Page 23 (1/2)

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The sun is just beginning to set once I decide to pack up and head out, so it’s not too blinding Blondie’s is just a few feet away My feet kick up little bits of sand as I walk down the familiar beach withday tomorrow is for me November first marks the day the announcement of both takeovers will be made, but more important, shares of Plan B will be available to the public It’s a huge financial risk as well as an excellent opportunity for reet Noel

He bea I haven’t spent the whole day out on her inteeth and pride at the same time

"I didn’t expect to still see you in here this late Faith isn’t going to be happy if you miss dinner" I wink at hi at his watch

I shrug as I lean ainst the wall "The sun’s just about down, so it must be close to your dinnertime"

"Fuck Come home with me Have dinner with us Then Faith can’t be pissed off at ht Sorry, you’re on your own"

"Da"

I just shake e and pulls out two cold ones He tosses me one and I catch it but shake my head no and place the can on the counter

"Don’t be a fking pansy ass" But Noel says it with a grin

"I’ll give you pansy ass," I tell hi on the wall I skateboarded all the tiive this bad boy a spin around the shop worth h my body certainly helps When I stop, I flip the end and push it his way "Your turn"

His hands go up surrender-style, as he shakes his head no, then strides over to lock the front door

"Coht the coolest thing about long boards is that you could even sell theain but this tiives the kids in his shop who come to work for hier As he closes the place down, I pullintome leave my shit here I still haven’t had a rack put onanytime, you know that And, Ben, Faith would really love to see you"

I nod "I’ll call you next week I uest"

"Oh yeah? You decided to chase soirl?" he asks

"You knohat, Noel, I did"

He slaps his hand on my shoulder "That’s the way, boy"

We both walk out the back door together and as he hops in his truck he yells, "Don’t forget to call ood-bye "I won’t"

• • •

The shiny black paint ofoff the reflection of the streetlights Its low silhouette and sleek shape are all that reht I can’t stifle reen helmet with sparkles enaht of where her car was parked earlier and reain, but for some reason it felt different this time--even better if that’s possible The next few hours can’t fly by fast enough I pull h my short list of contacts until I find her name--then I send her a quick text

I’ll pick you up I don’t want you driving back here tonight so late