AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 18
By the middle of the following week, I found myself with another afternoon off from work and nothing to do. I had promised Sander that we would go to lunch one of these days, but admittedly, I didn’t have the energy to deal with him right now. Anymore, lunch was never just lunch with Sander. It didn’t matter that for me, it was just a day to relax and catch up with a friend. For him, it was always more. I could feel Sander pushing against the figurative walls of the friend zone, trying to maneuver past the barriers into something more, and all I wanted was to hang out with my best friend without all the expectations.
Not to mention the fact that every single time I was around him, he became this interrogative person, trying to uncover every aspect of my life since he and I started drifting apart. I know it makes me sound like a bitch. He could just be making an attempt to reconnect on some level. But the more questions he asked, the harder it was to hide the truth from him, and if Sander knew half of the shit I’m dealing with, he’d want to jump in and take care of me and it would only make shit worse.
I know I threatened Mateo once with telling Sander everything, but I think he and I both knew that I would never tell San a word. If I did, it would jeopardize the lives of a lot of innocent people.
No, it was just safer for everyone around me if I stayed isolated. The last thing I need is for Mateo and his crew to start shit. If he did, it would go one of two ways. Either my family and I would pay for my actions with our lives, or Sander would arrest Mateo and his guys for the threats, and then I would have bigger problems. Namely, the Las Moreto Cartel. I don’t think Santiago would take too kindly to the part I would play in Mateo’s arrest. Not to mention his three sons. I’ve heard stories about those three that would keep you up for weeks.
I take a breath in a poor attempt to calm my nerves. Spiraling helps no one, and now I’m far too anxious to even consider lunch with Sander. It will have to keep until another day.
That still leaves me with nothing to do today, and I need to find something or I’m going to implode. Typically, I’d lose myself under the hood of the Camaro, or just go for a drive with the windows down and the wind in my hair, but I don’t want to be seen around town in Bodhi’s car. That would only cause more questions, so since neither of those is currently an option, I’m at a loss.
Unless…
I go in search of the card Bodhi’s assistant left with me the day I went to the track. When I finally locate it in the pocket of a pair of jeans, I stare down at the seven-digit number, pursing my lips in consideration.
I’ve been thinking about his offer to race him for the past few days, and while I didn’t appreciate his insinuation, the thought of being able to race and just drive without the worry of being pulled over for speeding was all too tempting.
So, I find myself dialing the number and holding my breath.
“Bodhi Kane’s office, this is Rick speaking.”
I blow out the breath I was holding before answering.
“Hi, Rick. This is Ms. King. We met a couple of weeks ago,” I say cheerily.
“Ms. King, how may I help you today?”
“I was actually hoping to speak with Mr. Kane about my vehicle if he happens to be available,” I reply, thinking that coming out and admitting the real reason I was calling might not be for the best.
“I’m sorry Ms. King, Mr. Kane isn’t in today, but I can let him know you called.” Rick says.
“Thank you, that would be great.”
“Not a problem at all. You have a good day, Ms. King.”
“Thank you, you as well.”
With that, I hang up the phone.
That didn’t go according to plan.
I bite the inside of my cheek while trying to come up with a plan, mindlessly drumming my fingers across the tabletop.
Rick said he wasn’t in the office, which I assume means the track. He could literally be anywhere, but after some deliberation, I snatch up the keys to the Subaru and decide to pay a visit to his house.
If he’s not there, then I will just swing by Rush’s on the way home and check in with Milo on where he’s at with the Camaro.
Thankfully, I love to drive, and once I get on the highway, it’s a straight shot to Bodhi’s. Before I know it, I’m pulling up to the same gate as the other night. The code to get in is easy enough to remember, considering it’s his last name. That’s not the smartest idea on his part, and he should look into changing that.
The place looks completely different in the daytime, and I stop for a moment to appreciate the beauty that the property holds.
He probably has people who take care of that for him.
I make my way up the walkway to his front door and ring the bell.
My palms immediately start to sweat, and I wipe them against my pant legs in an attempt to dry them. In no time, I hear footsteps approaching the front door and my heart begins to hammer in my chest.
