Lahat ng Kabanata ng Club Red: Sin And Seduction : Kabanata 181 - Kabanata 190

'You are at Arson’s house, aren't you?' I guess I don't have to tell her, she already figured it out. I'm not surprised; she’s a smart woman and she knows me far too well. 'What would you say if I told you I am?' I'm still not sure I'm ready to share this information, but I have to respond somehow, or she's going to start freaking out. I don't need the cops knocking on Arson’s door doing a Wellness check because my bestie is a little crazy. Although I think that would be kind of a funny scenario, it's one that I'd like to avoid if at all humanly possible. At first it would be embarrassing and humiliating, uncomfortable, but we’d all laugh about it later. I hope. 'I would say you'd better spill the details.' Yep, that's about the answer I expected from my best friend. “Well, that's an adorable smile on your face.” I glance up to see Arson standing in the doorway. “My best friend is really happy for us.” He chuckles. “Don't worry, I didn't tell her anything weird.” I don’t know

“Well, that's comforting.” Despite saying the words in a deadpan tone, I'm joking, and she seems to know that I am because she bursts out laughing. I revel in the sound of her laughter, loving that I made her totally lose control. We continue at our quick clip, even when the trail steepens. Before I know it, the trees on the trail are opening up, marking the end of our destination. “Come on,” I say, taking her hand and leading her toward my favorite spot. I remember exactly where the huge boulder with the flat top is and guide her up on top of the over-large rock. Once we’re on the flat surface, I sit down and take the backpack off my shoulders. She sits down beside me, letting out a little whistle. Mountains rise majestically in the distance, their peaks adorned with snow. Panoramic views of the valleys below in neighboring peaks stretch out as far as the eye can see, and the landscape is a symphony of vibrant and dark greens that give way to snow on taller peaks and blue far bel

“I hear ya loud and clear, boss.” She sounds relieved by my decision, and I'm surprised I don't have to explain myself. While I don't think he did what he did intentionally, I sure as heck don't want him back in my office. “Now I'm really going to make a call.” She glances down at me and I hesitate. “Wait, do you really have a boyfriend?” “He's not really a boyfriend, but he is someone I'm seeing.” She laughs. “I thought you were just saying that so he could stop being a creeper and get out of here.” With those words, she confirms my suspicions that she was going along with what I said. “Thank you for having my back, I appreciate you.” My chest expands and it's hard to catch my breath. I had spent so much time worrying that she and I weren't friends, but when I needed her the most, she'd really stepped up and helped me out. “It's nothing, really. You’d do the same for me.” She tries to brush off my words. “You're right, I would do the same for you. We have to have each other '

Lyla is quiet for a moment, staring into her glass as if the booze holds all the answers. When she does speak, she’s oddly subdued. “Does she make you happy? Truly?” I think about Laurel for a moment, staring off into space, then nod my head. Sure, she makes me happy and maybe we’re not serious, but her hospital trip made me realize I do like her. Maybe not enough to be using what’s between us as a deterrent for Lyla, but sometimes it’s easier to let someone down gently with a reason than abruptly without one. She won’t accept that I don’t want to be with her, so here’s a reason I can’t be, even if it’s a fragile one. Her shoulders slump and she continues staring into her drink, looking broken and sad. I’d swear there are tears welling up in her eyes, but it’s not my place to comfort her. Not anymore. “You’ll find the right guy someday. Someone who will love you like you deserve. I’m just not that man.” Okay, maybe comforting her a little bit is helpful. “Are you sure?” She glanc

“I would and I will if you don’t behave yourself.” She sounds indignant, as if she can’t believe I’d doubt her or challenge her. “You can’t. You’re working.” I stick my tongue out and blow a raspberry at her while tucking the phone between my ear and shoulder to get a glass of water. My mouth feels drier than a bag full of cotton balls. Let her try to argue with my logic. “Not forever. I’ll stop by after work and if I find out you've been cleaning, I’ll be very disappointed in you.” Her threat seems really weak, and I carry my glass of water back to the couch. “That’s it? You’ll be disappointed? Sheesh, dad, I had no idea you were there.” I take a drink and set the cup on the coffee table, still itching to clean. There’s a fine layer of dust on the table and I want to wipe it down more than anything. “Give me a break, it was the best I could think of in the moment.” I hear the noise on the other end of the line fading. “I’m on break now, so I can tell you what I found out about Ar