Page 40 of For One Night

Ding. Buzz. Ding. Buzz.

Ding. Buzz. Ding. Buzz.

“You’ve got to be kidding me! Lachlan!” I growl as I rinse the soap from eyes. “Give a man a chance here,” I yell as my phone continues to go off.

I open the door as the screen goes dark and reach for a towel. Ding. Buzz. Ding. Buzz. I glare at the phone, knowing his name is going to light up the screen. Ding. Buzz. Ding. Buzz.

I dry my face off and grab the call. “Are you for real? Can’t a man get a damn shower?”

“What? Were you in the shower?” He chuckles.

Hitting the speaker, I lay the phone on the counter and flip it off. “What do you want?”

“First, are you giving me the finger?”

I grin. “Never.”

“Asshole,” he grumbles. “Heads up, I need you there today and on time.”

“Yes, sir.” I give him the one-fingered salute again.

“Stop flipping me off, dipshit.” I look around, checking to see if there’s a camera. “No, I’m not watching you.”

“You’re creepy, man,” I mutter. “I won’t be late.”

“Did you go out with Letti the other night?” His voice lowers. I guess Maisyn’s around.

I can’t help but pick on him. “Why are you whispering?”

“Simple respect. One day, you’ll understand that, but until then, did you?” he rambles on.

I take my toothbrush from its holder, filling it up. I shove it in my mouth so I can mumble over it, “Yeah.”

“What did you say? I can’t understand you.” The line is silent, and all that can be heard is the humming of my brush. “Forget you. I’ll grill your ass later.”

I pull it out, spitting in the sink. “Okay, sounds good.” I hit end before he can say another word.

Lachlan and I have become close since my failed plan. He’s stepped up, calling me and working with me to help any way he can. As much as I like it, he also makes me feel uneasy.

I rinse my mouth and decide to trim my beard. “I have no idea what he has up his sleeve, so I better look my best. When your mirror image is in the same room, you have to up your game.”

Finishing up in the bathroom, I spend no time getting dressed. Lachlan rarely wears suits anymore. It’s more business casual. I would wear one, but he never said this was an important meeting.

“On second thought, I’ll go with the double-breasted gray suit.” Just to be prepared.

A few squirts of cologne and I’m out the door with plenty of time to spare. The sun is hot today, so I crank up the air conditioner to keep from melting before I can get there.

I jump on 504 and head toward Highway Seventeen, still making great time. I’ve tried to make it a habit of being early for anything I do now. Although, just showing up is a positive change for me.

My exit is the next one, so I switch lanes, readying for it. As I drive down the ramp, I hit my first issue. Bumper to bumper and there’s no end in sight. “I swear, I can’t win for losing.”

I ease into oncoming traffic, fighting the entire way into the city. The clock mocks me as I watch it tick precious time off, teasing me with every minute. I hear a horn. Thinking it’s for someone else, I keep my eyes forward.

Beep, beep. Now, it sounds as if it’s right beside me. I glance over, surprised to see someone waving at me. A blonde in a convertible Corvette models her hot pink bikini top for me.

“It pains me, sweetheart, but I’ve got to pass.” I blow her a kiss as I turn the corner. “No time to get sidetracked,” I growl as I adjust myself.

“You need to just calm down. I don’t have time for right now.” I straighten my leg, moving him again. “Later, I promise. We’ll take a trip so you can play on all the rides.”