Sibling Rivalry

Chapter Sixteen-1

Chapter Sixteen

KARLA HATED TO admit it, but she actually had a good time last night. She went with the intention of stealing her sister’s love interest but wound up enjoying just being there in everyone’s company, instead. She even enjoyed little Abigail, and Karla wasn’t overly fond of children. It wasn’t that she really hated children. She just didn’t like having to watch everything she said or how she behaved. She never knew what would come out of her mouth and quite often it spewed forth before she could think better of saying it. Most often, it was some off-color comment or a slutty remark she thought was funny as it bounced around in her head. It was funny when it came out, too, but it wasn’t always appropriate for those under a certain age. She preferred being uncensored.

Of course, the fact that she had a good time last night meant that she woke up that morning feeling somewhat guilty for her motives and behavior. She felt the need to make it up to her sister and she knew just the way to do it. As soon as Aimee left for work, Karla took a quick shower, forced her way into her tightest pair of shorts and squeezed into her red tank top, the one that pushed her breasts up and out of the neckline. She slipped into some sandals, the only truly comfortable thing she wore, and headed out the door. If things went as she hoped, she would have two tickets in her hands within the hour for the Decades of Rock concerts Aimee sacrificed in order to get her car fixed. The tickets should go a long way in garnering Karla some goodwill with her sister. At least, that was the hope and plan. So far, her plans were not going according to schedule.

Lee Emerson worked at Classic 105.9, Home of Rock’s Greatest Hits. Karla met him at an event a couple of years back at the community college during an enrollment push and had kept him in her pocket for those special favors that only a disc jockey could provide. She didn’t use him often, but he was able to hook her up a few times with some great concerts in her area, even backstage passes on occasion. Of course, she was his hook up a few times, as well. She counted on his help now.

Monday dawned bright and beautiful. Not a cloud in the sky and most of the nine-to-fivers were already settled behind their desks and out of her way. She preferred quiet roads and crowded bars. The radio station was located in the middle of an old, abandoned mall, now filled with medical offices and women’s clubs. Their offices took up one small section between Smile Better Dental and the recruiting offices for each of the military branches. As Karla walked through the mall, she at least had buff men in uniform to gander at and drool over. It was enough to get her juices started that morning.

Sandy sat perched behind the desk, answering phones and fetching coffee. She smiled at Karla as she walked in and leaned over the giant white counter that separated the receptionist from the rest of the world. Tucking a strand of her ash-blond hair behind her right ear, she stood up, giving Karla a great view of her perky breasts surrounded by the silk fabric of her blouse. She smiled back at the girl, remembering what those breasts felt like without the material.

“Must be my lucky day,” Sandy said, her eyes scanning up and down Karla’s body. “You’re looking good as always.”

Karla leaned on the counter, her arms stacked on top of each other, hands on elbows. “You’re looking pretty sexy yourself. I’m starting at Sand Dune tonight. You should stop by and let me buy you a drink.”

Sandy popped her eyebrows up. “Now that sounds promising. What brings you by today?”

“I need Lee to save my ass. Is he around?”

Sandy gestured toward a door behind her with her head. “Same office. Help yourself. He’ll enjoy the surprise. I know I did.”

Karla patted the top of the desk. “Thanks. And seriously, stop by for a drink. My Monday night could use some excitement.”

Sandy grinned at her as Karla circled the desk and headed for the door. “I can provide some, I’m sure.”

The radio booths were in the back of the station with the front being reserved for conference rooms and offices. The carpet was a dingy beige, which should have been replaced in the seventies, and the lighting was dim, giving the hallway a creepy, horror film vibe. They really needed to either move or give the place an overhaul, but neither would happen anytime soon. Classic 105 needed an influx of cash and listeners, which is why they sponsored the Decades of Rock that weekend. Bring the live music to the people and perhaps they would start tuning in.

Lee had been with the station through all three of its new owners over the past decade and a half, sticking it out even during its sugary love song phase. He was the face of Classic 105, but he did not look like the stereotypical rocker. He was all business with his crew cut hairstyle and his shirt and ties. It was one of the things that drew Karla to him, at first. He was not what she had expected.

“Hey, gorgeous,” she said, as she draped herself on the door frame, allowing her long dark tresses to cascade down her side and hang freely as she swayed a little.

Lee glanced up from some paperwork he was working on, smiled, and tossed his pen down on the desk. “Well, well, well. Look who crawled out from under a rock. How have you been?”

She stepped into his office, walking around the desk, and taking up a corner. “I was hoping I could sweet talk you into doing me a favor. I need to earn some brownie points with my sister.”

“What about my brownie points?”

Karla grinned, as she parted her legs slightly. “I can always help you with those.”

He reached out and patted her bare leg. “I bet you can, but I’m teasing. I’m actually in a real relationship now, believe it or not. I’m trying to do this one right.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” She looked at him like she didn’t believe him. “You’re too much like me. We hate being tied down to one person. We like the game and chase too much.”

He shrugged, his thin shoulders barely filling out his dress shirt. “What can I say? I’m trying something new.”

“Well, I hope it works out for you. I hope this doesn’t mean I’m going to have to look for another connection for all my backstage fun. I would hate to break in someone else.”

He laughed as he spun his desk chair around and faced her straight on. “Is that why you’re here? Let me guess. Decades of Rock tickets?”

“It’s for my sister. She just got her car fixed and now can’t afford the tickets. It would really help me out with her if you could come through for me. I’ll owe you one if this current love affair sinks.”

He gave her a short nod. “I just so happen to have a couple of tickets here that I can give you for old times’ sake. And I hope this relationship doesn’t tank on me.” He searched his desk, shuffling some files around, until he pulled out two black tickets with the words Decades of Rock emblazoned on them. “Here you go. Go earn those brownie points now.”

Karla bounced off the desk and leaned down, wasting a great cleavage shot, and kissed Lee on the cheek. “I really appreciate it.”

“Anytime.”

She waved at him as she left his office. Stepping out in the front reception area again, she reminded Sandy about coming out for drinks. “Come around closing time,” she said with a wink and then stepped back out into the mall courtyard, her chest thumping with the excitement she already imagined on Aimee’s face when she saw the tickets. “This is going to blow her mind.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Aimee stretched her arm out and took the manila folder that Ginny passed to her. “I need these filed, and copies sent over to the courthouse.”

“You got it,” Aimee said back to her. “And Bryan needs a consult on a case he’s working on. He’s in his office.”

Ginny nodded. “Any fun plans for lunch?”

“Not unless you think a cold turkey sandwich is fun. I think I’m just going to sit in the break room and catch up on some reading. My life has had too much drama in it lately.”

Ginny propped her elbows up on Aimee’s counter. “You still fighting with your sister?”

“I didn’t think I was, but then she pulled something last night that left me wondering what the hell was going on. She’s pissed at me for going out with Mitch, and so in order to get even, she’s trying to go out with Clint.”

“Maybe you two should double date and then halfway through the night switch partners. See who likes who better. Might be a fun way to end the evening. Give a whole new twist to the bonding twins’ thing.”

Aimee laughed as she shook her head. “I’m not sure I want to be with someone who just finished with my sister. That’s a little too close for comfort. I much prefer at least a few days in-between.”

“Haven’t you heard? It’s a whole new world out there. What was taboo is now an everyday thing.”

“Sorry. Still seems a little backwoods-like to me. I’ll pass.”

They both turned as the door opened and Karla walked in, smiling as if she was the cat who finally caught the canary. The two women looked back at each other with surprise at the coincidence of Karla showing up as they talked about her. They both chuckled a little and Karla gave them a curious glance.

“I feel like I just walked in on something I shouldn’t,” Karla said, as she stepped up beside Ginny. “You both look like you’re up to something.”

Aimee shook her head. “Not me. Her.”

“Me?” Ginny laughed as she tapped the counter and stepped back. “I need to go see what Bryan needs. Good to see you, Karla.”

They both watched her climb the stairs, Aimee laughing and Karla just shaking her head. “I still feel like the butt of a joke or something.”

“Ginny was just being naughty. What brings you by?”

Karla’s smile widened into that look she always got on Christmas morning as she pulled out of her back pocket two black tickets and waved them in front of Aimee’s face. “We are going to Decades of Rock this Friday night!”

Aimee sprang out of her seat, snatching the tickets out of her sister’s hands. “Get out of here! Where did you get these?” She couldn’t believe Karla pulled off getting the tickets. She couldn’t stop grinning as she looked at them. She thought for sure she wouldn’t be able to go this year.

Karla shrugged, her proud smile still plastered over her face. “I remembered I had a friend at Classic 105, the radio station that’s hosting the event. I stopped by this morning and asked if he could hook me up.” She gestured to the tickets in Aimee’s hands. “Obviously, he could. And before you go thinking I screwed him to get the tickets, I didn’t. He has a girlfriend now, so these may be the last tickets I get.”

Aimee just shook her head but refrained from saying anything. It didn’t matter. She was going to the concert. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you. This is awesome.”

“Hey, what are sisters for? Just remember one of those is mine.”

“No worries. We’ll go together.”

“I was hoping you would say that.” Karla gave a satisfied nod. “Now, I need to get. First day on the new job. Don’t wait up for me.”

“Good luck. I have no doubt you’re going to do great.”

“How can I not? Flirting with drunk men is right up my alley.”

Aimee watched her leave, the smile still decorating her face. Once the main door closed, she glanced back down at the tickets in her hand as she dropped into her seat. She couldn’t believe Karla had went out of her way to get them. With the way the two of them were at each other’s throats, she didn’t think she would see her sister do anything nice for a long time. She didn’t feel like being nice, that was for sure. She felt like she was competing with Karla for the attention of the men. Even with the rule they made, it wasn’t a new feeling. Aimee always felt as if she was competing.