Chapter 115: LA

Thursday, January 5th, Evening

The sun was setting over the Pacific Ocean. The only light that illuminated her was the red-orange of the setting sun. There's some comfort in this, as she sat there and watched the sun calling it a day. Her drink rested by her hand as she stretched back and enjoyed the sunset.

Normally, she would be indoors for this, but several years ago, the rooftop media room was turned into a fifth bedroom by Fawn. Fawn felt bad for this resident and offered him the room. It also brought her another rent income. Flynn turned out to be just one of the girls and fit in well. The only issue with his room as he had no shower, so he generally shared one of the others, depending on who's shower was available, generally, he shared Candi's. Candi had shared a bathroom with a brother so she was cool with it. She looked at it as paying it forward when her brother did the same for her.

Doctor Candi Scott sipped at her beer. She still liked her beer, and would occasionally have a glass of wine. She also annoyed people in either insisting she open it herself or pour it herself. But that was just her way.

"Hiding from the world up here?" Fawn asked as she came onto the rooftop deck.

"Just enjoying the view," Candi said, not looking at her housemate/landlady.

Fawn smiled and took a seat next to Candi. From a distance people would think that Fawn and Candi were sister, both were tall, Candi being noticeably taller by almost a half of foot. Both also had blue eyes and brown hair, with Fawn's being dark brown and Candi's light. They were friends for years, and Candi was Fawn's first tenant.

"Even when Alden is over?" Fawn asked.

Candi shook her head, "They're not loud, and anyway, my Dad and step-mom were louder," she said.

"The unshakable Candi Scott, maybe we should have a musical about you," Fawn said, joking.

Candi laughed, "Maybe if we let Kaelyn talk to them, she could get her pop princess theory some traction," she said.

Fawn shook her head, "Yeah, and make Kaelyn think she's right for a change," she said.

Candi smirked, "Maybe, I should call my Aunt Haley and get a fake album cover made up to stoke Kaelyn's curiosity," she said.

"Oh really? What would you call your first album?" Fawn asked, putting air quotes on the word first.

"Lynnsanity," Candi said.

"Lynnsanity?" Fawn asked.

"My middle name is Lynn," Candi said.

"I see," Fawn said, "Cover art?"

"I think I could come up with a picture or three," Candi said.

Fawn laughed, "We should do it," she said.

"Just to fuck with Kaelyn's mind?" Candi asked.

"Yeah, why not?" Fawn asked.

Candi smirked, "I'll see what I can do," she said.

Fawn shook her head, "What about the other stuff? Songs and stuff, because you know she'll want to hear it," she said.

"I can figure it out," Candi said.

"This can get rather elaborate," Fawn said.

"I know," Candi said, just as her smartphone began to vibrate. Candi held up a finger to let Fawn know to give her a moment. Candi next answered the phone, "Hey James, great game against the Kings," she said.

"Yeah, we pulled it together tonight," James said.

"A few more like tonight and you can turn the season around," Candi said.

"Your lips to god's ears," James said.

Candi laughed, "So, what's the news?" she asked.

James sighed, "Ashlyn was drunk, and complaining about Brett and being lonely," he said.

"I get being lonely, but what is Brett doing?" Candi asked.

"She's being seventeen," James said.

Candi nodded, "Well, Brett is just like Ashlyn, both are thick-headed," she said, "When they think they're right, which is always."

"I didn't say it," James said.

"I know, I did, that's what cousins are for," Candi replied, "Uncle Nate will probably say the same thing."

James laughed, "Speaking of My Dad, I talked to him," he said.

"Oh yeah?" Candi asked.

"He can't come out either night, but he has something being FedEx'd for after the Clipper's game," James said.

"I hope it's good," Candi said.

"It's good, very good, I'm actually surprised how good, considering the limitations," James said.

"So, what is it? You're killing me smalls," Candi said.

James laughed, "I can't tell you," he said.

"No fun," Candi said and looked to Fawn, "Do you want to speak to my once favorite cousin?"

Fawn shook her head.

"Candi, don't be overdramatic," James said, "I can't tell you because I also don't know."

Candi shook her head, "Oh, then that's different, you're my favorite cousin again," she said.

James chuckled, "Not much competition there," he said.

Candi shook her head, "Sadly no, there's not, but Jessi is coming on strong," she replied.

"You wound my heart," James said.

Candi laughed, "Serves you right," she said.

"So, we'll be down in LA soon," James said.

"You still cool with me and the girls getting drinks with you tomorrow night?" Candi asked.

"Yeah, as longa s it's in my hotel, I should be all good," James said.

"We're not going to cause Ashlyn to have a stroke, are we?" Candi asked.

"Hopefully not, but you know Ashlyn," James said.

"That I do," Candi said.

"Well, I've got to go," James asked.

"Alright, see you tomorrow, Big Game James," Candi said.

"God, stop call me that, I'm too old for that crap," James said.

"Okay, King of Kings," Candi said.

"Candace Lynn," James said.

"That's my name, so please don't wear it out or you'll have to get me another one," Candi said.

"Yeah, I'll get you something you can't pronounce," James said.

"Alright, I better stop or X is going to give it to me," Candi said.

"Bye Candace Lynn," James said and hung up.

"Bye James Lucas," Candi said and turned to Fawn.

Fawn just shook her head, "Hard to believe you can get away with talking to him like that," she said.

"It's odd too," Candi said, "Growing up my two favorite basketball players were Jeremy Lin and Nathan Scott, my Mom would take me to all the Knick's Games courtside when the Lakers were in town, and always pointed out Nathan Scott to me."

"Make sense he is your uncle," Fawn said.

"I didn't know it back then," Candi said, "Later I found out it was cool."

"So, you're close to James?" Fawn asked, "He wasn't in Tree Hill when I went with you."

"Not initially, but we became close in college. Believe me, my freshman and sophomore years I spent a lot of time in the house they had at Duke. James is no different in the morning than Flynn," Candi said.

Fawn shrugged, "You know how many women would want to know that information, Doctor Scott?" she asked.

"Well, according to Ashlyn, his wife, all of them," Candi said.

"Ashlyn the jealous type?" Fawn asked.

Candi shook her head, "Not sure on that one, but the distance does strain things, from what I'm told," she said.

"They don't live together?" Fawn asked.

"Not during the season," Candi said, "James lives in Miami and Ashlyn in North Carolina with the kids. Ashlyn tried but didn't do so well in Miami from what I'm told."

"I guess not," Fawn said.

Candi held up her beer bottle, "Guess so," she said.

Fawn held up her drink, "To Ashlyn Scott?" she asked.

"Yeah, to Ashlyn Scott," Candi said, "Or better yet, to sweethearts and spouses."

Fawn laughed, "Shall neither meet," she said.

"Right you are," Candi said, smiled and drank.