Ride the Sunset

Be Careful

Alastair

“So, what’s the deal with Bradley?” I asked as I gazed down at Asher.

“It’s a bit of a long story,” Naomi admitted softly as she cooed down at her precious daughter. Before I could push her into telling me, Naomi continued. “Basically, his mother filled his head with a bunch of s**t. Whether it’s true or not is actually beside the point. So…when we reached out to him, he wasn’t exactly happy to hear from us. The more we talked, the more he felt like someone was lying to him. Bradley told us that he is pretty close to his mother, and she’s a gold digger…basically, he said that the more we talked, the more he wanted to protect us from her,”

“But he still showed up,” I pointed out.

“Well, according to him, he felt like he owed it to himself…but…I don’t know, Alastair, I don’t think he quite fits in,” she said, and I frowned. Of course, I had my own opinion about that, but I kept my mouth shut. After the whole incident with Damon, it was better I didn’t say anything. “It’s like…everything he says sounds just about perfect, but his body language? I mean…”

“Why?” I couldn’t help but ask curiously.

“Like…when he came in with my mom to see the twins, he said all the right things, but he couldn’t make eye contact with me or Erik. Not only that, but he didn’t want to hold them or anything. In fact, he barely looked at them. It was…weird,”

“I’d say,” I muttered as I turned my full attention back to the little boy in my arms. “They are so cute,”

“When they are asleep,” Naomi muttered, and I chuckled softly. “You get to go home,” she added.

“Regrets already, babe?” I teased, but the look on my bestie's face told me everything. “You are so smitten. I bet these two are going to have you wrapped around their pinkies in no time,”

“Probably. I mean, it’s been one hell of a ride so far…Erik is already talking about how soon we can try for more,” she revealed, and this time when I laughed, Asher’s little eyes opened. I quickly shut my mouth as I gazed down at him. He opened his mouth and I waited for the loud wail that was sure to follow. When it turned out to be a tiny yawn, I breathed out in relief, especially when his eyes drifted closed.

“How are things with you and Erik now?” I asked softly.

“Good,” Naomi answered with a loving, dazed look. I felt a pang of jealousy, but I quickly shoved it aside. “How is Jacob?” Naomi then asked and I grunted in response. “I just don’t get it. We can all see that he likes you,”

“Right?”

“He never explained why?” she pushed, and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. We have already discussed this. More than we should have, and I wasn’t in the mood to go through it again.

“It’s time for me to move on,” I stated as I carefully stood up and placed Asher inside his cot. I made sure he was comfortable before I sat back down and took out my phone. “I downloaded this app,”

“What type of app?” she asked as she looked over. I held out my phone and Naomi frowned as she read the screen. “Love Connect?”

“I mean, it sounds cliché and all…but…” I sighed as I slipped my phone back into my pocket. “It’s the only app that isn’t all about s*x and hooking up,” I explained. “It’s about finding a partner,”

“Oh…well, I mean…and have you met anyone off the app yet?” Naomi questioned curiously and I felt myself blush.

“I’ve only been on the app for two days,” I admitted. When I didn’t say anything else, Naomi leaned over carefully and swatted my leg. “Fine, fine, yes, I met someone. I mean, we haven’t met in person yet, and I have no idea how she looks, but we’ve been chatting,” I knew that Naomi would ask me a bunch of questions, so before she could, I gave her all of the information. “She’s from Nuport. Her name is Sandy and she’s twenty-three,”

“What does she do?”

“She’s studying to be a defensive lawyer,” the second I revealed that tidbit of information, Naomi scrunched her nose in disgust. “I know, I had the same reaction but…she’s really sweet,”

“Lawyers can be sweet, but they are so…” her voice trailed off and I smiled.

“Stuffy,” I offered, and she nodded. Neither of us liked those types of people, but Sandy didn’t seem stuffy.

“So, when are you officially going to meet her?” Naomi asked.

“We have a date on Friday…it’s just coffee,” I said as I watched Naomi carefully place Abigail in her cot. Naomi made sure the baby monitor was on and working before she led me out of the nursery and into the living room.

“Just be careful,” she warned, and I nodded. “Be safe, be aware, and don’t leave your food or drink unattended at any point,”

“And since we are on that topic…you need to be careful of Bradley,” I stated firmly. Naomi immediately nodded. “I mean it, babe. Do not fall for whatever tricks he has up his sleeve,”

“We won’t. Trust me. Erik already warned me enough for me to be pretty paranoid about it,” she said, and I nodded. Knowing Erik, he probably had a tracker or something for her. Not that I could blame him. “But still, just be careful, especially since you are going on this date blind,”

“It is a blind date,” I pointed out. Naomi rolled her eyes just as Corey and Jacob came into the living room. I had completely forgotten that the pair were here to see Erik. How much had they heard?

“Who is going on a blind date?” Corey asked as he looked at me. “I mean, I have to assume it’s you, since Naomi here is married,” he remarked with a smirk. I avoided looking at Jacob as I glared at Corey.

“You are not funny,”