Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
Grayson
I pull on my T-shirt and put my earbuds in. I make it down to the park in record time. I crank up my music and run the five-mile trail which makes a loop back to the original pathway that starts at the end of Hearts Lane. It’s a movement to my left that draws my attention. I slow down and remove my earbuds.
“Hutch?” I ask as I look at my friend and neighbor in full camo sitting in some bushes.
“Hey,” he says, keeping his eyes focused on something in front of him.
I follow his gaze. The bench. No flowers yet, but it’s very early, just before sunrise.
“Dude, how long have you been out here?”
“Six hours,” he grunts as he chews on gum.
“Six hours! That’s crazy.”
He shrugs. “I’m going to figure it out. Someone has to do it. Those flowers do not magically appear.”
I look around us. “Don’t you have, like, work or something?”
“Yeah, in an hour,” he replies, not bothering to look my way.
I study him for a long moment. Has my friend lost his ever-fucking mind? Seriously? I know it’s a fun little mystery, but to have all-night surveillance seems a bit extreme.
“I bet Brayden that I can catch who does it,” he says, not taking his eyes off the bench.
“How much did you bet?” I ask.
“Four hundred.”
My eyes widen. “You bet four hundred dollars?”
“Did I stutter?” he asks.
“OK, well, best of luck,” I add as I go to head back to the apartment building.
My phone buzzes and I see a text from Margie in the group chat.
Margie: Some sketchy-looking young man is breaking into Kasen’s apartment. Should I call the cops?
Before I can respond, I see Hutch looking at his phone and typing. A moment later, a message pops up.
Hutch: Margie, did he have a key or did he break down the door?
Cornelia: For the love of God. He used a key, Margie.
Margie: But why does he have a key? Maybe he stole it from Kasen’s cousin.
Hutch: So…no break-in?
Me: I’ll come take a look.
Hutch: I’ll come with you.
I look over and Hutch gets up.
“What? Leaving your stakeout?” I pretend to be shocked.
He glares at me. “I’ll just need to find another night to do it.”
“Well, it’s going to rain this week, so good luck.”
“I won’t melt, dude,” he says as we walk back to the building.
Cam is coming out the door as we approach it and she gives Hutch a once-over.
“Uh, do they allow hunting in the park?” she asks with a raised eyebrow.
“No, I was watching for the flowers,” he explains and starts to gesture back to the bench and stops. “You have got to be fucking kidding me.”
We all turn to see flowers on the bench.
I can’t help myself as I start laughing and so does Cam. She doubles over.
“Oh my God! Did you actually sit out there waiting and now they just appeared?” she manages in between fits of giggles.
“Maybe,” he grumbles.
She pats his arm. “It’s OK. You can try another day. Where are you two off to?”
“Margie thinks someone broke into Kasen’s place, but it’s probably just a friend feeding the sea creatures,” Hutch explains.
“Anemones,” Cam states.
“Yeah, whatever,” he replies as he starts to go to the elevator.
“It’s not working today,” Cam calls out while crossing the street to the café.
Hutch groans and we start up the stairs. I take my shirt off after the first two flights and I wipe my face with it.
It’s balmy in here today.
As we round the corner to Kasen’s floor, I run smack-dab into a warm body. It takes me a millisecond to realize that my chest is flush against Roxy’s. We both stare at each other like we’ve just run into a troll or a zombie and then we both quickly jump back.
“S-sorry,” she stammers, looking everywhere but at me. Her eyes dart to my chest and then to my face. I watch the color creep across her cheeks, highlighting all those cute little freckles. Cute? Huh. Not going to unpack that thought.
“It’s cool. Hutch, anything?” I call out as I step around her.
“Nope. Everything seems fine. The door is locked. No signs of forced entry. I’m sure it was just someone checking on those animals,” he says.
“Animals?” Roxy’s voice calls out from behind me.
“Oh, hey, Roxy. Kasen has…what are they called again?” he asks me.
I sigh. “Sea anemones.”
“Interesting,” she mumbles.
The door flies open to Margie and Cornelia’s apartment.
“Was it a break-in?” Margie asks.
I shake my head. “Nope. Probably just checking on the sea anemones.”
Cornelia swats at her friend. “I told you. You’re so paranoid.”
“Well, we’re old ladies. What if that young man wanted to…you know?” she says.
Hutch presses his lips together to keep from laughing. I nudge him in the ribs because Margie is serious.
Roxy steps beside me. “You ladies just call me if you need anything. I’ll be downstairs all day. I’ll keep an eye out front for you.”
“Thank you, dear,” Margie says as she shuts her door. We can hear the two of them continuing to bicker through the metal barrier.
Roxy looks at both of us. “I have questions,” she asks.
“Hutch was trying to catch the flower gifter,” I explain.
She frowns and Hutch shrugs. “I would have been able to if it weren’t for those pesky kids,” he says, pointing to Margie and Cornelia’s apartment.
I start laughing as does Roxy. “Well, Scooby Doo, I do hope you can solve your mystery another day.”
“Oh, I will. Rest assured,” Hutch promises as he walks around us and starts down the stairs.
“What are you doing here?” I ask Roxy, eyeing her suspiciously.
“Al made me another key,” she explains as she holds up a single metal key.
Then she leans in toward me. “Or maybe, I was breaking into apartments,” she teases with a wink and spins on her heel heading downstairs.
I take a deep breath and shake my head. What a strange start to my day. I hope the party later will be full of fewer surprises.
* * *
“Good to see you,” Pierce says. An attractive woman with dark hair and dark eyes accompanies him. I shake his hand.
“This is my wife, Haven,” he adds.
I shake her hand next. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Haven.”
“Likewise,” she replies with a warm smile.
Pierce looks around me. “Where’s your girlfriend?”
I swallow hard. I hate lying. “Uh, she’s coming from work. Should be here soon,” I manage. I am so fucked. Why the hell am I still lying?
“Great. I look forward to meeting her. I love those changes you sent over, by the way,” he says as he reaches for a flute of champagne on a tray held by a passing waiter. He hands it to his wife and I see her hand that’s wrapped through his arm grip him a little tighter.
“Thanks. I appreciate that,” I say.
“We can talk shop later. Enjoy yourself. Wade is around here somewhere, and you met Martin already, right?” he asks, mentioning the director as he walks off toward someone who’s waving at him. Haven gives me a small smile and nods and I return them.
I sit back down and sip my gin. Where is this mystery woman? Al assured me she’d be here promptly at six. I check my watch again. It’s a pricey Rolex my parents gave me for Christmas five years ago, back when we used to talk more often than just big family parties and events. I wouldn’t say I’m estranged from them, but I’m definitely on their shit list.
A movement to my right draws my attention from my drink. My eyes connect with long, shapely legs in high heels, then a red dress that hugs curves that have my dick already perking up, and then a low v-cut neckline that flaunts some gorgeous breasts, and it’s as my gaze continues up to her face that I see it’s…Roxy. Wait a damn minute. There’s no fucking way.
Nope. No. Al would not do me dirty like this. He knows I’m annoyed with Roxy for making so much noise. Why would he think this was a good idea? Fuck my life.
Roxy’s eyes widen as her gaze meets mine. Her step falters for a second about ten steps from me. We both stare at each other for what seems like an eternity.
“Is this your girlfriend?” Pierce’s voice comes from behind me. Roxy’s eyes follow the sound of the voice and then land back on me. She looks pissed. Fuck. This is going to be bad. So bad.