Don't Mix Pleasure with Business

33. Faux Fur

Alexander Marino

11:39pm

"Wow." Ben said as he plopped down on the couch with a bag of chips . "I can't believe she came back."

"Yeah, I know. I was really shocked." I took a sip of my beer and sat it back on the coffee table.

"How did you feel ... when you saw her?" I bit my lip. I grabbed my beer again and took another sip. I kept it in my hand this time. I can't say it. "You never drink beer. Not unles-"

"I know," I paused, "I couldn't take my eyes off of her. She looked really good. Of course I ... felt some type of way." He nodded.

"Did you tell Megan?" He asked. I pulled my lips into a straight line and I shook my head. He nodded. "Maybe it's best you don't say anything." I took a sip again.

"I would never hurt Megan. She's been too good to me." He nodded his head while shoving a bunch of chips in his mouth.

"You damn right she's too good for you!" He said as a couple chips fell out of his mouth and onto my couch. I narrowed my eyes at him and he sighed. "I'm going to pick it up!" I looked away from him and I remembered something.

"I told her I love her."

"You said what?" He asked with his mouth open.

"You heard me the first time." I scoffed and he shifted in his seat.

"You've got to be kidding me."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.

"Are you serious this time? Or are you just doing this so you can have something to throw in Marie's face?" I took a second and then shook my head.

"I don't care about her anymore. I wanted to give Megan the reassurance that she needed. Marie is the past." He sighed and then grabbed another handful of chips.

"Wow. I'm proud of you bro." I rolled my eyes. "No seriously," he muttered, "I didn't think she was going to break you down but I've really seen a change in you that I've never seen before. You've been happy again." I nodded my head and smiled a little.

"Yeah, I know. I've felt-" my phone started ringing and Megan's name was on the screen. I smiled and picked it up.

"Hey Dolcezza,"

"Alex, you've gotta get here quick" I furrowed my eyebrows.

"What's wrong?" Ben made eye contact with me.

"The store!! Please just come now."

"I'm on my way."

I hung up the phone.

"What the hell is going on?" He asked standing from his spot and looking for his shoes.

"Something happened at the store. We gotta go."

**************

Ben and I pulled into a parking spot across the street from the store and we saw everyone standing outside. There were two cop cars with there lights on. My heart started beating faster. We got out of the car and rushed to the other side of the street. We slowed ourselves as we walked closer to the scene and started crunching glass shards under our shoes.

I looked up and I saw the words "Fur is Dead" spray painted on the only window left in the front of the store. There was yellow tape in front of it. I walked towards the door and a cop stopped me.

"This is an active crime scene sir."

"I work for this company, this is my father's store."

"Can I see some ID please." I huffed and rolled my eyes but pulled my wallet from my side pocket. I flashed him my ID and he waved his hand forward.