Almost Too Far (Almost Bad Boys #3) (10 page)

A guy in a white dress shirt, obnoxiously-pink tie, and a dark suit comes on the stage and adjusts the microphone. When he makes an announcement that Last Year’s Bikini is about to perform, a large group to our left makes such a racket, that I want to go there and murder at least half of them. A headache starts creeping behind my eyes, and I moan. Not another migraine! Not now!
 

The band’s technicians are on the stage, readying whatever they need to get ready. I urge Ali to walk faster past the stage, but her eyes are wide with excitement and she obviously isn’t interested in the search-and-rescue anymore. Ali’s a big girl, so making her move is not an easy task.
 

“Ali, don’t just stand here. Let’s go.” I pull her with no effect whatsoever. She’s solid, standing in front of the stage on feet firmly planted on the floor.
 

“Did you hear that? I love Last Year’s Bikini!” she exclaims.
 

I groan. That band is loud, abhorrent, and possesses less than a teaspoon of talent between the four of them.
 

“I need to go. Just stay here and text me if you need me. Don’t drink anything.” I shake my head and wince. That headache is coming on strong.
 

I turn to Libby and say, “Okay, let’s start with this section, and then move there and then there.” I point.
 

She nods. “Sure. Lead the way.”

TWELVE

 
“Freedom lies in being bold.”

Robert Frost

My phone vibrates in my pocket. I look at the screen and tell Libby, “Colin just got here.” I text him back to tell him where to find us.
 

When I look up, I see an interesting scene across the room. Svetlana’s sitting on Oleg’s shoulders, viewing the crowd. It’s such a bizarre sight that I chuckle. Oleg’s height combined with Svetlana’s makes their human tower peculiarly tall. She’s pointing with her manicured finger somewhere close to where I’m standing. I turn to follow her gaze and see… nothing.

I pull Libby by the arm to walk closer to where Svetlana spotted, hopefully, Helga. We maneuver between wandering patrons and the card tables. Before security can object, Oleg lowers Svetlana to the floor, and they disappear in the crowd.

“There she is!” Libby shouts.

“Where?” My eyes search the spot, and I see the red jacket on the back of a chair.
 

Helga’s sitting comfortably at one of the poker tables. Stella’s occupying the chair next to her. Libby and I hurry toward them.
 

“Helga!” Libby stands by her mother, hands on hips. She’s fuming. “Are you out of your mind?”

The old lady looks up and grins. “Libby!” She turns to the dealer, who’s shuffling the cards, and proudly announces, “This is my daughter, Libby. Pretty little thing, isn’t she?”

I almost snort at the
pretty little thing
, because if Libby could ever be described as such, now is not the time.

“Ah, what a coincidence!” Stella claps her hands. “We didn’t know we’d see you ladies here tonight.”

Uhm… what? Let me find my brain to digest that statement. Didn’t you just sneak out of the birthday party without saying a word to anyone? But before my headache-fogged brain comes even close to comprehending what the hell Stella’s trying to pull off, Libby stomps her foot.

“Honestly, Helga. Whatever has gotten into you? Why...” she looks apologetically at the dealer, who listens curiously, and says, “Excuse us, please.” She grasps Helga by the elbow and forces her to follow her away from the table.
 

I sit in the vacant chair next to grinning Stella and, crossing my legs and arms, say, “This was a hell of a plan, Stella.”

“I know, right? Helga wanted to go gambling. She hasn’t been to casino since Blake passed away. That’s her last ex. I told her: it’s her birthday and she’s supposed to have fun.”

Why I am not surprised? Stella’s just the type that would talk someone into a crazy adventure like this. I close my eyes and shake my head. “Why didn’t you say anything to anyone? Libby was about to call the police. She was scared that something really bad happened to Helga, and now she’s livid.”

Stella waves her hand dismissively. “Rubbish. Libby’s too uptight. She needs to let her hair down before it all turns gray. And she needs to get laid. That woman hasn’t seen a naked man in years.”

I sneak a peek at the card dealer. His lips are pressed into a tight line, and it’s evident he’s trying not to smile.
 

“I tried to hook her up with Roger from the country club, but no, not Libby. Roger’s a fine, fine man.” Stella takes a sip of her drink, and then her eyes open wider. She looks at me. “
You
would like him! He’s only fifty… oh, wait. You have a boyfriend. I forgot. Colin’s a good kid. A
very
good kid. I’ve known him since his birth.”

Speaking of Colin, he should be here already. I quickly text him: “We found Helga and Stella at Point Elliott. Where r u?”

“Stella,” I interrupt her monolog. “Were you planning on taking Helga back home tonight?”

“Not tonight. She wanted to stay at the hotel,” Stella says as if there is nothing wrong with the whole crazy plan.
 

“And when did you intend to call Libby or Colin?”

She shrugs. “Give the old lady a break. It’s her birthday, after all. Who knows how many she’s got left to celebrate?”

I know she’s right. Helga’s an adult, and if she wants to celebrate her birthday at a casino, she should be allowed to. But making Libby scared out of her wits with Helga’s disappearance wasn’t the right thing to do.
 

Jena, Caroline, and Svetlana find us and make haste in our direction. I see the Russian goons staying behind, curiously eyeing Stella. I bet they think she’s the run-away grandma. She’s got the right look to fit that profile.

I sigh. “Stella, I know you meant well, and I know Helga wants to have fun, but couldn’t you just let Libby know where you were heading?”

“Absolutely not. She would never let her go. Libby has it in her head that Helga is old and fragile, and that she needs to be protected at all cost.” She crosses her arms over her chest and looks at me defiantly.
 

“Hey, guys!” Jena hollers.
 

I realize I need to introduce Stella to my friends, and so I do. How many more introductions do I need to go through today?
 

“Cool place, isn’t it?” Stella reclines in her chair, stretching her arms behind her back. “Do you play poker, ladies?”

“I do.” Svetlana nods eagerly.
 

Caroline shrugs. “A bit.”

Jena grins. “I wanna play.”

“Sit down, everyone. We’ll have a round.” Stella points to the empty chairs. “I’ll be right back.” She stands up and whispers in my ear, “I’m going to the ladies room.”

“I’ll pass.” I get up. Svetlana takes my spot. She convinces Caroline to join her and Jena.
 

I watch the dealer distribute the cards. My mind wanders. I start realizing there are possible similarities between how Libby feels about her mother, and how Colin feels about me. Libby and Colin are overprotective because of their past life experiences. While Colin has the tragedy that took Faith away to blame, Libby probably suffers from insecurities inflicted upon her during her youth when Helga kept changing husbands and never provided a solid and stable family life for Libby.
 

I think I finally understand why Helga wanted to run off without obtaining Libby’s permission. She wanted to be in control like she used to be years earlier—to break free from all the restrictions her daughter imposes on her now, even if it is for just one evening of gaming.

When Stella returns, I tell her, “You’re right. Helga should celebrate her birthday the way she really wants to.”
 

Stella’s eyes open wide, and a big smile spreads on her face. “You’re cool, you know?”

I grin back at her. “Yeah. I know I am. But now we have Libby to deal with.”

“Leave it up to me.” She winks.

Stella walks over to where Helga and Libby are arguing. I hope this isn’t going to turn ugly.
 

Last Year’s Bikini announces their first song, and I cringe. This is going to be a gut-wrenching experience. I wish I had some earplugs. My best bet is to stay as far away from the speakers as possible
.
 

THIRTEEN

 
“There is no such thing as fun for the whole family.”
 

Jerry Seinfeld

I jump and gasp when I feel someone’s arms slide around me from the back, but I instantly recognize the touch and the dark, masculine scent that always melts my insides. Only Colin can make me feel this way. I turn and find his clear-blue gaze on me, one side of his mouth lightly quirked up. He kisses me quickly on the lips and says, “What am I going to do with you?”

“
You
will let me be who I am and not worry about my fragile side. I don’t have one.” I smirk.
 

He releases a breathy laugh. “I see the family meeting in session.” I know he means Helga, Libby, and Stella. Helga’s girlfriends are like family since they’ve been best friends for most of their lives.
 

“Yeah, something like that. You didn’t have a word with Helga yet?”

“Nope. Getting in the middle of those three feisty women can only bring trouble.”
 

“You finally talk some sense, Mr. Hampton.” I run my finger over his wide, t-shirt-clad chest.
 

He catches my hand and kisses it. “I would like to talk some sense into
you
, babe. But first, let me see my grandmas.” Entwining his fingers with mine, he pulls me with him toward Helga, Libby, and Stella.
 

They stop arguing when they see us. Helga looks up at Colin and opens her arms for a hug, “There’s my boy. I hope you’re not upset with this old lady for trying to have some birthday kicks.”

Colin wraps his arms around Helga and kisses the top of her head. “How can I ever be upset with you? But I was worried. Let’s just get you home now, okay?”

She doesn’t answer. Colin releases her from his arms and looks at her. “Deal?”

Jeez, Mr. Control Freak, give her a break. I roll my eyes, and of course, I have to intervene. “Colin, listen… it’s Helga’s birthday. Let her have some fun. Come on, don’t give her a hard time. We found her; we’re all here; she’s not going anywhere. We can just kinda move the party to the casino, right?”

Stella weaves her arm through mine and squeezes it. The Female Solidarity Club is alive, no matter the age. I pat her hand and wink at her. Helga grins at us, but Libby frowns, probably unsure what to think.
 

“Libby, I know this is upsetting but look at it this way,” I explain. “Helga always clears all her plans with you. And I agree this was inexcusable to just go off and worry you like that. Heck, we all were scared. But, I think, that was a spur-of-the-moment thing. She wanted to feel in control again. Am I right, Helga?”