CHAPTER 5
Cam looks around the half empty space, clearly impressed.
"What do you think?"
"You really know how to pick 'em out, Alex. This place looks damn good."
"Thanks. It'll only take another week or two to get it totally up and running."
"Is this where I'll be working?" The other male speaks up.
"Uh, no, Luke. Not exactly. You'll be with me, like always, and I'll be around here quite a bit until we've fully take off, but not so much after."
He nods. "Gotcha."
"How are you other business picks going?" Cam asks.
"Great. I'm mostly focusing on this place and the sports shop at the moment. Our other endeavors can wait." Alex answers.
"So, when we're here, how much 'work' will we actually be doing?" Luke wonders. "Cause I'm sure the ladies won't be able to keep their hands off me and it's not like I can't give them the attention. They'd riot!"
"You're one cocky little shit, you know that?" Cam glares at him.
"Come on, Cam. You know it's the truth."
The older male shakes his head and goes to look at the rest of the club. Luke follows behind him, continuing his postulation of greatness. Alex shakes her head in amusement and goes outside.
"Alex?!"
Alex turns in time to see a small blur coming at her. The force of the hug literally takes her off her feet and knocks her against the railing. She's suddenly released from the near bone crushing hug and slapped in the stomach.
"You disappear for years. Years, Alex. Now you're back and just walking around like nothing's happen? You bitch!"
The brunette slaps her on the arm this time.
"Ow, please stop hitting me, Summer."
"Why should I?" She punctuates the question with another hit to the blonde's arm.
"I was going to tell you that I was back, honestly."
"Yet here I am, just happening to run into you during my break."
"I've been back for less than 24 hours."
Another slap to the arm.
"And I should have known the first minute. Wait, scratch that, I should have known before you decided to run away five years ago!"
"I didn't run. I just needed to get away so I could deal."
"I could have helped you. I was supposed to be your best friend and you could have came to me with anything. For anything. Instead you turned your back on me."
Summer shakes her head sadly and Alex is floored. She hadn't wanted to leave all those years ago. She'd tried to fight it, but she knew in the end it was the right thing to do. She still thought it was wrong to leave so suddenly and without word to anyone though. She felt horrible for what she'd done and wouldn't be able to bear the sadness her friends held because of her, so she vowed to herself that she would find a way to make things right with each and every one of them.
"Would you like to go to lunch with me, Summer? We can catch up on things."
"You know I would. Have you told Marissa you're back?"
"Saw her yesterday."
"Oh." She says as if that explains everything.
"What?"
"Nothing."
