Just a little bit of fun

Just a little bit of fun
Times like this always made me miss Jamie more than I wanted to admit. Maybe it was because he’d always been on my side whenever things got ugly. Maybe it was because being around him reminded me that I wasn’t just surviving, that I was finally living as the version of myself I actually liked. Or maybe it was simply because every corner of my mind was still warm from the night we had spent together before Macy called and everything spiraled.

Whatever the reason, this situation dragged me straight back to the life in LA I thought I had left behind forever. The toxic parts. The parts that taught me to hide, to pretend, to survive instead of to grow. And now here I was again, drowning in panic, wishing more than anything that I could just hear his voice.

But I didn’t even have his number.

We had rushed out of his place earlier today, barely having enough time to breathe much less exchange contact details. And back there, everyone literally visits everyone and that’s so much easier than calling. But now? Now I had no way to reach him, no way to update him on what I’d discovered, no way to tell him I’d arrived safely, no way to hear that low, calm voice that grounded me better than anything else.

I sighed and rubbed my temples, until an idea struck me.I quickly picked up my phone and dialed Ken’s number.

He picked up on the first ring.

“Hello, Ken speaking. Who are you?” he said dramatically.

I laughed because I knew exactly what he was doing.

“Hey, Ken… how are you doing? I know I should’ve called earlier on but—”

“I’m sorry, I don’t know who you are,” he interrupted loudly. “But if you don’t have something important to say, get your ass off my phone, motherfucker.”

I could hear the way he was trying so hard not to burst into laughter.

“I’m sorry, love,” I said, trying not to laugh myself. “I know leaving without telling you was shitty, but it all happened fast and I totall forgot. I know this doesn’t count as a reason, but I’m really am sorry.”

He didn’t reply, So I smiled and decided to pull out the big guns.

“Anyway… I already got you the new Chanel purse, but since you don’t want to talk to me, or atleast hear me out, I guess I’ll just have to give it to someone else.”

There was a beat of silence, then I heard a sharp throat-clear.

“Don’t mess with me, sweetheart. Are you serious or are you bluffing? You know I don’t joke with my Chanel purse, so you better not be pulling my legs right now, cause I swear to God if you are—”

“Relax dude, Jesus,” I snorted. “I’m serious and I know you don’t joke with them. But you’re going to have to forgive me if you want to get it.”

He groaned dramatically. “Arrgghh, you devil… fine. I forgive you. But you better not try this shit with me again or—”

“Yes, Ken,” I cut in, laughing. “I promise I won’t.”

“Yeah whatever,” he grumbled. “Okay, what’s up? What do you want? I’m all ears. Anything for my Chanel giver.”

I actually laughed so hard tears came out of my eyes.

“You’re so dramatic, Ken. Anyways, I need you to get someone’s number for me. Remember the guy from the art exhibition? The one who—”

“Yes Ofcourse i remember. He’s the guy you went home with yesterday,” he snickered.

I froze. “Wait, you saw that? Ken, I looked everywhere for you and Macy, and it felt like you both disappeared on me, so how did you see that?”

“Oh sweetheart,” he cackled. “I’ve got eyes and ears all over this town. So that was nothing but a piece of cake.”

I shook my head, smiling. “So… can you get me his number?”

“Of course I can. Don’t stresss about it, but it’s going to cost you.”

I raised a brow. “Cost me? Okay, shoot. What do you want?”

“Well,” he said, “I just texted you a list. Make sure you get me those when you’re coming. I heard LA is famous for them and I’m dying to have a taste.”

I glanced at my screen as the message popped up, then groaned. “Ken… you know you can easily get all these in Florida, right? Why must I buy them over here and travel with them? That’s going to be stressful.”

“Do you want the number or not, Aiden?” he asked flatly.

I exhaled, obviously defeated. “Fine. I’ll get them all for you, you criminal.”

He burst into laughter. “Good boy.”

“Anyways I gotta go now,” I said. “I’ll be expecting it.Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, love,” he replied and blew me a kiss before hanging up.

I fell back on the bed, still jet-lagged but relieved thst tomorrow hopefully, I’d hear Jamie’s voice again and maybe we’ll be able to get the proof we need to tackle this head on.

The next morning, during breakfast, my mom dropped a bombshell so casually I almost choked on my eggs.

“After breakfast, Aiden, we’re going to see Collins parents,” she said, sipping tea like she’d just commented on the weather. “I already got their address and called ahead, and they offered to be very cooperative.”

I coughed violently. “What? Mom, how did you get their address so fast? I mean were you up all night looking for that, because if I’m being honest, I wouldn’t be surprised if you were.”

She laughed. “No sir. I wasn’t up all night digging for information. That’s what amateurs do and I’m not one.”

I blinked. “Amateurs?”

She smiled proudly. “Yes amateurs. Why dig when you can have someone dig for you? I mean it saves time, and you don’t have to get your hands dirty.”

I clapped loudly and gave her a dramatic thumbs-up. “Wow Victoria, you’re truly the best. If no one has ever told you that before, allow me to do so today.”

She waved me away, amused. “Quickly finish up your breakfast and get dressed.”

Soon after, we were in the car, driving across the city for nearly two hours until we reached Collins’ family home an elegant, quiet neighborhood with flowering bushes lining the walkways. We took the elevator up, and when the door opened, a tall, slender woman in her fifties smiled warmly at us.

“Victoria! You’re welcome,” she said, ushering us inside.

“Thank you for having us, Mary,” my mom replied. “And my apologies for the short notice. It’s just really important otherwise we won’t be here.”

“It’s alright Victoria, I understand. And we’re more than happy to help. What will you both like to have? Water? Wine? Coffee perhaps?”

“Coffee, please,” I said.

“Water for me,” Mom added.

Mary disappeared into the kitchen, and at that exact moment, Collins stepped out from the hallway.

“What’s up, Aiden?” he said, giving me a quick handshake and a hug.

“Hey, man. It’s been a minute. You look good man,” I complimented.

“Thanks. You too”. Then he turned to my mom. “It’s nice to see you again, Miss Vale.”

Mary returned with the drinks, placing them neatly on coasters in front of us. 

“Will Mr. Williams be joining us?” my mom asked.

“I’m afraid not. He travelled for work and won’t be back until the end of the month.”

“That’s fine,”My mom said, folding her hands. “So, like I explained earlier, we would need Collins to make an appearance at a press conference. It would provide enough proof that the allegations labeled against Aiden isn’t true. He doesn’t need to answer any questions, we just need him to show up, that’s all. I mean, how can he be a murderer when the victim is still alive, right?” She chuckled.

“Of course Victoria,” Mary replied. “Just tell us when we need to be there, and we’ll make that happen.”

I turned to Collins. “Is there anything you would like us to know, anything at all? Maybe a conversation or did someone contact you recently asking questions about what happened?”

He hesitated, as if he was thinking. “Actually, yeah. A few months ago, a reporter came to see me, he said he wanted to know about what happened back then. He said it would help with an investigation he was currently working on.”

Mary’s eyes widened. “Collins! Why didn’t you tell me any of this?”

“Mom, it didn’t seem like a big deal, so I didn’t see the need too,” he shrugged. “I told him I had nothing to say to him, but he insisted on giving me his card in case I changed my mind.”

My eyes shot up, as I leaned closer “Do you still have it?”

“Yeah I do,” he said, pulling off his phone case. “I actually forgot to throw it out, so it’s been stuck back here ever since.”

He handed it to me. I looked at the card, then handed it to my mom.

“Thank you Collins,” I said. “This means a lot to me. If this person who approached you, happens to be the same person who made the leak, then we are a step closer to finding out the truth.”

“No problem, man,” Collins said with a smile. “I’m just glad to help out in any way that I can.”

Then Victoria stood up, picking up her bag. “Thank you for your time once again, Mary. I’ll keep in touch.” I nodded slightly and thanked her too, then we left. 

Barely half an hour after I drove off, my mom said casually. “Aiden, you can go home. I need to see Richard and update him on what we’ve gotten already.”

I smirked instantly. “Are you sure that’s the only reason you want to see him, Victoria?”

“Oh my God Aiden,” she groaned. “Please drop me off here.” She pointed to the side of the road. I pulled over, and she got out.

“Have fun, Victoria!” I called as she shut the door, shaking her head, smiling.

Then I drove off equally smiling, equally exhausted, but a little bit hopeful.