55 Blacktop Obsession
"Dude, I feel like we are in the Sopranos or some shit." Roman muttered to Brian as they walked in the 'meeting room'. It had a rectangular long wooden table and a bunch of conference chairs and looked like something you find in corporate headquarters. Behind the long meeting table were dry erase boards on the wall and a screen for a projector at the front behind the head of the table.
"Shut up, Rome." Brian rolled his eyes, trying to hide his smile.
"Hi Boys. Glad you could make the meeting." Carter walked in, taking the time to look each one of them in the eyes.
"Nice house." Brian nodded.
"Thanks, let's make sure to keep it that way. I expect it to stay clean and orderly." Carter said as he clasped his hands behind his back as he walked around, reminding Roman of a teacher during an exam.
"Of course." Brian nodded, leaning back and folding his arms. He knew he couldn't let Carter think he was making them uncomfortable.
"Think of it as a hotel stay and there is no maid to clean for you. So I expect you to all keep things clean, nice and orderly. Pick up after yourselves." Carter explained, looking at Roman.
"Why you lookin at me, Homie?" Roman asked, looking offended. Tej gave Brian a look of concern as Roman shifted uncomfortably. The grin Carter gave told Tej what he needed to know. Carter liked to play games with people.
"Before we get...hold on, I gotta take this." Carter looked at his phone and stepped out quickly, shutting the door.
"Aw shit, man, he's probably getting something to kill us with." Roman said, shaking his head.
"Chill, Bro." Brian shook his head.
"Is it hot in here?" Roman pulled at his shirt a bit.
"You're okay, Ro." Tej laughed. "You're always so damn dramatic." Tej shook his head.
"Don't worry, that was his security ringtone." Hector assured him. "You're not gonna die." Hector promised him.
"I don't know, he seems crazier than before." Roman grumbled.
"Shut up, Roman. Just chill." Brian ordered in a whisper. "Nice Camera system and projector set up in here." He nonchalantly reminded Roman by complimenting the meeting room setup.
"Hey Carter. Sorry I'm late. Was helping Shayde." Han nodded as he walked up the stairs and started to head into the meeting room.
"No problem. I gotta take this call." Carter said. "Let them know I'll be back when I'm done please." Carter nodded, standing in the hall, one hand in his pocket, the other holding the phone.
"Yeah, of course." Han nodded as he walked into the meeting room. He couldn't help but grin at how somber the boys looked. "Relax, you're not gonna die. Today." Han promised.
"That makes me feel much better." Roman said dryly. Carter opened the door, stuck his head in and pointed to Brian. "Can you come out here?" he asked.
"What's up?" Brian asked, looking around. Carter hung up his phone and sighed.
"I just got a call that my head of security needs to be um...replaced. Thanks to an incident last night, he is no longer with us. Would you be willing to do the job?" Carter asked, folding his arms, watching Brian intently.
"Doesn't the security stay outside?" Brian asked, wondering what Carter's angle was.
"They do, but you won't. You can use the security room with the cameras in the house. It has a desk and all the cameras and things you need. I can get you anything else you need. It's a set up and it pays more. I just need walks around the property and things in order. You can give orders through the drones or go talk to the teams, I don't really care. I just need someone to do the job well." Carter said, his impatience showing as he looked at his watch. He had a flight to catch soon.
"I mean, I am good at running security, no problem. But I need Tej to help with the cameras and some of the more technical stuff but he's the man for the job for sure." Brian ran a hand through his hair.
"Yeah, yeah, he can do that. Just you and him. I do not want that other clown in there though." Carter warned.
"Okay." Brian laughed at Carter calling Roman a clown. "He's not that bad, I promise." Brian informed him.
"He's here to keep Kaidyn busy so he can do that. I don't really like his big mouth all that much but here we are and she's got to be kept busy." Carter grumbled.
"He's great with Kaidyn. They are good friends." Brian promised.
"Wonderful. Now get back in there and wait for me." Carter dismissed him. Brian nodded and went back into the meeting room.
"Hello." Carter's phone rang, this time it was Shayde calling.
"I want you to talk to her while you have the chance." Shayde said, biting her lip as she talked, trying to keep her voice low so Kaidyn who was at the bar and opening a wine cooler wouldn't hear her. She wasn't sure how this was going to go but she needed to see what Kaidyn's read on Carter was.
"She's really drunk, I take it hmm." Carter said, his voice a bit flat.
"This is your chance, do you want to talk to her or not? We can talk about your Daddy doesn't approve issues later." Shayde said, not really in the mood for his disapproval of letting Kaidyn drink.
"Do you want me to come down there right now?" Carter asked, his voice sounding like a growl.
"I'd actually love you to come down here right now but you know we can't do that. So do you want a chance to try to talk to her or not? Or are you too busy?" Shayde said, taking a drink of her water. She didn't care to drink alcohol much.
"Oh, Shayde…you are so glad that little girl is there right now." Carter said, missing her already. "I wish we could just call it a day and go back to our room." He admitted.
"It would be nice but as I told you earlier, you got out of bed and got today started. So here we are." Shayde smiled sweetly at him for the camera's sake.
"Yeah, yeah." Carter said dryly, not liking to be reminded.
"You're gonna miss your chance. She might pass out." Shayde warned.
"Let me talk to her. I love you, My Shayde. But what will you do if she freaks out?" Carter asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Then you'll send me some help down here, I am sure." Shayde shrugged, not in the mood to be nice to Carter. She was still very upset with him. It was hard to pretend to be his 'loving wife'. "You didn't think I'd see you over here getting another one?" Shayde asked, taking the wine cooler out of Kaidyn's hand. Kaidyn looked up at her, shocked. She tried to reach for it.
"It's mine. Please give it back. I am almost finished, then I will stop." Kaidyn pouted.
"Here, someone wants to talk to you." She handed Kaidyn the phone, making Kaidyn look interested. She gave her the phone and the wine cooler back.
"What do you want?" Kaidyn asked, not sure who was on the phone.
"You know, you should really be careful with how much you drink." Carter said, looking at the hall monitor screen and watching her on the screen. She was looking around, almost startled.
"How do you know I am drinking?" She asked, her eyes narrowing suspiciously.
"You sound like it." He replied. He could see she wasn't put at ease by that. "Plus Shay told me." Carter said, watching her relax a bit more.
"Why would Shay tell you about me?" Kaidyn asked, taking a drink of her peach wine cooler.
"She tells me everything. I always check up on you. I am always watching you." He promised.
"That's very creepy." Kaidyn replied, shaking her head in disdain. "Who are you if you talk to Shay all the time?" She asked, suspicious.
"Not to worry right now. " Carter replied.
"Well, I will worry right now. I don't know you and I don't think you sound very nice." Kaidyn held her chin up high and seemed irritated.
"You don't know me to even know if you like me. That is not very nice, young lady." Carter remarked.
"Young lady? Who are you? Are you born like a century ago?" Kaidyn asked, looking at Shayde. "Why am I talking to this person?" She asked, shaking her head.
"You will listen to Shayde and you will stop being rude." Carter ordered.
"Make me. I have been given jewelry and things to let people date her but I would not take nothing from you. You sound like a creepy old vampire." Kaidyn said, handing the phone back to Shayde.
"Honey, be nice. He's on speaker so he can still hear you. I'm sorry, Sweetheart. She's had a bit much to drink tonight." Shayde explained.
"Perhaps she should not drink anymore." Carter reasoned.
"Perhaps you should stop trying to date my sister and step off. You are a NO GO." Kaidyn shook her head.
"Kaidyn, you will stop being rude." Carter ordered, his temper getting the best of him and his voice being raised.
"Are you sure you're not a bad guy?" Kaidyn asked, making Shayde stiffen a bit. Shayde knew this was going nowhere.
"What would give you that idea, Kaidyn?" Carter asked, not sounding too happy with what she was saying.
"You sound mean, rude, condescending and to be honest…" Kaidyn started, her arms folded. "I am hanging up now." Kaidyn promised, grabbing the phone. Shayde took it back.
"Kaidyn, I am going to ask you to apologize." Shayde requested, knowing Carter was fuming. She was glad he was after the stunt he pulled with her room and the clothes.
"Nope, I am going to the bathroom. I am not apologizing. I am going to drink some more. I am going to drink until he disappears." Kaidyn promised.
"Kaidyn, you better behave and listen to your…" Carter started to yell.
"Sister. He wants you to listen to me. Now behave and go to the bathroom." Shayde warned, taking him off speaker.
"I will go to the bathroom and I will hope that he is gone by the time I get back. Hmmph." Kaidyn said, clearly angry. She did not know why she was angry.
"Tell her to keep on hoping. I should just come down there right now and give her an attitude adjustment. You have really let her get out of control." Carter remarked.
"Carter, she is adjusting and has been drinking all night. She is only a kid. Relax. I am sorry it did not go well. I guess my idea was a bad one." Shayde sighed, looking sad for his benefit in case he was watching the camera.
"It's fine. I have to go talk to these boys and handle the rest of this bullshit before I catch my plane." Carter sighed, irritated.
"I am sorry it did not go well. But at least she did not have an episode, so that is progress, right?" Shayde smiled.
"True." Carter agreed.
"When you get your business handled and have some free time, we really need to talk later if possible. I can't wait to talk to you tonight. Will you be able to make some time for me?" Shayde asked in a sultry voice. She was planning on handling the room situation with him once he was out of the house and could not stop her plans she had in her head.
"Oh, I can't wait to talk to you later. Will it be good?" Carter asked.
"Of course, Honey. It will be good news. You will love it. I promise." Shayde smiled sweetly.
"Okay, I will call you later. By the way, I have some things to discuss later too." he nodded.
"We can talk later. Love you, have a safe flight." Shayde siad, hanging up. Kaidyn came marching out of the bathroom just right after she had hung up, much to her relief. She turned on the scrambler and prepared herself for this.
"WHAT are you thinking, SHAYDE?" Kaidyn asked.
"What?" Shayde asked innocently, filing her nails.
"How do you know that guy? He is not going to date you. He is NO good for you at all. I hope you are not dating him." Kaidyn shook her head velhametly.
"You're right, I am not dating him, lil one." Shayde promised, getting a brush she had brought with her to comb Kaidyn's hair. That always calmed her down some.
"He's got such a bad aura. He seems very dangerous. I hope you didn't meet him on Tinder." Kaidyn shuddered. "He's probably a mass murderer or serial killer." Kaidyn admitted.
"Kaidyn! You must have strong feelings." Shayde tried to hide her grin as she brushed out the tangles in her hair.
"You think?" Kaidyn asked, rolling her eyes.
"I have another idea." Shayde smiled.
"NO! No more ideas for you tonight. That one sucked. It was SOOOOOOO bad. No more thinking for you. I am still traumatized." Kaidyn refused.
"Kaidyn, it's morning. You drank all night." Shayde reminded her.
"Well, I mighta drank all night but at least I wasn't on Tinder hooking up with some creep all night." Kaidyn shook her head in disgust.
"I did not hook up with a creep on Tinder. How do you even know what that is?" SHayde asked, shaking her head.
"Don't change the subject on me, Missy. You call your bestfriend and tell him to get us the hell outta dodge because this place is not the place for us." Kaidyn shook her head. "Where's Hector or Han? I need to tell them what you just subjected me to." Kaidyn said, shaking her head.
"KAIDYN." Shayde said, making Kaidyn shake her head more.
"SHAYDE. He is BAD news. I am telling you now. He couldn't pay me a million dollars or give me a zoo for him to be around you. And you know how much I love animals. He's dangerous." Kaidyn admitted.
"You don't know that." Shayde said, her stomach sinking because she knew Kaidyn called it right every single time. She had confirmed what she thought. Kaidyn was not liking the house and didn't like Carter just by hearing his voice. Her mind was reeling now. She had made a bad choice. Kaidyn just confirmed it for her.
"I do know that. With every damn bone in my damn body." Kaidyn promised. She got up and grabbed a bottle of vodka. "Drink with me, Shay. We need to forget him. Asap." Kaidyn said, pouring two shots.
"Kaidyn, this is not how this works." Shayde shook her head.
"Toast with me. I need a shot after that. So do you. At least it's this kind of shot and not a shot in the head, right?" Kaidyn asked, shaking her head.
"What the heck. Ok, no more alcohol for you. What do you mean a shot in the head?" Shayde asked, confused. "That makes no sense." Shayde admitted.
"I don't have to make sense. I am drunk as a skunk. But I bet if you were with that guy, he'd be the type of psycho that would shoot you in the head. Or someone in the head." Kaidyn predicted. "He is a bad guy. Don't ask me how I know, I don't understand it either." Kaidyn admitted, taking the shot of vodka she had poured herself. She then grabbed Shayde's glass and drank it too.
"Calm down on the drinking, lil one. Let me finish your hair. You still want to call my bestfriend?" Shayde asked, looking at how unsettled Kaidyn seemed to be right now.
"Yes, you promise you are not dating him? Because I am very worried right now. I can't shake how scared I am." Kaidyn admitted. Shayde hugged her.
"I promise I am not dating him." Shayde looked her in the eyes, feeling bad she was lying somewhat. Her words were dating, not married, thankfully, she thought.
"A Shayde promise?" She asked, looking at Shayde. Shayde nodded.
"Yes, a Shayde promise." She smiled at Kaidyn. "Now, let's toast since you stole my shot." Shayde smiled, noticing how much Kaidyn had sobered up after that call. She hoped Kaidyn would not wake up and remember any of this.
"You pour and I will drink." Kaidyn promised as she played with the braid Shayde had done her hair in.
"Deal. But do you still want to call my bestfriend?" Shayde asked, checking to make sure the scrambler was still on. She had no intentions of taking it off but wanted to make sure it was still on just to be safe.
"Yes, and he is my best friend." Kaidyn nodded. "He is going to get us outta here, I just know it." Kaidyn predicted.
"He will." Shayde agreed. "Somehow, someway." She muttered as she dialed him. "I'll be right back, you stay here and watch this bottle for me." Shayde said.
"Does it do tricks?" Kaidyn asked sarcastically.
"Maybe. I bet it empties itself." Shayde remarked.
"I bet so too." Kaidyn agreed with a nod. Shayde knew Kaidyn was going to drink and left her to it while she dialed her best friend.
"Hello." Her best friend answered on the first ring, like always.
"Hey. You busy?" Shayde asked, sitting back and watching Kaidyn pour herself a drink. She knew Carter was upstairs with the boys and leaving after that so she was actually able to sit back and relax.
"Never too busy for you, what's up?" he asked with a smile. She loved how she could hear his voice in his smile even over the phone.
"We need to talk. I made a terrible decision. I am second guessing everything. We are so screwed." Shayde explained quickly, her eyes on Kaidyn as she talked.
"Hey, hey, come on. Take a deep breath. First of all, are you guys okay?" He asked with concern.
"Yes, we're okay. But she drank and I had her talk to him on the phone to see how she'd react. And it was so bad. She didn't flip but it's not good. You need to watch the footage, if the tech guru can get it for you." Shayde advised.
"I"m here with the tech guru and I saw. That was some crazy stuff." He agreed. "I see you are letting her have her way with the bottle." He laughed. "She's cute when she's drunk as a skunk." He laughed. Shayde couldn't help but laugh.
"Stop making me laugh. She's funny. But she did not like him. And the shot in the head thing. She's never wrong." Shayde fretted. "We are so screwed, I fear." She admitted.
"First, I will never stop making you laugh. It's what I do best." Her best friend promised. "Second, you and I went over every scenario and we both know this was the best move we coulda made." He reminded her.
"I know but this just sucks." Shayde said, shaking her head. "Did you see her room? Why would he do that? I worry he is going to be awful to her and how he's going to treat her." Shayde admitted.
"Yes, I don't know what was up with that bullshit. That triggered Han so bad, you could tell." Her best friend admitted.
"Yeah, I noticed that too. He wants her to do pageants again. Like he wants to build her resume. Like he wants to sell her or something." Shayde shook her head. She watched Kaidyn sigh and grab the bottle, tired of pouring it in a glass.
"You do know she's drinking that whole bottle, right?" He asked with a laugh.
"I am hoping so. I need her to not remember any of this. I am worried her mouth is going to get us both killed." Shayde confessed.
"Yeah, you got the temper and she got the mouth." He laughed.
"I know. Just wait until you see what I do with that room." She promised.
"Just remember we talked about this. I know everyone is worried about the choices we made but we both know what's best for us and what the other outcomes would be. We will get through this. I promise you. A Shayde promise." He smiled.
"I love you and I miss you so much." She sighed.
"I love you too and miss you too. Tech Guru says ditto." He laughed. "I don't know how I feel about that but I guess I will let it pass." He laughed.
"Think she will remember this tomorrow?" Shayde asked, biting her lip.
"I think once that bottle is done, you are good. If she does, she has the boys to help distract her. Or the pool. Or the beach. If he lets you go to the beach." He rolled his eyes.
"He might let her but I know he won't let me." Shayde mused.
"You gonna be okay?" He asked with a worried sigh.
"I will be because we have no other choice." Shayde said with a heavy sigh. "But I will fuck this cage up and turn it upside down." She vowed.
"I expect nothing less. I hope you keep him on his toes the entire time." Her best friend encouraged.
"SHAYDE!" Kaidyn came over to her, barely able to walk straight. She grabbed Shayde's waist.
"What's up, lil one?" She asked, grabbing her and putting her in a chair. Kaidyn was swaying as she sat in the chair.
"That bottle, yo. You called it. Empty as fuck." Kaidyn shook her head. "I don't know what happened to it." She shrugged.
"It must have had a hole in the bottom." Shayde said sarcastically.
"Yes, that is what happened. You cracked the case. Good job. Are you talking to that serial killer again?" Kaidyn asked, her arms folding and dropping because she could not keep them folded.
"No, I am not. Have another drink." Shayde said, handing her a wine cooler.
"Ohhhh Peach. I love peach so much." Kaidyn's eyes lit up. "Who are you talking to?" She asked, stopping to look at Shayde. "Can you make calls on Tinder? Because you better not be on Tinder, damn it." Kaidyn accused.
"Oh she has a mouth when she drinks." Her best friend noted.
"Wonder who she gets that from?" Shayde asked, raising her eyebrow.
"We need Coronas and limes up in here. Awwwwww." Kaidyn sighed.
"What's wrong?" Shayde asked.
"Corona. I miss my Dom." Kaidyn sighed, looking sad. "I miss Cali." She said, sighing again loudly.
"You can't mix beer and liquor." Shayde said, trying to get her off her current subject.
"Let me talk to her?" Her best friend asked, sounding ready to take on the challenge.
"Kaidyn, my best friend's on the phone." Shayde said, watching for her reaction. "Want to talk to him?" She asked.
"You bet your britches I do. I need to tell him about your Tinder psycho date escapades. He won't be very happy with you." Kaidyn informed as she grabbed the phone from Shayde. Luckily Shayde had time to put it on speaker.
"What's the story, morning glory?" Her best friend asked Kaidyn.
"Oh there's a story and it's time for some tea." Kaidyn promised him, making him laugh.
"So I hear." He replied.
"She made me talk to psycho creeper dude I think she met on Tinder, and I am pretty sure he is as villain as they come." Kaidyn shook her head.
"You're safe. I am sure she was just trying to get an idea of your thoughts on him. I am sure she is not on Tinder." Shadye's best friend tried to ease her concern.
"Well, she does leave a lot and she does disappear sometimes. She was gone all night. I don't know." Kaidyn tsked her teeth as she finished her wine cooler.
"Can you do me a favor and not mention that phone call for me? Let's just pretend it didn't happen. Shayde's really embarrassed she had to have you talk to him to find out he was a bad dude. If we keep talking about it, it might make her think she has bad taste." Her best friend said.
"BUT SHE DOES." Kaidyn replied, making Shayde hide her expression as she listened.
"So I'm bad taste?" He asked.
"NOOOO. Not you. I need you to come here and rescue us, please." Kaidyn begged.
"Awe, I am working on it." He promised.
"Work faster and quicker. Please and thank you." She requested. "I mean, I am talking like yesterday, my avenging angel." She nodded, looking at Shayde and pointing to the peach snapps bottle.
"You are going to be sick." Shayde warned.
"Nah, I can handle my liquor." Kaidyn boasted.
"You sound like someone else I know so well." Shayde muttered, handing her the bottle.
"Oh yeah? It better be your best friend. I don't appreciate how you be treating him." Kaidyn shook her finger at Shayde. This made her best friend laugh.
"What if I told you she was coming to see me all those times she disappeared?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Then I'd say let's plan a wedding and get you guys hitched." Kaidyn nodded. "I've always wanted to plan a wedding. I think I'd be good at it." Kaidyn confessed.
"Really?" He asked.
"Yup, Han gave me an assignment where I had to do one for some stupid lame class and it was so fun picking out eveyrthing. Shayde liked most of my choices." Kaidyn giggled as she took a long drink. She was holding the bottle like a drunken pirate and Shayde had to turn away to keep from laughing.
"Well, if that ever happens I will let you know but you must never mention me or her to anyone, okay?" Her best friend asked. "No one. Not a word in that house, okay? Because then I may not be able to come to your house and help get you out of there. Don't even mention me to Han or Hector or anyone, okay?" He requested.
"Can I mention you to Shayde?" She asked, her eyes wide.
"I prefer you not to because the house may be listening. But if she brings me up, then it's okay. Does that make sense?" He asked, hoping it did.
"Ohhh, it makes soooo much sense. I get you. I wish Shayde could get you and stay off the dating apps." Kaidyn said, making him almost spit out his drink.
"Lil Shay, you need to get some sleep I think." He laughed.
"I think you need to get with the OG Shay." Kaidyn laughed, cracking herself up. "But seriously, we need to get out of here. I am scared." She admitted.
"It will be okay. Just remember I need you to remember that the house has ears and you have to be careful what you say and try to not complain. Can you do that for me?" He asked.
"I will try to but I have a mouth on me." Kaidyn sighed, being honest.
"That is all I can ask." He nodded.
"But please for everything, do a Shayde promise and get us the hell up outta here?" She asked as she yawned.
"I will get you out of there but it will take some time, lil one. I need you to hang in there for me and try to be as good as you can and help out Shay for me. You are like my biggest helper since I can't be there." He advised her.
"I'm a helper? Not a problem? That's a first because I always be gettin into trouble." She admitted.
"Awe, don't say that. Princess, you will always be my helper." He promised as she yawned again.
"I love you, my angel. Can you please tell Shay you are my best friend too?" She asked. "She needs to share." she declared.
"You are for sure my best friend too." He nodded. "Do you still know my number? Can you try to tell it to me right now?" he asked, hoping she could remember it while drinking. They had drilled his number into her head in case of emergencies and they periodically checked to make sure she knew it.
"I can't remember it right away. Let me think on it." She admitted.
"Take all the time you need." He coaxed.
"I can dial it. I think." She nodded.
"I'll hang up and you call me right back? Okay?" He asked.
"Okay." She promised. She let him hang up. She looked at Shayde. "He wants me to call him right back to see if I know the number." She explained.
"Yes, I know, he was on speaker." Shayde smiled.
"What if I don't know it?" Kaidyn chewed on her lip, squinting to see the phone. She sighed in frustration.
"You got this. I know you do." Shayde encouraged.
"Can we go sit on the couch?" She asked, looking at Shayde.
"Yes, let's go." Shayde smiled, knowing she was getting tired and was close to passing out. She sat down and Kaidyn laid down, her head in her lap. She held the phone over her head and looked at the numbers and slowly dialed it.
"Hey Princess, great job." Her best friend answered on the first ring, like he almost always did.
"I was having some trouble. I am sorry I was so slow." Kaidyn said, her voice light.
"As long as you get it, that is all that matters." he promised. She closed her eyes.
"I love you, best friend." She said in a breathy voice as she started to fall asleep.
"Can I talk to Shayde?" He asked.
"Yeah. Here you go, Mom." Kaidyn said her eyes closed as she played with Shayde's long black hair in her hand. Shayde took it off speaker phone.
"Did she just say what I think she said?" He asked, his voice sounding shocked.
"That was nice to hear. I know it's the alcohol but I'll take it." Shayde smiled, playing with Kaidyn's hair and moving it out of her face.
"You two look so cute. I am looking at Tech guru's camera and I wish I was there with you both. So much." He admitted.
"I wish you were here too." She nodded, blowing the camera a kiss.