Page 10 of Four of Hearts

I had turned fifty-one just a few months ago, and in my life, I’ve had many beautiful girls. None had ever struck me quite like Lola had.

And the other three agreed.

I went to the apartment in which the party had taken place last weekend, and I knocked at the door and waited for it to open.

We had yet to get to know this new neighbor, and I figured this was a good time to introduce myself.

The door swung open, and the guy looked stunned to find me standing there.

“Hey,” I said with a nod.

“Hey, man.” He sounded and looked tired. He also looked like he just came back from work. His clothes were dirty, and there was what looked like dried cement on his face.

“Thought I’d come say hello to our new neighbor. I’m Kline. I live upstairs,” I told him, holding out my hand. I wasn’t usually this nice, but I wanted to get some information out of him, and I definitely couldn’t get any by being rude.

He shook my hand, smiling in a friendly manner. “Good to meet you, Kline. I’m Benson.”

“Pleasure. Listen, you had a party last weekend. Were those all your friends or did you let everyone just invite random people?”

He looked horrified all of a sudden. He thought I was here to tell him that they were too loud. They weren’t, really. We weren’t even here, and when we came back from The Hot Spot, they were all gone already.

“Yeah, uh…no, they were mostly my friends. I’m sorry if the music was too loud. I’ll keep it down next time.”

“That’s not why I’m here, kid.”

He wasn’t a kid. He must’ve been almost thirty.

“Okay, uh…”

“There was a girl in the elevator. Lola. Is she a good friend of yours?”

“Lola? Shit, yes…she’s a really good friend of mine. Have known her most my life. Why?”

Perfect. So she’d come around often.

“I had a quick chat with her. Forgot to properly introduce myself to her. Will she be around this weekend? Are you throwing another party?”

Benson looked confused, but he wasn’t sending me away, which was good. “I will, yes. On Saturday.”

“Mind if the guys and I join? We can bring beer.”

“Uh, for sure! Sounds great, man. Thanks.”

I gave him a nod. “Perfect. See you around. Have a good night.”

“You too.”

He closed the door, and I made my way further downstairs to get to the basement where we stored cases of beer and also snacks and canned food.

We had another show in two days, and while I hoped to see her again before that to ask if she wanted to come see us, I didn’t want to be a creep and ask Benson for her number.

I’d see her on Saturday.

That I was sure of.

Chapter 6

BENNETT

---