Page 87 of The Player's Obsession

Penelope turns to me, and I nod towards the bedroom. She leads the way. I close the door behind us.

“What does he want?” I ask.

“Hell if I know. I’m as surprised as you. No, I’m more than surprised, I’m scared. He’s becoming more and more aggressive. He’s in my apartment acting like he owns the place, and Freddy makes my skin crawl.”

“Does he have a history of violence?”

“Not that I know of. But I wouldn’t put anything past him when he needs a hit. I never let him stay with me because I don’t want to get sucked into supporting him forever. The law says if he keeps so much as a toothbrush here, he has squatter’s rights. I would have to evict him to get him out.”

“Smart thinking.”

She nods. “I’ve learned a few things over the years.”

“Fine, he’s here, his friend is here. Freddy doesn’t impress me as an upstanding citizen. I don’t trust either of them. I want you to gather whatever you need. You’re coming to live with me.”

“I would protest, but I don’t know what he’s capable of, and I don’t want your name linked to his name in some horrible headline.”

“I don’t want that either. Drugs and felons are two things I never want to be associated with my name. That would go viral in a heartbeat. Look, we need to get out of here.”

“Got it, just give me a minute. Thankfully my work computer is encrypted, so there’s no way he hacked it. I don’t know what’s gotten into him.” Her apologetic tone tells me we’re making the right decision. I’m sure she doesn’t want her employer to know about her drug-addicted brother. It’s the type of information that can destroy her career in pharmaceuticals. They can’t fire her just because her brother is a loser. No, they will build a case with unattainable performance improvement plans that lead to poor reviews. We all know companies clean house by using subjective and biased performance evaluations.

Penelope opens her closet, grabs a duffle bag, and throws random things from around the room inside it. I follow her to the dining room, and she packs up her laptop.

“Where ya going, sis?” Carlo seems concerned we’re not staying. All I can picture is him holding me for ransom or, worse, threatening to hurt Penelope unless I pay.

“I’m leaving. I want you out and don’t come back. The next time you show up here, I’ll call the cops. No doubt that will violate your parole.” She pauses a minute. “You didn’t get permission from your Parole Officer to come to Maine, did you? You skipped out of New York.”

“I told you I’m legit. If I go back to jail, I’ll have to serve years on the original sentence. Do you really think I would risk that?”

Penelope isn’t saying anything, and I’m unsure what she thinks. Carlo is definitely lying. He can’t even look at her. He keeps staring at the TV show playing in the background. He’s counting on Penelope to believe his lies, which is how she got into the financial hole she’s in now. It boils my blood that he is skillful at manipulation, and it’s an emotional trip. I hope she has the willpower to refuse his pleas for money. It’s better if she lives with me. I can be a buffer and a protector. Carlo can’t get to her in my gated community. I’m glad she agreed to come home with me. However, I have more than just her safety on my mind.

CHAPTER 34

Penelope

We’ve decided to take both cars and make our way through the parking lot.

“Now, aren’t you glad that I went with you?”

“Totally. It looks like those two are living in my apartment.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll call the cops and report a breaking and entering. If they are still there, the police might arrest both of them, and the rest will work itself out.” It’s still hard for me to accept that everything out of Carlo’s mouth is a lie.

I unlock my car and toss the laptop and duffle bag in the passenger seat. Oliver returns my wheeled luggage to the trunk of his car. He’s a good sport. Here he is, rescuing me again when I’m sure he has better things to do.

“I’m sorry about all this. I’ll work on getting an apartment in a secure building.”

“Don’t worry about it. My place has plenty of room, and it will be nice to have the company.”

Does he want me in his bed or a guest room?

What are we to each other? It took an epiphany for Melanie to realize she didn’t love Nathan. I bet she was trying to win back Oliver when they were talking outside the bar. I saw how she was batting her eyes and tossing her hair like a cat in heat. I mean, really. It’s standard high school behavior and yet even as adults we fall back on the same old patterns.

Here I thought Melanie would get married and move on. Now, I’m wondering how long it will take before she wants to cry on Oliver’s shoulder.

Following Oliver in my car to his mansion reminds me of our first meeting. We empty my trunk, and Oliver tells me to go in and make myself at home.

Oliver comes in with my bags and suggests I use his office when I need to work.

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