Sweet Little Lies

Ch. 19 Snap

Harper Morgen
I stand by the sink helping Ma with the dishes, she hums under her breath a Josh Gorban song. Leaving me to my own thoughts. Dinner was a little awkward, but Dan didn't say anything embarrassing, which I'm grateful for. Ma acted over joyed every time she looked at Ajax, tonight.  Remmy looked mostly bored and thoughtful, which isn't like him. Ajax looked downright frustrated, it was so cute and pitiful. Good ole Pa didn't seem to notice anything, which doesn't surprise me.
"You should take Remmy out tonight. Maybe ask Kira to go to, a little double date might be just what he needs." Ma suggests, handing me another dish to dry. I think about her suggestion and its not a bad idea. I know Remmy wont be staying but I bet Kira and him would hit it off.
I nod. "I think you're right. I'll go talk to the boys." I say, walking to the living room to find all four of them silent. Pa is reading the newspaper, Dan is sleeping, Ajax is.... pouting? And Remmy is staring off into space.
"Alright, everyone under 50 stand up. We're going out." I order, pulling up Kira's number on my phone.
"Count me out." Dan replies, not opening his eyes or moving.
"Fine." I reply, not really bothered if he stays or goes. Kira answers on the third ring. "Hey, what are you doing tonight? Wanna meet downtown?" I ask, praying she says yes.
"Sure. Where at?"
Relieved I answer, "Lets try Atwood's tonight." Donnie's was fun the other night but I've been wanting to see into Atwood's. From what I heard they renovated the place 6 months ago and its said to be really nice, with a lot more available seating.
"Great, see ya there." She, says, ending the call. I look over to at a suddenly lively Dan, slipping his boots on.
"I thought you didn't want to go?" I question, suspiciously.
"Changed my mind." He answers, standing up and stretching.
Oh, my gosh. I smile knowingly. My big bro has a crush on my best friend....my smile drops. Ewe. I hear Ajax laugh, clearly watching my discovery of Dans secret crush and my feelings about it play out on my face. Well, so much for setting Kira up with Remmy. Even if I think its gross, I'd never do that to my brother.
We all ride with Ajax to the Bar, when we're halfway there I cant stop myself from ribbing Dan. "So...Kira, shes pretty. Don't you think Dan?" I ask, turning from my seat in the front to watch his reaction.
He narrows his eyes at my question. "Shut it, Harp."
Ajax and I laugh. "What? It was just a question." I reply, innocently. "You know she's talked about you before." I say, letting the comment hang in the air.
"And?" He questions, irritated with me but still curious.
"I thought you wanted me to, 'shut it?'" I repeat, smirking at his loud growl.
"So, you can like my best friend but I cant like yours? Is that it?" He questions, snidely.
"I didn't say that. I think it'd be nice if you guys dated." I say, honestly.
"So what did she say about me?" He asks, trying to sound nonchalant but failing miserably. I cant help but smile about how high school this all is.
"Well, since you asked nicely. She said that you were one of the hottest available men in town." Witnessing his relief is cute. "I'd say you definitely have a shot here, don't blow it." I warn, jokingly.
    The crowd at the bar is surprising but there's a live band tonight, with little else going on in this town, things like this tend to draw a crowd. We make our way to an open table, I text Kira to see if shes here. "Kira just parked. "Dan, you should go greet her so she doesn't have to look for us." I suggest, wiggling my eyebrows.
"Knock it off, Harp." He grumbles, getting out of his seat and walking towards the door.
"What are you going to drink tonight?" I ask, Remmy.
"Come on, beautiful. You know what I'm getting." He replies, looking around the room.
"Rum and Coke." I answer, just as Dan and Kira join the party.
Dan pulls out a seat for Kira and as she sits I immediately say, "You called my Mother! You narc! Seriously, the Sahara Desert?"
She laughs. "Sorry, but I got money riding on this bet."
"What bet?" Dan asks, as I shake my head in disappointment. Of course, I'm sure the whole town is in on this. I'm sure there are odds and everything.
"Some of us placed bets on when Ajax and Harper are gonna to get hitched." She explains, not at all ashamed at her behavior.
I roll my eyes, and turn to Remmy. "Remmy, this is my ex best friend, Kira." Turning to Kira I say, "Backstabber, I mean Kira. This is my friend, Remmy." After introducing them we place our order with the waitress, she must've moved to town in the time I was gone because I don't recognize her.
    After a couple drinks the band starts playing a couple slow songs. Ajax drags me out to the dance floor for each one and Kira takes turns dancing with Remmy and Dan, much to Dan's, displeasure. Deciding I have to intervene on Dan's behalf I follow Kira to the bathroom. In the back of my mind I acknowledge I'm turning into my Mother. I wait for her to leave the stall.
"Hey, we've gotta talk." I say, seriously.
Confused she asks, "Is this about the bet? Because seriously, its not just me."
"No, its not about that, its about Dan." I respond, watching her face flood with embarrassment.
"Have you been seeing him? Without telling me?" I question, amazed.
She shakes her head, "No, nothing like that."
"Then why are you blushing?"
"Its nothing." she says, brushing past me to the sink.
"Are you interested in him?" I ask, smiling because I already know the answer. Her eyes meet mine in the mirror, and she looks away nervously. "Fine. If you wont tell me I wont tell you want he told me in the car." I sing, happily.
She turns so quickly I jump back as I get splashed with water. "Tell me." She begs desperately.
I smirk. "That he likes you." I reply, simply.
She looks at me in sad disbelief. "Dan would never come out and say that."
"You're right. What happened was, he said he didn't want to go out tonight. Then I call you and all of a sudden he has a change of heart. I could totally tell he was crushing on you. So, on the way here, I asked him why he'd change his mind on coming. His response, "What? You can like my best friend, but I cant like yours." I mock, in my best 'Dan' voice.
Her eyes wide she smiles. "Really?"
I nod, "Yep. So, I guess this will take the gossip world by storm. You know I think I should thank you in advance for distracting everyone from Ajax and I. What do you think the bet on you two will be? I hope for your sake you get longer then 2 months." I state. The color drains from her face. "Not so funny now is it?" I inquire, smugly.
"Karma, that bitch!" She yells, throwing her wadded up paper towel into the trash. I laugh as we leave the restroom.

Ajax West
    When the night finally ends I drive Dan home then continue to The West End with Remmy. If there is one thing a guy can pick up on its jealously. I wait for him to say something, because frankly, I don't see us talking about anything else, but Harp.
"Do you love her?"
"Yup." I answer, without thinking.
He chuckles, annoyingly. "Thats where we have a problem. You see, I love her too."
I shake my head. "Its not a problem for me."
He looks at me perplexed. "Sure it is. We're in love with the same woman."
"And that woman is in love with me. Like I said, its not a problem for me." I respond, dismissively.
"You think I'll just sit back and let you have her? I'm gonna fight for her." He replies, threateningly.
I feel my hand grip the wheel harder. "Do you know where you are exactly?" Not waiting for a reply, I continue. "You're in my world. I own so much land they'll never find your body or your car. I could make you disappear, like that." I say, snapping my fingers. "You try anything with Harp, I'll bury you. Literally."