Chapter Thirteen
Oliver
I’m sitting in my library feverishly plotting out a revenge sequence that may involve poisoned wine. Thank you, Ally, for the idea. I have several law books open and true crime podcast notes strewn across my desk. I hear ringing in the distance, and it brings me out of my thoughts. I drop my pen when I realize it’s my phone and I have no idea where it is buried. I shuffle some papers and when I find it, I see that it’s Ty.
“Tell me you have good news,” I say immediately.
“The apartment is all mine. I got a great deal because they had just moved the mother out and wanted to be done so they could put the money aside for her nursing home care.” I jump up from my chair and pump my fist in excitement. “Now, here’s the part that you might not like as much.” My excitement quickly fades, and I sit back into my chair and throw my head back.
“Let me hear it,” I say with a sigh.
“While I’m finishing up here, I was hoping you could take the lead on getting my place set up so I can hit the ground running when I get there.”
I hang my head in defeat because I know he knows I won’t say no to him. Little Assistant to the rescue like always. I don’t know how many things he’s roped me into over the years. I just went along with his schemes and crazy ideas. He knows he can always count on me because I’ve never told my big brother no.
“You know I’ll do it.”
“I knew I could count on you. The moving company is coming to get the equipment tomorrow so it should be there next Saturday.”
“Email me all the details. And we’re still not telling Mom?”
“I want to wait until I get there so I can see her face when we tell her.”
“Got it. Did you know she’s adding a shower to the basement bathroom?” I ask.
“She only talks to me about food plans and daughters-in-law,” Ty responds.
“I get home improvements, physical ailments, and daughters-in-law.” I laugh.
“Maybe we can work on finding some women when I get there. We were always good at finding women when we went out together. I don’t seem to have the same luck without you.”
“I might just have to be your wingman.”
“I thought you bowed out with that girl.”
“I may have taken your advice,” I draw out.
“Is that so?” I can hear the smug look on his face.
“I went back to tell her that I wasn’t giving up and that she could date both of us until she figured out I was the best option.”
“That’s my little bro!”
“Watch it.” I warn.
“Seriously though, what did she say?”
“That the other guy wouldn’t be a problem.”
“Why not?” Ty asks.
I start cracking up at the memory and try to explain it to Ty. “The other guy was running out the door with his pants half zipped, no shirt, no shoes. I had a strong indication at that point that I had made the right choice to go back to talk to her.”
“You think he naked-manned her?” Ty is laughing now.
“That would be my guess. She was all flustered when I got there. As she let me in, I noticed she had spilled some red wine and I, being a crime writer, hammed it up and pretended it was blood. Told her she should have rolled him up in the carpet so we could get rid of the body and the blood.”
“Dude, you didn’t. That poor girl. I would have kicked you out immediately.”
“I think she might have wanted to at first but then I told her I was joking and we had a good laugh. I love that she gets my humor. I helped her clean it up, asked her out to dinner, and left after she agreed,” I finish abruptly.
“Hold up. I know that tone…what aren’t you telling me?”
“That was pretty much it.”
“No, it’s not. Spill,” Ty demands. I huff out a sigh.
“We may have almost kissed. I had her in my arms, but she backed away and said she had to finish cleaning up, so I let her go.”
“Dude.”
“I had a hard time walking home.”
“No doubt,” he says.
“But I’m taking her to a nice dinner Tuesday night, so I’m hoping I’ll get a kiss then.”
“Since you’re so suave, you’re going to have to help me next.”
“Follow the Hudson way and I’ll lead you to love,” I jest.
“Oh, wise, Love Guru, I will follow you and your wisdom. Thank you for taking on a lowly meathead,” Ty jokes in a melodramatic tone then quickly changes the subject. “Have you looked her up?”
“Why would I?”
“Bro, you were worried about a stage five clinger and now you’re casually joking about blood? What happened to you?”
“I don’t know, Ty. There’s just something about her. I can’t get her out of my mind. I just want to be near her all the time. It’s like I thrive off her energy. When I got back from the park the other day, I was jotting down notes and my mind was racing with new ideas like I had been shocked and it unleashed all my creativity at one time. I could barely write fast enough.” I’m envisioning her face right now when Ty cuts in with his usual ribbing.
“It’s called a keyboard. It’s this new invention. Makes writing faster.” Ty deadpans.
“Ha. Ha. You know the first notes are always handwritten. It is the way.” Ty laughs at my Mandalorian reference.
“All right, I’ve got to go get everything labeled for the movers, so keep me posted and I’ll send you the info.”
“Sounds good,” I say, disregarding all the work I have to do and thinking about how Tuesday can’t come fast enough.