale.
Sixteen
End of May…
I turned my head to the side, feeling the crack of bones in my neck. I repeated the motion, feeling the other side crack. The email from the clerk at the small claims court hit my inbox ten minutes ago. A court date was still pending. I scanned the customary documents, unimpressed until I opened the character witness list. Bunny Dempsey was at the top of the list. My best woman—my PA was testifying in a case against me for the plaintiff? Was Bunny a narc? An undercover granny planted by Diersky and helping Ryan Hill? Nah. This wasn’t a Sherlock Holmes episode. Listed under her name was the associated relationship with the plaintiff: grandmother.
“Well, well. The plot thickens.” I smirked, looking forward to going another round with Ms. Hill. “Now I know where she gets it from. She’s a firecracker just like her granny.”
I was still listed as C.C. since the rental was set up in an LLC, not my legal name. Chances were Bunny and Ms. Hill had no clue their nemesis is me. A soft tap at my door had me looking up. It was Bunny. I clicked out of my email, straightened my tie, and asked her to come in.
She was nervous, timid. So, unlike my Bun-bun. “Can I help you with something?”
“You okay honey bun?”
She shook her head. “It’s my granddaughter. I was hoping you could give me some legal advice.”
I perked up. “I’ll do my best. I’m a hedge fund attorney though. Not much for criminal mischief,” I winked.
“It’s nothing like that. Just a business matter. She filed against a landlord in small claims for her deposit money back. He blacklisted her from being able to rent on a housing app. It’s a real mess.”
“Did she deserve having her money frozen?”
“I-I don’t know. My girl is a straight A student, always has been. She’s very responsible. Even volunteers at an animal shelter—is always helping others… I find it hard to believe the things this man is accusing her of.”
I hid my “bullshit,” behind a cough, images of gummy bear dicks and pink panties flashed in my head. Poor Bunny was suckered. Deceived by Ryan Hill just like I was. I felt sorry for her, thinking her granddaughter was some sort of do-gooder.
“Do you have any advice? Apparently, this man is ruthless, wanting to make an example out of her.”
I sure did.
She handed me a neat stack of papers. I barely glanced at them, already knowing what they said. It was a summary of the case she filed in small claims. I knew it by heart. Line by line. That’s what a good lawyer does. Memorizes his opponent’s advance so they can counterattack. “I’ll take a look over the weekend.”
She smiled her thanks. Guilt made my cheeks flush with red. “Any weekend plans?”
“Just my bridge game tonight.”
I smiled. “What did you make?”
“It’s a Polynesian theme. I have ribs in the slow cooker. An upside-down pineapple cake and I’m going to pair it with Spanish rum coladas.”
“What time?”
It was a running joke between us that I always invited myself but never showed.
I left the office right at five. Took a fast shower, shaved, put on my favorite pair of dark jeans, pairing it with a skintight white Henley. My expensive watch at my wrist, I looked like a model. But not one of those woke, pussy ones afraid to be a man. I was jacked, dressed, and looked every inch a boardroom billionaire. I picked up my keys, wallet, and cell then made the short drive to Hunter’s penthouse. If I was a trust fund baby—he was times three. I pulled over to the curb, texting him to come down. I didn’t feel like going up.
He opened the passenger door ten minutes later. I lifted a brow. “Primp much?” He wore dark jeans like me, but instead of a thin T-Shirt, he wore a baby pink Vineyard Vines shirt with the sleeves rolled and his neck open.
“The ladies love pink. Especially on a muscular bad ass like myself.” Instead of turning left at the intersection toward the strip of bars and restaurants, I pressed the gas then changed lanes, entering the merge for the expressway.
“Dude? You kidnapping me? The bars and ladies are back that way.”
“We’re making a pit stop first.”
“Oh yeah? Where?”
“My P.A.’s house.”
“The hot one who sexted you?” He grinned.
“She’s a firecracker all right. You’ll like her.”
“Ah, how sweet of you to try to set me up like this. But I already found the woman of my dreams, but she has a real pain in the ass brother. It’s a deal breaker for me.”
“Good.” I took the next exit, shortly after pulling down the drive of a fifty-five plus community built around a man-made lake and golf course. I told the security guard my name.
“You’re not on the list.”
“I’m Bunny’s new bridge partner. She’ll kill me if I’m late. You know how she is…” I flashed a smile.
“That shit doesn’t work on me. I’m a senior. I know a stunt when I see one.”
Grinning, I called Bun-Bun by pressing a button on my steering wheel, turning up the volume so the guard could hear her through my car speakers.
“Bun-bun. I’m here. But the security guard won’t let me in. I’m hurt. You did invite me…?”
“Don’t mess with an old lady, Carmichael. You always go out Tomcatting with that friend of yours on Friday nights. I read all about Mr. July sightings in the local gossip rags the next day.”
Hunter cleared his throat. “Tomcatting? Well, I beg your pardon.” He laid on his southern accent extra thick.
Bunny gasped. “Let them in!”
The car’s engine purred as we rolled through the gates, rounded the curve, and pulled up to a neat two-story home. Five cars were already parked out front. I reached for the bottle of wine, leis, and grass skirts I had put in the back seat.
“It’s Polynesian night. It wouldn’t be polite to crash empty handed,” I informed Hunter as he looked at my offerings.
Bunny met us at the door, the color in her cheeks not from makeup. “Good Lord, the two of you are going to trip Betty’s pacemaker.”
I grinned. “Hunter here knows CPR.” She ushered us in, Hunter took the lead, laying on his charm, complimenting her home. He even tucked her hand into his arm, escorting her to her own party.
She led us to a sunroom in the back. An oversized fan hung from the center of the dormered ceiling, a table was set to the side buffet style, decorated with orchids. I presented Bunny with my gifts. Her eyes glowed with pleasure
as introductions were made. Hunter and I had arrived just in time for dinner. The ladies insisted on serving us and wouldn’t hear otherwise. Bunny came around with her first pitcher of pineapple rum coladas. Hunter declared they were so good he wanted the whole pitcher. When she made him one, he accused her of trying to “peer pressure” him into staying for the card game.
She replied after we had shown up, they decided to scratch bridge for strip poker. We all had hearty laughs. I was having such a good time—I had almost forgot this was a recon mission.
“We’re out of ice.”
“Here, let me.” I took the bucket from Barbara’s hands and went to find Bunny’s kitchen. My feet slowed as I approached the fridge. I placed the bucket on the counter, lifting a hand to the picture smack in the top center of the door. A Duke magnet held it firm.
She was… something else.
A golden goddess. It seemed as if the sun shone right through her or maybe her wholesomeness radiated the light. As if it shined from her, not the sun. Surely this couldn’t be Ryan. Maybe this was a niece or a different granddaughter. My finger traced the curve of her cheek. I wanted to feel like she did in this photo. Even if it was only for a second. She was carefree. Smiling from her soul. Small freckles dotted her sun-kissed skin. Her lips had a natural pout. She was lean, but with muscles not from denying herself meals. There wasn’t anything fake about her. I was tempted to pluck the photo and stuff it into my back pocket. I snapped a picture of it instead. I could now stare at Ms. Ryan Hill whenever I wanted, and she—none the wiser. Smirking, I opened the freezer to fill the ice bucket.
“Chase? You get lost?” Bunny scurried in.
“No ma’am. I’m almost done.”
She gently touched my forearm. “Thank you for surprising us tonight. You’ve given them so much more than a card game ever could. Betty lost her husband a few months back. I haven’t seen her smile or laugh in ages. And Claire’s cancer just came back. Hunter flirting with her has taken her mind off things.”
“Well, maybe I’ll make this a weekly thing before Hunter and I go out… tomcatting. By the way, nice calendar.” I winked.
“I needed something to write all my doctor appointments on.” She rattled off from behind me.
“That makes perfect sense.”
Hunter and I ended up staying past ten. As we played cards, the ladies entertained us with stories of days gone by. The men they loved and lost. Everyone’s story was different, unique in its own way as lives always are. Betty told us of a fling she had at Woodstock when she was seventeen. She had actually been there. Claire told of a soldier she loved who was lost in Vietnam, but she kept his letters still. Bunny opened up about her late husband, saying she just knew from the start he was her destiny. Then they started talking about kids and grandkids giving me the perfect opportunity. “How many do you have Bun?”
“Two children, two grandsons and one granddaughter. I like her the best, but I’ll never admit it to a soul outside this room.”
“What about you two? Any women claim a piece of your heart?”
“I never kiss and tell,” Hunter replied smoothly. I shot him a hard look, letting him know I haven’t forgotten about his lips on Char’s.
“Well, there is someone,” I teased. “But she says I’m too young for her.”
“Oh you,” Bunny swatted my arm.
“I had a nice time. Thank you very much.” I helped Bunny clean up. After a round of goodbyes, the ladies walked us out,
“Where to?” I asked Hunter, figuring he’d say Roxy the club on Cicada and 8th.
“Home. I’m beat. I have a date with the gym in the morning. It’s almost June. I need to be in my best beach shape for the shore.”
“I’ll join you.”
“I enjoyed myself tonight. More than I have in a longtime. I know you think I’m just your dickhead, clown best friend… with a better body and more money—but tonight made me wish for things. A life like those ladies had. Full of joys and sorrows but in the middle packed with love. Family. Kids. A home. My ex just wasn’t the one. We missed that thing… that spark that turns into the flame of a lifetime.”
I raked a hand through my hair. “I’ve felt that for the past year or so. I buried myself into work, then the shore house. With those two things eating my time, I didn’t have any nights like this one, staring me in the face that time is going by.”
“This summer, bro. Let’s make a pact, right here, right now. We’ll lockdown our dream ladies by fall. For real. No more ‘tomcatting’ around.”
“Delete your dating apps,” I challenged.
He took out his phone, swiped then tapped a few times. “Done.”
I lifted my shoulders. “I deleted mine a few weeks ago. My last hookup made me feel…empty the next day.”
“Seven a.m. gym then juice.” He tapped the roof of my car as I pulled out. I hated the stupid green organic juices he made me chug after our monster workouts. But after eating three helpings of Bunny’s pineapple soy BBQ ribs, my abs would need the detox.
After I got home, I took a shower, relaxing in my lounge pants. Phone in hand, I got into bed and stared at my pirated picture.
I hadn’t heard from her since I received official notice from the small claims court. The lawyer in me knew it was wise to not communicate further. I missed our bickering. Now that I had a face to match her words. My blood heated in an entirely different way. I itched to get under Bunny’s little do-gooder’s skin. I couldn’t help myself. The court just granted her a date of July 10. It was the perfect excuse to make contact. I opened up my app…. Screw it if she uses it for court. We’re never going to get there. I’ll settle an hour beforehand, giving her back her entire deposit if the app unfreezes my rental listing.
This was for me now. I’m playing chess, owning the board and when it’s time I’ll take the queen. I did warn her she had no idea who she was messing with. Somehow, sparring with her became more intriguing then clubbing with Hunter or reviewing contracts. I missed the banter, the way she got under my skin, making me hot under the collar. My life had become… safe. Vanilla. I couldn’t help myself.
From: homeowner1278
To: [email protected]
SUBJECT: GAME ON
I am most definitely an attorney. I’d send you my license number, but you’d probably stalk me, and I already have enough women doing that. You’d lose your mind over how good looking and successful I am. And since I know you have a sex fetish or candy penis fetish, my picture would definitely send you off the edge. And since this is fact, as stared by the evidence I gathered in my home which was witnessed by my housekeeper and documented with pictures, my using this language in an email to you cannot be construed as sexually harassing.
P.S.
Candy dick fetish. There I said it again. Just because I can.
Seventeen
Mid-June
I quickly swept the balls of dog and cat hair that had collected in corners on my floor. I straightened the pillows on the couch that came with the rental. A soft breeze blew in, bringing the fresh smell of ocean. The summer crowd slowly trickled in during May but now in mid-June they were here to stay until fall. Gran took the day off to drive down and visit me at the shore. I hadn’t seen her since Christmas. I was nervous, hoping seeing Pop’s boat floating gracefully at the dock wouldn’t be too much for her.
My cell dinged with a new email. My brow furrowed as I read it. It was from the small claims court, the date was set for July 10th. Truthfully, I had pushed Mr. Hot-shot Homeowner to the back of my mind. My days have been so full. So full of days on the ocean, analyzing data, writing reports, and making hypothesis. After a five-mile bike ride back to my apartment, instead of showering right away, I often took out the dogs from their crates for long walks. I didn’t have to, I wanted to.
Sometimes, I’d paddleboard in the quiet of dawn before I bike to the research facility. In the early evening, as the sun turned the sky shades of pink, I took Pop’s boat out on the bay,
drop anchor, and just bask in the glory of it all—my new life that I never dreamed possible on Christmas Day. I made my own Christmas wish come true. I had the power within me the whole time. It was a lesson I’ll never forget. My skin was golden. Freckles were emerging. My hair was getting bleached by the sun. I didn’t care. Muscles appeared that I never had before. I was living and breathing the ocean life and loving every second of it. I was coming into my own in ways I never had before.
“Ryan? You up there?”
“Gran!” I flung the screen door open, waving her up. My heart squeezed in my chest as we hugged. She smelled like gardenias and talcum powder, just as she always had. Gran was home. Her love was the one constant all my life.
“Look at you! I hardly recognized my darling granddaughter! So fit… so healthy!” Her eyes shone as she took in my bare feet, tan, and longer hair that the sun had turned a lighter color.
I grinned. “The ocean works miracles. I feel like a different person on the inside, too.”
“I’ve never been prouder. You took control over your life. Captained your own ship.”
“Well, I did have the best cheerleader in my corner. You look different too.” There was a sparkle in Gran’s eye. Color in her face that I hadn’t seen since before Pops got sick.
She waved her hand. “My job keeps me fit as a fiddle.”
I remembered that husky voice I had overheard that one time. “Your boss treats you well?
“He’s a devil that one. But we’ll talk about him later. Show me around.”
“There’s not much to see.”
“You have a lovely view.” I made a grand gesture to the galley kitchen where instead of a wall there was a half-one with stools.
“Nice calendar.”
My face heated as she spied it.
“Oh, it was here from the previous tenant.”
“It’s not July yet dear, it’s almost the end of June.”
“But July was so much better,” I half came clean.