Chapter Twenty-Four:
Life Alert
Ollie
The house was finally ready for me to move back into, which my wallet and back were both thankful for. It was also nice to know I had a legitimate place to take Mia to again instead of just a lonely hotel room, but that absolute queen of a woman never complained once. Not like I had, anyway.
I got my things settled and looked around just to make sure everything seemed in order, then booked myself a flight back to Brisley. I’d already said goodbye to Mia and Little Hombre, so there was nothing left to do but head back home to talk to Sterling face-to-face. I wanted to see my father anyway, but Sterling had been elusive lately. I bribed Zeppelin into getting me an afternoon alone with him and then made the arrangements.
Flying commercial only served to remind me that I no longer had a jet of my own, but I found it didn’t bother me as much as it once did. I was a people-person, so talking to the security agents, the flight attendants, and the other passengers was way more fun than flying alone, no matter how cool the pilots I hired were – and I didn’t have to wait around and hope one of them were available.
Still, I was tired and a little cranky when I got off that plane and flopped into Zeppelin’s backseat. “Help. I’ve fallen and I can’t get up,” I mumbled.
“Sir, this is an Uber. You meant to call Life Alert.” I saw Zeppelin roll her eyes in the mirror with a grin as she started driving. “You could have sat up here, ya doof.”
“Can’t sit in the front seat of an Uber, Led. Make up your mind.” I sighed and sat up, rubbing my eyes with my palms. “I’m tired of flying. Can you guys move to Domingo for a little bit?“
“First of all, you can absolutely sit in the front seat of an Uber,” she laughed. “And secondly, fuck no. It’s hot out there, right?”
I wrinkled my nose. “Why would Uber drivers let weird people sit next to them? Fuck it, um ... yeah, y’know. It’s warm. But think of how many ways you’d have to drive my brother up a wall.”
She seemed intrigued by that. “You know that’s my favorite pastime. How are you doing out there? House is good, right?”
“Finally, yeah. I’m almost ready to put it on the market. Just have to fix the paint in a few spots and update the furniture and I’m good to go. I could have it done in a weekend, honestly. How are things here? Still love your job?”
“You could have it done in a weekend ... but you won’t.” She eyed me in the mirror for so long the car swerved and someone honked at her, making her release a string of cuss words that a pirate would blush at. “You’re gonna get us killed, Ollie. Just tell me how things are with Mia.”
I tugged my earlobe thinking maybe I missed her answering my question. “They’re fantastic. I can’t get enough of her. Literally. She’s busy as hell, which I admire and respect, but my heart hates it.”
Her smile was ridiculous. “So excited for you. Okay, I’ll answer now. Yes, I absolutely love my job. I get to see Charlie four days a week at work and on weekends when Sterling goes. He stops by sometimes when I’m working too and they play chess and stuff. Everything is good here, Ol. Promise.”
I relaxed even though I’d had no reason to be tense. I’d known things were good. “I’m happy for you too, then. Maybe when I’m done with your husband tonight we’ll grab your weird neighbor and you and I can beat their asses in Charades.”
“Hell yeah we will. Jake’s dating someone now, y’know. Never thought I’d see the day but she lives far away so she isn’t over often. She’s nice though. Did you ask Mia if you could show me a photo of her son?”
“Oh, yeah. I asked before I left, actually. She gave me the go-ahead but I point-blank refuse to show you until we’re at your house. He’s so fucking cute that if you don’t wreck, I’m gonna have questions.”
“We already almost died once. Good fucking call.”
I chuckled as I reached up to ruffle her hair. “Yeah, even I have those every once in a while.”
~
Sterling slid a drinkover to me and sat down on the side of the white pieces, like he always did. “Been a while,” he commented.
“I know. But you’ve been dodging my calls, so what’s a guy to do?” I nudged a pawn forward a couple of spaces, knowing damned well I was too exhausted to beat him. I could barely beat him on a good day. “I had to fly all the way up here just to talk to you.”
“You say that like you don’t live here,” he countered without taking his eyes off the board. “In Brisley, I mean. You do remember you still live in Brisley, right?”
I watched him move his piece then quickly took my turn. “Yeah, I know. But I’m dealing with shit down in Domingo, and honestly ... right now, I’d rather be there anyway. I really care about her, Sterling.”
He still didn’t look up. “Mhm, and for how long? We all know your policy, Ollie. You don’t allow yourself to fall for women like that, and with good fucking reason. Your track record would be laughable if it wasn’t so damn heartbreaking.”
“Well,” I started, bracing myself and refusing to take my turn when it was up. “I was a dickhead, Sterling. And it’s too late anyway. I’m not falling for anyone ... I’m already in love.”
I might’ve joked about being in love from time to time or exaggerated how I felt about someone on occasion, but that was just who I was. I always fell hard when I fell at all, but most of the time, I’d known it wasn’t real. This time however, even my grump-ass brother could hear it in my voice.
“You’re serious?”