Chapter 49: We’re Still Here

The guys were at the diner discussing some incredibly odd goings on that they had experienced with Luke and Caitlin.

“Did you guys see either one of the dynamic duo, Luke and Caitlin, this week?” Ricky started off the conversation.

“Odd occurrences indeed with both, but separately, almost stalking,” Alex shared his perspective.

“In every exclusive club I went to I saw Caitlin. She didn’t wave or say ‘hi’ or anything, she just made eye contact then stared me down for a few minutes. I felt very uncomfortable. It wasn’t sexy or anything, just intense,” Don commented, “And for me to get freaked out by a woman at a club, that’s saying a lot.”

“I got the intensity from her at the cafe at 6 a.m. She came in wearing sunglasses, but once she found me in line, I got the icy cold, sunglasses free, almost angry, ‘why not me’ stare down. Absolutely wicked,” Alex said.

“Well, I saw her lurking around the law firm and so did my assistant. One time in the break room; another time in the firm’s law library; then standing in the hall, just outside my office door, there she was too.”

“It wasn’t anything I’d call security about except maybe trespassing where she had no right to be, but my prior knowledge of who she was would make me suspicious having this strange woman show up and then walk around without saying or doing anything else illegal. After all, I’m not the only attorney there, she could have been waiting for or visiting someone else. Or even having a job interview,” Ricky concluded.

“Did anybody hear from that fool of an ex-boyfriend of hers?” Don asked.

“I did,” Ricky said.

“Me too. He mailed me a letter with all different letters cut out from a magazine, like one of those 20th century ransom letters,” Alex did not like strangers, especially crazy, violent ones like Luke, knowing where or how to contact him. But in the information age of the internet, anybody could find anything.

“Mine came using an old fashioned typewriter, not even electric. I could see the imprints of the different typed letters pushing through the heavy, off white stationery he used,” Ricky explained.

“I got a cryptic text,” Don said, looking off into space, still visibly affected by what Laura’s ex had sent.

“What did it say? What did it say?” The other guys demanded seriously, curious about the new depths to which he would sink even to the point of trying to intimidate the guys. His scare tactics had fallen under the category of extremely creepy, but he had to do some research to get to Don.

“I’m on the way to getting my billions even if I have to put an end to yours, Alimony Party-Boy.”

“Whaaaat? Are you for real??? How did he know about Don’s divorce settlement?” Alex asked.

“CAITLIN!” They all shouted, knowing that Luke could not find that kind of information on his own.

“She definitely used her research skills to give him the upper hand with Don.”

“Aw man. It hurt to have someone who means me harm know something like that. I’m not proud of being a grown man getting a sizable allowance from his ex-wife, but that’s how it worked out.”

“She was old money and I was no money...”

“Let’s change the subject,” Don Juan requested quietly.

“Anybody thinking of going to Laura’s big concert with the string quartet? She sent me a ticket in the mail. I guess she only sent one because she did not figure that I could hook up with someone new so soon and provide a stellar date thanks to her.”

Alex knew that before women knew of his wealth and profession, few would give him the time of day. Now his lovely Laura was putting him in the same category. Not quite a reject, but no lady’s man like his friends.

“Well, guys I basically decided I did not want any negative press or a three man fight live streaming. This is especially true now, with her moment in the limelight. I seriously doubt that she would want us to have a fight at another one of her performances. I pass,” Ricky explained.

“You make some sharp but true points. I guess I’m out, too,” Don cautiously decided.

“Right,” Alex agreed, wondering if things among all four of them could ever resolve themselves. How he wished he could write a happy ending for them. He pondered about their dilemma.

If they were going to pull themselves out of the competition for dating, couldn’t they also rewrite themselves simply as four good, tremendously close, lifelong friends? He had done it and agreed with Laura that they were soulmates.

But he knew that he’d have to put in as much time and energy keeping a four person friendship going as he had to do when she was his love interest, if not more. They already had a habitual ritual. He met the guys on Saturdays and hung out.

Would they be willing to invite Laura in and make it no longer just the guys? Would he go out with her alone as strictly platonic friends? Could this work with someone he had been intimate with? All of these questions were spinning in his head.

Maybe he could surprise them all by going alone, just to represent the guys and wish her well. They had decided and closed the door. Alex just wanted to keep that door slightly open so he could come through as the one who cared for her no matter what and always would. If that touched her heart in a special way, so be it.