Page 49 of Scooter's Endgame
“Hi. So, um – I’m done with what I needed to do, and I was wondering if you’d like to join me for dinner to celebrate today’s victory.”
“That’s sounds great. What time did you have in mind?”
“Now, if you want.”
“Give me a few and I’ll be over.”
“Sure thing. See you then.”
Hanging up, I toss my phone on the counter and take some calming breaths to slow my pounding heart down. My plan’s in motion, and all I can do now is pray it doesn’t blow up in my face.
24
SCOOTER
I’ve barely stopped and engaged the parking brake when Kathleen’s reaching for the door handle.
“Thanks a million for – well, everything. I have to dash, so I’ll see you later, okay?” Surprisingly, she leans over and drops a quick kiss on my cheek, then hops out of the vehicle. Before she closes the door though, she leans back in and asks, “Do you have plans for this evening, by the way?”
“No, I don’t,” I reply.
“Excellent. I have something I need to do right now, but I was wondering if you wanted to hang out after.”
I don’t even need to think about my response. “Yeah, I’d love that.”
Too damn right I want to. Woman, I’d do pretty much anything to spend time with you. I just don’t know how to tell you. Yet. But I’ll figure it out.
“Great. I’ll see you later then.” The smile she graces me with as she closes her door has my heart squeezing and my dick hardening. With just a look or a smile, this woman has me hard and ready to rock at a moment’s notice. Problem is, it’s a case of “all dressed up and nowhere to go.”
One thing that’s become abundantly clear during these last few days especially is that I want Kathleen and Luke in my life. I have no idea exactly how she feels about me, but the only way to find out is to take the bull by the horns, as the old cliché goes, and make a move. With all the crap with Gonzo behind us, I fully intend on making my play.
So I guess I’ll find out, one way or the other.
I have a few hours to kill – time enough to give some thought to how I’m going to make that move. A quick shower while I wait sounds like a solid plan. The idea of washing the day’s bullshit away appeals immensely.
I’m just done drying off when my cell phone rings. “Archer.”
“Hey, Scooter. How’s it going?” Knight asks.
“Hey Boss. It’s all over – Tex pulled it off. Kathleen got the kid and Gonzo will likely get time for assault – he tried to attack Tex in the courtroom.”
“Excellent news. The guys and I are just sorry we couldn’t be there to support you both, but with this mission coming up, there’s still some stuff we need to nail down.”
“Sorry, I know this was really shitty timing. I’ll report back in the morning.”
“Bullshit. It’s weekend anyways, so you may as well enjoy the day off. Monday is early enough. One extra day’s not going to make any difference. And you know we understand your need to support Kathleen, since she’s got no one else to do it.”
“Still, I appreciate it.”
“You know I’ll always have your back, bud. So sole custody, huh?” Knight’s laugh is rich and deep with amusement.
“Yeah. After Tex got through ripping his house of cards to shreds, the judge wanted to know if it was true. The dickhead got caught lying red handed, and he still tried to bullshit his way out of it. But she was having none of it.
“And wouldn’t you know it, for once he was actually smart enough to tell the truth, to own up to his lies. I think she’d have locked him up for perjury if she could have. She was hopping mad.”
“Man, I’m sorry I missed it. But I’m glad she got custody of the boy.”
“Yeah, sole custody sure has a nice ring to it.”
