I do actually find it quite comical. Well, now that Stu and Joan chatted with me after the whole ordeal in the diner. They made me realize that people like Dylan, one’s born into privilege; some of them just can’t see past the blinders they were born with. It’s up to us to show them differently.
“Listen, Chase; I have a plan.”
A squeal most would think could only come out of the mouth of a teenage girl, rings through the phone. “You do! Velyn, what is it—death by poisoning? No, that may be taking it too far. Near-death by poisoning? No, still too much. What about maiming? Yes, that would work. He’d only be out temporarily, giving him enough downtime to reconsider his decision.”
Note to self—start to limit Chase’s exposure to mob movies. “I was thinking about just talking to him.”
“What! No, Velyn, it won’t work.”
“Relax, Chase. Your brother and I are adults. There’s no reason we can’t sit down and figure this out…you know, come to a compromise,” I reassure.
Chase groans. “I’m sorry, have you fallen and hit your head recently. I’m just wondering because that would be the only explanation for your amnesia like symptoms.”
“Why are you always so dramatic? Chase, it’ll be fine. I believe once Dylan hears me out, he’ll see things my way.”
“Yep, definitely amnesia.”
Not amnesia, but I’m certainly taking a leap of faith here. I mean, Dylan Dandridge reasonable? Just getting him to talk to me will be an accomplishment in itself. If I can actually manage to get him to agree with me, then I’ll be able to accomplish anything.
Well, I could accomplish almost anything, if in the past three weeks, I was able to track Dylan down. It’s like he knows I’m looking for him and any time I’m remotely close, he just disappears.
“Maybe you need to try a different approach?”
I look to Ava, who’s sitting across from me in the library. As promised, she’s helping me with my Calc class, and may I add; she’s phenomenal—the other bonus is that we’ve also become good friends.
“Another approach would still entail me tracking him down. He’s evaded my every move,” I reply.
“Have you tried any of the usual spots he likes to frequent?” Ava asks.
“I don’t know where any of those are,” I reply.
Jordan comes in behind Ava, giving her a quick squeeze from behind then pulls out a seat.
“Where what are?” he asks.
Ava leaning into Jordan’s arms, replies, “Dylan’s hangouts.”
He growls. “Have you tried Eller’s House in the west end on fourth? He loves that place. He’s actually quite a regular.”
Interest now piqued; I sit up. “No, I haven’t, how do I get there?”
Jordan lets out a snicker then takes in a quick gasp of air when Ava elbows him in the side. “Ow, I was just playin’, babe.”
Ava turns to me, shaking her head. “Don’t listen to him. Eller’s House is a Gentlemen’s Club.”
“Like cigars and whiskey?” I ask.
“No, more like steak dinners, cheap beer, and naked women,” Jordan adds.
“Eugh, does he actually go to places like that?” I ask, wondering what kind of appeal a strip club would have to a guy that apparently has a different woman in his bed every weekend.
Jordan shrugs as though it’s nothing. “Well, we used to, but if I’m going to be honest, it was never really our thing. When we were freshmen, the older guys took us there. As time went on, we just kept going back because it was a great place to hang out where the clingy college girls weren’t all over us, and we could drink two-dollar beers and shoot the shit in peace.”
I let out a sigh. “So, what you’re telling me is that’s where Dylan’s probably hiding out?”
“It’s a good possibility if he was looking to get away. But you won’t be able to get in there unless a man escorts you in,” Jordan explains.
Ava sits up, turning to look at him. “What kind of ass-backward place is that? What if I want a steak dinner, cheap beer, and to watch naked women?”
Jordan’s brow perks. “I’d say you really are the woman of my dreams.”
“Why do I even?” Ava lets out, turning back to me and laying into Jordan’s arms.
Jordan leans in a little closer. “Look, if you really want to track him down, I’ll take you. But once we’re in, you’re on your own. He owes me an apology, and I’m not about to give him the satisfaction of thinking that I’ve come crawling on my hands and knees.”
“If the two of you are going, I’m coming too,” Ava says.
I look to them, and then I remember. “Guys, one problem…I’m only twenty. I’m underage.”
A broad toothy grin brightens Jordan’s face. “You leave that to me. I’ve got people.”
I look to Ava, hoping for some reassurance, but she just shrugs, “He’s got people!”
And people he had! Within the hour, Jordan produced an impressive I.D. I mean, even I couldn’t tell it was a fake.
“What other kinds of people do you have?” I ask, wondering now who else Jordan has at his fingertips, but then I reconsider. “Actually, don’t answer that. I don’t ever want to perjure myself on the stand in your defense.”
Looking into his rearview, he offers me a smile. “Aww, you’d perjure yourself for me?”
“No, but I would for Ava’s benefit. She really seems to like you, and I have to say, these days it’s hard to find a submissive–I mean accommodating partner,” I reply with a chuckle, Ava in front bursting into a fit of giggles herself.
Jordan looks to me, brow arched. “I have a feeling I should’ve found
