Sweet Little Lies

Ch. 8 Tempers

I glare at Ajax as I sit back down at the table. Dan bumps my shoulder with his and I glance at him. "What? You want to embarrass me too? Stand in line. I think Ajax's going for the all time record."
"Don't be so dramatic. He likes you." After looking at my confused face he continues. "I probably shouldn't have said anything but I pity the poor idiot. Just let him down easy, don't string him along."
"You don't care that he likes me?" I ask, shocked that he'd not only be aware but would allow Ajax's interest in me. The old Dan would've never let this happen.
"I've known he's liked you for awhile. I'm only okay with it because it will never happen." He says, pointedly. His eyes narrow on mine as he continues. "He's been like a brother to you. I've tried to tell him you don't think of him like that, but he won't listen."
Squinting I look at him, angling my head and trying to figure out who this man sitting next to me is. "Are you my brother? You look like him, but you're not acting like him." I tease.
He shifts uncomfortably and turns away, clearly wanting this topic to drop. "Alright, enough of this talk." He states, turning to look at the rest of the table he holds up his glass to make a toast. "To growing up and coming home!" He says, raising his voice only slightly.
"Cheers!" I raise my glass and clink glasses with everyone. I sip my drink feeling more aware of Ajax next to me. If Dan is right then Ajax has always liked me, it wasn't just one sided. Feeling him watching me I give him a 'what?' look and turn to Kira.
"How's it going with the deputy?" I ask, hoping to keep my mind busy with anything other then the fact that Ajax likes me and Dan believes I have no interest in his best friend.
"He's the sheriff." She corrects.."and its going nowhere." She replies, tearing up a napkin. "Oh well, moving on."
"I thought you really liked him?"
"Nah, he was just something new and shiny. I'm over it."
"Its been five days." I remind her, how do you get over someone in five days?
She shrugs. "I'm not one to linger too long or waste my energy."
"Well, his loss. Who's the next target?" I tease, knowing that she's not the type of girl to be constantly looking for a man. Kira won't chase a man down if he has no interest in her and she won't be rushing to another man to make herself feel "worthy" of attention. I've always loved her independent spirit. She makes her own happiness, her own money and she relies on herself for everything.
"Bob." She replies, easily.
"Bob?" I question, having no clue who shes talking about and racking my brain to think of all the Bob's I've known.
"Battery- operated- boyfriend." She clarifies.
I laugh, hearing Ajax and Dan join me. "Oh, that B-O-B. Please, don't ever introduce us."
"I'm not listening to this." Clive states, standing up and walking away.
"I have to agree. Keep the nasty stuff to yourself, please." Clint grumbles, standing up and walking towards the bar.
"Way to clear the table." I chuckle.
"They could never take a joke." She replies, shaking her head sadly.
"Well, we thought it was funny." I respond, finishing the last of my drink. We make small talk until another drink is put in front of me. "Thanks, Clive."
"You're welcome." He says, sitting back down at the table. "Now, can we move on from hearing about my sister and her 'toys'. I don't need nightmares tonight."
We have fun catching up, it's good to know not everything has changed since high school and before I know it the bar is closing.
"I don't think I'm going to be up for fishing tomorrow." I state as we all walk out of the bar.
"Too bad. You're coming, you already said you would." Ajax reminds me. He's walking close to me but he hasn't touched me, which I find odd. I watch Dan walk to his truck without saying, 'goodbye'. Typical Dan, I think to myself shaking my head.
After giving Kira, Clint and Clive goodbye hugs we start towards Ajax's truck. He opens the door for me and helps me in without saying a word. Something is definitely wrong with Ajax, but I don't have the energy to go digging. If he wants to tell me what's wrong then fine, but I'm not asking any questions.
I watch as he starts the truck and backs out of the parking space. When we're headed toward The West End Ranch he finally speaks. "I had fun." He says, but he doesn't look happy.
Cautiously I respond, "Me too. I've missed everyone."
My call phone suddenly rings startling me. I dig in my purse and bring it out. Smiling when I see it's my friend Remmy from back in Flaggstaff. "Hello," I say and before he can respond I quickly add, "I know I'm horrible! I suck as a friend, but I've been really busy! I was going to call you tomorrow! I swear don't be mad."
"Well, at least you're aware of your failings. You better not do it again." He replies seriously, but I can hear the smile in his voice.
"I have so much to tell you. I didn't want to call until I had enough time to say everything I have to say." I explain, truthfully. With the living situations changed, my employer changed and my new job. I knew It'd be a long conversation.
"Just tell me the simple stuff for now." He responds, wanting to talk.
"Everything's the same really. My parents and brother are great. My mom had a coming home party for me." I hiss distastefully.
He chuckles. "I really do have to meet her. She sounds amazing."
I snort knowing Remmy just wants to meet the woman who refuses to acknowledge my distaste for parties. Since she wasn't around Remmy took it upon himself to drag me to parties and throw me birthday parties for the past two years. Although, I hate to admit it I always had fun. Remmy is the type that can have fun anywhere at anytime, and his enthusiasm is contagious. "You'd get along great." I reply, smiling.
"I still can't believe you're gone. I have to do everything alone now. It's awful." He states, sounding genuinely sad.
"You could get an actual girlfriend." I suggest, like I have a million times before.
"I have a better idea. Come home!" He yells.
I laugh. "I miss you, too. But this is my home." I say, quietly.
"'Home is where you make it.'"
"Are you really quoting a bumper sticker to me?"
"Actually, I was quoting Joe Dirt. It's a valuable life lesson. He traveled across America looking for "home". When it was where he started, with his lady love."
"So you're saying, I'm Joe Dirt the white trash idiot and you're his hot friend?" I ask, remembering the movie.
"Have you see me in a pair of cut-off shorts? I'd make even you melt." He brags.
"I'd die of laughter before I would melt." I correct.
He responds but my phone starts losing signal, all I can hear is Remmy cutting in and out. So I yell, hoping he can hear me, "I'll call you tomorrow night, you're breaking up!"
I end the phone call smiling to myself. It feels good to be missed. My smile slips a little, I know my parents missed me, I can't expect them to want me to move back in but it still hurts.
"Who was that?" Ajax questions, an edge to his voice.
"My friend from Flagstaff, Remmy." I answer, not sure if I mentioned Remmy or not.
"It sounded like a man." He says, a bitterness to his voice.
Looking at him I can see he's confused and angry. His eyes meet mine before they go back to the road and his hands grip the steering wheel even tighter as he waits for my response.
"Well, I'm sure Remmy will be happy to know he does indeed, 'sound like a man'."
"So your friend is a guy?" He questions, somehow needing more clarification.
"Yes." I respond slowly like he's a child.
I wait for him to say something else but he doesn't, so I look back to the road as well. A couple minutes pass and I hear him mumble under his breath, "He better be gay."
Rolling my eyes I'm glad to respond. "Nope, he's straight."
Clearing his throat he then turns to me, "So, tell me about him."
Surprised I sit up straight. "You want to know about, Remmy?"
"Yes." He replies slowly, mocking how I sounded earlier.
"Remmy is my best friend aside from Kira. I would spend most holidays with him and his family. He's a great guy. What exactly would you like to know about him?"
Ajax grips the wheel over and over again. "He's just a friend?" He finally asks, every word sounding like it's being ripped out of him. I smirk, I can't help it.
"No, not just a friend." I reply, looking out at the road. I feel his eyes linger on my face and finally add, " he's my best friend."
#### Sorry it took so long....I'll try to start updating regularly!##