Page 37 of Reckless Chances
Charlie couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “That doesn’t sound like Emma.” But he thought back to Stacy’s warning and wondered where that had come from.
“Charlie. You don’t know her. She’s evil,” Jason said. “And, after Karlie, I don’t think that you want to be with a serial cheater. She cheated on Adam the entire time they were engaged. She fucked some guy in his walk-in closet for god’s sake. Can you imagine, some guy banging your girlfriend surrounded by your golf shirts?”
Charlie pulled the plastic cover off one of the barstools. “I think that I need a drink. “His heart was deep in the pit of his stomach as he processed this new information. Hours earlier he had fucked Emma in her storage closet. Maybe it was her thing. The storage room, that wasn’t a first-time thing for her
“Where do you think she got the money for her business?” Jason kept going. “She stole the ring he gave her. She took the diamond out of it, cashed it, and left the rest of it on his front porch.” He shook his head. “I’m telling you, man. Evil.”
“Are you sure?” Charlie narrowed his lips.
“Absolutely. If you ask her, she’s gonna deny it. She lied about so many things. I can’t believe that Adam stayed with her as long as he did. He finally kicked her out when he found another man’s boxer shorts in the laundry hamper.”
Suddenly Karlie and Emma seemed to share a lot in common. “I seem to have a type.” He whispered. “I can’t believe I was so wrong about her.”
Jason jangled the car keys inside his windbreaker pocket. “I’m sorry to be the one to tell you all of this. I’m just glad I caught this at the beginning before she had the chance to do any real damage.”
“Yeah. Thanks, Jay.” Charlie rubbed his beard. “I guess you never really know someone do you?”
“Nope.” Jason shook his head. “That’s why I stick to the floozies. They just want one thing, and I’m prepared to give that away, and nothing else. He turned to leave. “Oh, shit. I almost forgot. She was sneaky and got her name on Adam’s townhome, so she stole half of that too.”
“Where are you going now?” Charlie asked. “I could use some help here if you’re sticking around.”
“Wish I could bro.” Jason stepped forward and threw an arm around his brother’s shoulder in a loose hug. “I’ve got to get back to the city before traffic gets too bad.”
“Alright,” Charlie said. He wasn’t disappointed, his expectations were set extremely low when it came to his brother. “Drive safely. And let me know when you’ve got the date set for the bachelor party.” Charlie pulled the measuring tape from his pouch and started to measure out the next piece of drywall.
“Friday!” Jason shouted as he disappeared out of the front entrance.
Once he was out of sight, Charlie slumped down on the floor and rested his head in his hands. How did he miss it? To him, Emma was a sweet young woman who was working hard to get her new business established, but Jason wouldn’t lie to him.
He stood up and brushed off the back of his pants. Even though Adam told him not to do it, he had to talk to Emma. He had to see for himself. He undid his tool pouch and set it down beside the huge stack of drywall. He didn’t have to go far for his answer, as he reached the door, he saw a shadow through the frosted glass – Emma was on the other side.
He pushed the door open as she was about to knock. She had his hat in her hands. “I thought you might be looking for this,” she said and held it out.
“Thanks,” Charlie took the hat and put it on his head.
“I wanted to plan our hike,” she smiled.
“Yeah, about that.” Charlie took a deep breath. “I need to talk to you.”
She looked up at him with her doe eyes, batting her lashes as her eyes searched his. “What about?”
“Come in, Emma. I think we need to sit down for this conversation.”
