He stopped chewing. "Okay? Just like that?"
I nodded. "Yeah, just like that. "
He finished chewing his bite of pizza and swallowed. "Why do you always surprise me? All the damn time? Youd think I would be used to it by now. "
I took another bite of my pizza and shrugged. I hadnt realized I was going to be so easygoing about it either. I wasnt going to stay there permanently, of course, but I could work there awhile and save up some money. Then I would hit the road again.
"There is one thing I want to do first," I told him.
"What?"
"Go through Georgia and see my best friend, Braden, and her husband, Kent. I havent seen them in a while and Id like to stay at their house for a couple of days. "
Tripp nodded. "Sounds good. I can get a place at a hotel in town and you can stay with them. "
"They would be happy for you to stay with them, too," I assured him.
Tripp smirked. "Yeah, well, that sounds nice but honestly, I could really use a couple of nights to have some . . . beer. "
The small bubble of laughter was fast and unexpected. Tripps smirk turned into a pleased grin, and I laughed for the first time since Id left Rosemary.
Later that night, I had just started to fall asleep when I heard Tripp get up and walk to the bathroom. I thought he was going to take a shower but I heard him talking to someone. Who would he be calling after midnight? Then I heard my name.
I eased out of bed quietly and tiptoed close enough so I could hear what he was saying.
"She wants to stop by her friends house in Georgia first. . . . Yeah. . . . I said yes. Damn. . . . Near Myrtle Beach. Its safe. I swear. . . . Probably need some more, yeah. . . . Ill call you. . . . I said I would call you. Go to sleep. "
I hurried back over to the bed and crawled back in. Who had he been talking too? Was there a girl back where he lived? Had he left someone behind to come help me? No. That couldnt be it. He slept with too many women. Maybe it was just a friend.
"Della?" Tripps voice surprised me and I almost responded. Then I realized he was checking to make sure I was asleep. I didnt say anything.
It must have been a friend of his wondering when hed be home. But the "safe" comment---that was weird. I closed my eyes and decided to let the exhaustion take me. I would think about this tomorrow.
Page 21
Woods
I stared down at the list of appointments that Vince had put on my desk that morning. I had been putting off so much shit because I couldnt focus in the last two weeks, and now I was behind. Tomorrow my lawyer would be sending out the letters to the former board members letting them know that they were no longer needed. I expected the shit to hit the fan but I was letting my lawyer deal with the blows. I wasnt in the mood for it.
"Mr. Finlay here to see you, sir," Vinces voice said over the intercom.
"Send him in," I replied. I had called Rushs father, Dean Finlay, before Della had left. I figured if I put someone on the board who was a celebrity, then it would help with the members and the town when they heard of the new board. Besides, Dean had put a lot of money into the Kerrington Club and my father had never approved of him. Hed acknowledged him because he wasnt a complete fool but he hadnt liked him.
"I gotta say, Woods, you look pretty goddamn good sitting in that seat," Dean drawled as he sauntered into the room. He reeked of rock star, from his long hair to his tattoo-covered body and many piercings. He even had on eyeliner. The man was a legend and I had grown up with him as the father of one of my friends.
"Thanks, Dean," I said, standing up and reaching across the desk to shake his hand.
"You got me for about thirty minutes. Then Im gonna have to get back to that grandson of mine. I had to leave him all giggly and playful and thats pretty fucking hard to do. The kids adorable. "
"Yes, sir. I will make this quick," I assured him, and motioned for him to sit down.
Dean sat down in the leather wingback chair and propped his feet up on the edge of my desk. "Whats up?"
"Im letting my fathers board members go. They were close confidants of my father; however, I dont feel the same way about them. I have no need for a board that I cant share my ideas with and whose opinions I cant trust. Im replacing the board with people I want to have input into the future of the Kerrington Club. "
Dean held up a hand to stop me, then he cocked one dark eyebrow. "Are you saying you fired all their uppity asses?"
I nodded.
Dean threw his head back and cackled with laughter. "Damn, thats the funniest shit Ive heard in a while. "
If I could have managed a smile these days I would have smiled then. "I want you on my board, sir. Rush will also be asked, of course. "
Dean dropped his feet to the floor and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and studied me a moment. "You want me on your board?"
"Yes, I do. My group of friends are all young. We need wisdom on the board and youre the only man I know that I would want advising me. "
A slow smile spread across Deans face. "Ill be damned. "
Probably, but I wasnt going to agree with him. I just waited.
"Hell yeah, Ill be on your board. My grandson is going to grow up in this town and the Kerrington Club and the members here will be a big part of his life. I want to make sure he has the best. "
I had hoped he would feel that way. "Thank you, sir. I appreciate it. Im honored that you will be a part of the future of the club. "
"Me too," he said, leaning back in his chair. "But, Woods, if were gonna do this, then should you stop calling me sir. Makes me sound old. I bang chicks younger than you, son. "
I might not have been able to smile but I was amused. "Im sure you do," I replied.
"That was pretty damn funny. Whats wrong with you, boy? I cant seem to get you to crack a smile. "
I didnt want to talk about Della with Dean. He wouldnt understand. Like he said, he was with a different girl every night. "Personal stuff. Im working through it. "
Dean rubbed his chin, then tilted his head as he looked at me too closely. "Its a woman. That look is always caused by a fucking woman. Dont bother denying it. I can see it all over your face. "
I didnt admit it but I didnt deny it. Instead, I dropped my eyes to the table and shifted through some paperwork. I had a contract Dean needed to sign and we needed to discuss his monthly salary, not that he needed it.
"Who is she? What did she do? She getting under your skin and youre ready to run, or has she already got you on her hook and shes trying to let you go?"
I pulled out the contract and took my pen and pushed them across the table. "Neither. I need you to sign the contract saying everything we discuss about the club is confidential. Your salary is listed as well. "
Dean didnt lean forward and take the paper. He was still focused on me. He started to shake his head and let out a low whistle. "Woods motherfucking Kerrington is in love. Damn, its in the water down here. I need to get my ass back to LA. You young boys going manic over one pretty little girl. Theres lots of fish. Lots of fucking beautiful fish. Why worry about one when you can have em all? Brunette on Monday and a redhead on Tuesday, twins on Wednesday, a blonde with big ole titties on Thursday, an Asian beauty on Friday, and her siste
r on Saturday, then on Sunday is when you get you one of each and have one big-ass party all damn day. No need to get wrapped up in just one. "
This was very similar to a speech hed given us one summer when Rush had taken us on a road trip to see Slacker Demon in Atlanta. We had, of course, been granted backstage access and hung out with the band. It was Deans life. I had thought it was a lonely life back then. Now that Id had Della, I knew it was a lonely life. I wasnt interested.
"Just want the one," I told him.
"She must be special," he said, and leaned forward to pick up the pen. "Im not signing my life away or adding you to my will, am I?" he asked.
"No, just agreeing to keep the clubs business confidential. "
"I dont need the money. Put it in a trust fund for Nate. Have Rush set it up. "
Id expected as much. "Yes, sir"---his head snapped up---"I mean, Dean," I said, correcting myself.
He nodded. "Better. " Then he stood up and slapped his hand down on the desk. "Looks good on you, boy. Looks real good on you," he said, then turned and walked out of the office.
I had Dean. Now I needed to make my next call.
Page 22
Della
Braden threw open the door and wrapped her arms around me in one swift movement. I dropped the bag I was carrying and hugged her back just as fiercely.
"Youre here! I missed you," Braden said as she squeezed me one more time, then pulled back and glanced over at Tripp. I didnt miss the appreciative gleam in Tripps eyes as he took in my best friend. Braden had big, round, cornflower-blue eyes and long, dark curly lashes. Her brown curls were completely natural. I had been coveting them for years.
"Braden, this is my friend Tripp. Tripp, this is my best friend, Braden Fredrick. "
"And Im her husband, Kent," Kent said as he walked up behind Braden. I smiled over at him. I felt like I should apologize for Tripp and I was suddenly glad he was going to stay in a hotel. Braden loved her husband but when Tripp wanted to be a charmer he had it down to a science.
"Its nice to meet both of you," Tripp said with a knowing smile. I should probably have pinched him.
"Yall come on in," Braden said, stepping back.
"I have plans this evening so I need to head on out. Ill be back when youre ready to leave, Della," he said, and winked at me. He was being cute on purpose.