Chapter 16
Chloe
TANK’S EXCUSE FOR the costume was that he’d received the wrong ones. He apologized for the mix up and wasting my time.
“You’re not the only one who contacted me. I don’t know what happened, but I’ll make sure you get the correct costume tomorrow. In fact, why don’t I have one of my Prospects pick you up around two o’clock?”
“Sure.”
As in Graham?
I wanted to ask for him specifically, but was too chicken.
“Great. I’ll have him bring the costume over and drive you downtown, where you’ll be helping to pass out the fliers.”
I imagined Graham dressed like an elf and it put a smile on my face. “Sounds great.”
“It should be a lot of fun. In fact, a friend of mine, who works at the zoo, was able to borrow us a couple of caribou to use.”
“Oh, cool.”
“There will be hot cocoa, cider, and Christmas carolers too.”
“I’m looking forward to it. So, who did you say was going to be picking me up?”
“I was thinking of sending Graham back. Did he behave himself?” Tank asked, a smile in his voice.
Score.
“Oh, yeah. For sure,” I replied.
“Good. Anyway, like I said… we’ll send someone over, possibly Graham, around two tomorrow.”
“Sounds good.”
“Remember to call me if something come up.”
“Will do.”
After hanging up with Tank, I turned on some Christmas music and went back to trimming the tree. As I hung up the decorations, I thought about Tank asking if Graham had behaved himself, and was a little disappointed that he had.
AFTER HANGING UP with Chloe, Tank smiled at Raptor, who was sitting across from him in the office.
“What did she say?”
“He was a good boy. Behaved himself.”
“Bummer.”
“He must not be related to you after all,” Tank said, laughing.
“I’m a good boy.” Raptor threw a pen at him and Tank ducked.
“You weren’t when you were chasing Adriana all over town. If I remember correctly, you couldn’t keep your hands off of her and she was barely legal.”
“She’d just turned twenty-one. She was as legal as fuck.”
“You mean she was legal to fuck.”
Raptor chuckled. “At least I made an honest woman out of her.”
Tank smirked. “That’s ‘cause you knocked her up.”
“Fuck you. You know better.”
“I know, brother. I’m just giving you shit. You were hooked the moment you saw her. I remember the night you two met. It actually was her birthday, if I recall?”
“Yep.”
“Time sure flies,” Tank said, staring ahead with a fond smile on his face. “That was also the year Frannie and Pops got married.”
“That’s right.”
“I miss that son-of-a-bitch,” Tank said sadly.
Raptor nodded. “Me, too.”
They both sat there in silence for a few minutes and then Raptor cleared his throat. “You know, maybe Dodger’s not interested in Chloe?”
“He’s interested. Last year at the fundraiser, he not only kissed her but after we got him hammered, he asked us to get her number, so he could hook up with her. You went home with Adriana, so you didn’t see.”
“Obviously, he didn’t call her.”
“No. Dodger was trashed. We couldn’t let him make a fool out of himself. Hell, he doesn’t remember anything about it.”
“All he remembers is how that bitch Bonnie hurt him,” Raptor said, frowning.
Tank shrugged. “Oh, I don’t know. He seems to have put everything behind him.”
“Adriana thinks otherwise. She’s good at judging people. You know, we’ve had Dodger over every Sunday, since football season started. He usually stays for dinner and has been opening up more-and-more. He doesn’t say much about Bonnie, but Adriana says she can tell he’s not happy.”
“We want him happy.”
“Exactly.”
They both sat there quietly, thinking. After a while, Tank spoke again. “Jessica raves about Chloe. I really think they could be good together.”
“If there’s still a connection.”
“Unless she’s gained five-hundred pounds and has grown a tail, I’m thinking they’ve got a shot.”
Raptor smiled humorlessly and rubbed his forehead. “I can’t believe we’re even talking about this. We’re guys. We should be encouraging him to sow his wild oats.”
“He’s been doing that and apparently is still unhappy.”
Raptor nodded. “So, what’s your plan?”
Tank told him.