“Yeah, that was pretty fucked up.”
“My mom seems like… she’s dealing with it at least,” I tell him, and he only keeps his eyes on the road.
“Yeah I’ve been making sure to check on her since you’ve been gone,” he says.
“Thanks man.” I knew he would. My family has been his family… him, me, and Lisa were all family. I feel myself becoming angry just thinking about her.
“You saw my dad?” I ask him, he glances over at me.
“I haven’t talked to him if that’s what you mean… you?”
“He was at the house when I came to. I kicked him out though.” Aidan looks at me with a disbelieving smile.
“You kicked your dad out?”
“Yeah…” I say with a half-smile, but it’s forced.
“What was he thinking coming to your house?” I take a deep breath and explain to him what’s been told to me. Everything from Cal trying to kill his stepdad to me being a Crestfield.
“Holy shit, you should have told me this before I started driving, man.”
“It’s not a big deal. It hasn’t made my life any better or worse knowing about it,” I say dryly. He glances over at me as if I’m crazy.
“Are you serious, dude? You’re a Crestfield and you don’t think it’s changing your life?” He sounds perplexed.
“Well, I mean the financial part, yeah. Turns out I’m worth millions of dollars.”
“Drop the fucking mic I’ve got to pull over,” he says dramatically.
“Keep going. The highway’s only about five more minutes off to the left.” I’m surprised by how fast the thought comes to me. I’ve only driven here twice.
He switches lanes. “You don’t drop that type of information on someone while they’re driving a car that they couldn’t afford in three lifetimes,” he says.
“I guess that part is pretty awesome,” I admit.
“You think?”
“That’s actually why I called you earlier. I was thinking we could go into business together.”
“Seriously?”
“Of course. You’re my best friend, and I can’t think of anyone better to be partners with,” I tell him.
“But… I’m not exactly a reader of the Wall Street Journal, Chris. I don’t know the first thing about starting a company,” he says honestly and that’s why he’s my best friend. Here I am offering him to experiment with my money—no investment of his at all—and he’s still looking out for my best interests.
“I’m not talking about starting a Fortune 500 conglomerate.” I laugh. “I was thinking about more along the lines of a car restoration business. Something that you could write a book on with what you know,” I tell him seriously.
“In Michigan, no one could afford what I’d want back out after putting that much time in though.”
“Not in Michigan but here. Look around. There’s obviously money everywhere and these people don’t know what to spend it on. I bet I can even wrangle up the right clientele through Dexter if I wanted to,” I say and he looks at me, a grin on his face.
“You’re serious, dude?” he asks me trying to suppress his enthusiasm.
“Yes, dead serious.”
“Wow, Chris. I don’t know what to say,” he says sheepishly and I don’t think I’ve seen Aidan look modest in his entire life.
“Say yes. I can’t think of anything better than working with my best friend. Besides I want something that’s mine. All of this money came from Cal… and Collin. I want to build something of my own, and if I have any episodes, I’d need to work with someone who won’t freak out and that I can trust,” I tell him honestly.
“Dude, if I wasn’t driving I’d kiss ya,” he declares with a wide smile.
“Well, thank God you’re driving then.”
We drive for about a half hour, and he tells me about the saga of him and Hillary which turns out to be a lot of partying and sex. He tells me what his grandma’s been up to, and I catch him up on my therapy sessions, and my meeting with Dexter Sr. As we’re pulling back into the garage of the apartment building, I have to ask him about the elephant in the room.
“So have you talked to Lisa? I mean you can tell me I won’t be mad… much.” It’s not like I expect Aidan to stop talking to her because of what she did to me and my family, even though he should since she’s proven to be a master manipulator and diabolical liar.
“Not in awhile… last I know she’s headed to California.”
“California? What would she be doing there?” I ask confused.
“Something with a guy…” he shrugs, and I laugh in disbelief.
“That’s ridiculous. What guy?” I ask, even though I shouldn’t care at this point. And I don’t, but I’m curious.
“Remember that Brett dude from high school?”
“You’re kidding?” He gives me a look to say he isn’t.
I shake my head. “Why would she do that? Abandon her whole life and take off with a guy she didn’t even really like in high school.”
“Well, it’s not like she had much left here, huh?” he asks, and I know I’m imagining the hint of disdain in his voice. He gets out of the car and I do the same.
“What about her kid?” I try to ignore the fact that the kid is my half-sister.
“Let’s not talk about Lisa anymore man,” he says exasperated and throws his arm around my shoulder. “You’re rich and we have two beautiful women to take out on the town…” he says and I can’t help but laugh at that.
“And drinks are on you, million-dollar man.” He pats me on the back before we go in.
“Are you guys ready to party in the big city!” Hillary squeals at the top of her lungs while sitting on Aidan’s lap in the back of our car. I try to keep from staring at her chest, but they’re out for everyone to see.
“It can’t be that much different from Michigan, can it?” I ask, and Hillary and Lauren share a giggle.
“Hey, Chris and I have been to some ragers in our day,” Aidan says trying to defend us.
“Oh please hon. We like that you’re small town boys, right Lauren?” Hillary teases.
“That’s the only thing that’s small about me,” Aidan tells her and I can’t wait to get a drink in my hand.
“You up for this, babe?” Lauren looks concerned, and I flash her a playful smile.
“Yeah, I’m good,” she says. I squeeze her hand in mine. We pull in front of the club Hillary chose, and get out of the car. There’s a long line of people. Hillary walks to a woman wearing a white dress that’s even skimpier than Hillary’s.
“Charlie!” She squeals, and she turns to her with a hard frown until his eyes trail down Aidan’s body.
“Hey babe, haven’t seen you in a while.” She says, and Hillary grabs Aidan’s arm and presses against him.
“Someone’s been keeping me busy.” Aidan rubs the back of his head and smiles nervously.
“I’d be hiding out too,” she tells Hillary and her eyes fall on me. I swallow hard and Lauren grips my arm. That makes me smile—she’s jealous or possessive—and either one is a turn on though she has nothing to worry about. She’s naturally beautiful, and even in the olive dress that shows ten percent of the skin most of the girls out here are showing, she’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.