Redemption (Book 3) The Fixer Series (22 page)

“I have someone that I want you to meet.”

“Sure.”

“Tristan this is A.J., A.J. Kane, this is Tristan.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” I said shaking her tiny hand.

“The pleasure is all mine,” she said batting her pretty eyelashes at me.

“So, do you go to school at DU?  I haven’t seen you hanging around campus,” I said, shoving a
french fry in my mouth.

“No,” she replied.  I’ve been attending school at CU Boulder.  I’ve been studying English and Journalism.  I’m actually getting ready to take a position in New York after the holidays.”

“So did you graduate early or something?”  I asked.

She hung her head low.  “Not exactly.  The opportunity came and I feel like I need to take it.  Kind of like one of those once in a lifetime things.  My parents aren’t too happy about it, but I need to do what’s right for me.” 

“I get it.  I think it’s cool that you’re following your dreams.  Not many people do that anymore.  They just give in and conform to what society tells them is the right thing to do and then one day they wake up and all of their dreams are gone.  Kind of a shit situation to be in if you ask me.”

“Exactly!  Do you think you could explain that to my parents?” she asked laughing. 

“I’d be glad to, just as soon as I’m able to explain it to mine as well,” I said, taking another swig of my beer.  “Why don’t you have a seat,” I offered, pulling out the chair next to me. 

“Thanks,” she said and sat down. 

Damn, she was pretty. 

“You have an accent.  Where are you from?” she asked flashing her beautiful smile.

“I’m from a town just outside of Moscow.”

“That’s pretty cool.  I’ve always wanted to visit Russia.  Maybe one day I’ll get the opportunity to visit.  Will you will be going back after you finish your studies here?”

“I haven’t decided yet.  I kind of like it here.  Plus, it’s a lot warmer in Denver, than it is there,” I said, shifting in my seat a bit.

“I can imagine,” she said.  “I hear it gets really cold there.  Or at least that’s what I’ve read and seen in pictures.”

“Well it’s not too bad in the summer.  The average temperature is about nineteen degrees Celsius, which would equate to around sixty- seven degrees Fahrenheit,” I replied, plucking another french fry out of the basket.

“Holy crap!  That’s cold!  Do you go swimming there?”

I laughed, “We have indoor swimming pools.  Don’t you watch the Olympics?  They have Russian swimmers, don’t they?”

The bar erupted once again, another touchdown for the Broncos.  I didn’t care, though.  I was too enthralled in the little beauty sitting next to me. 

She took a slow sip of her water, blushing.  “I just wasn’t sure since all the pictures depict that it looks like Christmas year round.”

“Fair enough,” I said.  “When I first came here I didn’t know what to expect.  In Russia, we’re taught that American’s are evil.  When I stepped off the plane, I didn’t really know what to expect but the image of evil isn’t what I saw.  In fact, I saw quite the opposite.  I saw people who were just living their lives.  They were no different than any other Russian, so where they came up with that, I have no idea.  It always amazes me how afraid we all are of the unknown.  Every culture is beautiful with its own traditions,” I said, wondering where the hell all of this sentimental, gushy shit was coming from.

“I couldn’t agree more.  I think it’s because so many have closed their minds off that they only see what they want to see and believe what they want to hear.”

“So tell me A.J., how’d you know Christina?” I asked, changing the subject before I lost my man- card.

“I’ve known Christina since the second grade.  My family moved across the street from her the summer before we started school and we’ve been best friends ever since,” she said, twirling her hair in her fingers.  “I love her like a sister.  I’m going to miss her so much when I leave.”

“Yeah, Christina is definitely a one- of- a kind girl.  I know Dylan thinks the world of her.”

“She’s lucky to have him.  I wish I could find a guy like that.  There’s just not many of them out there and those that are, are already taken.”

“Do you have a boyfriend?” I asked, and then I suddenly wanted to kick my own ass. 

“No.  I was dating a guy for two years, but then I found out he was cheating on me and when I asked him why, he said it was because I had gotten fat.”

“Asshole,” I said, “You’re fine the way you are.”

“Thank you,” she said, blushing.

“It’s true A.J., and don’t let some asshole make you feel bad about yourself just because he can’t deal with his own fucking insecurities.”

“Tristan, you are one of the sweetest guys I’ve ever met.”

“What are you doing this Friday night?” I asked. 

“I don’t have any plans, why?”

“Well…Dylan’s parents are throwing this huge charity ball on Friday night and I was wondering if you would do me the honors of accompanying me as my date?”

“Seriously?  I’d love to!”

Dylan came up and placed his hand on my shoulder.

“Hey buddy, you about ready to go?  I’m ready to get out of here.”

“Yeah, just give me a few.  I’ll let you know when I’m ready,” I said.

“No problem.  I just want to get going before all of the crazy, drunk assholes get on the road.”

I turned toward A.J.  “Here’s my number, give me a call and I’ll give you the details for Friday,” I explained.

“Tristan, you can have my number too.  I know you’re not a crazy stalker that I just met in a bar for crying out loud.”

“Well I didn’t want to come across like a dog in heat; after all, you are my best friends, girlfriends, best friend.  And that just sounded like something straight out of a Jerry Springer show,” I said, shaking my head and laughing.

A.J laughed too.

We exchanged numbers and programmed them into each other’s phones.  I looked A.J. in the eyes, taking in her beauty knowing that I wouldn’t soon forget it. 

“How are you getting home?” I asked. 

“Actually, Christina and I are going out for a little bit.  You are welcome to come if you’d like,” she offered.

“Thanks for the invite, but I think I’ll head home with Dylan.  Be careful, there’s a lot of creeps out there,” I warned.

She giggled, “Tell me about it.”

“Call if you need a ride home.”

“Thanks Tristan, you’re the best,” she leaned over placing a soft kiss on my cheek.

I’m such a dumbass!  She probably thinks of me as a big brother, or something.  Fuck!  That’s just what I need.  The,
I only like you as a friend bullshit
.  I gestured to Dylan that I was ready to go and we said good-bye to the girls and headed to the truck.  It didn’t matter how close we had parked to the bar, it was still fucking cold. 

We finally reached the truck and I shivered until the seat’s heater turned on and warmed my ass and back.  Dylan was full of questions. 

“Well…what’d you think?” he asked.

“What do I think about what?” I replied, knowing damn well what he was referring to.

“Don’t be stupid Trist.  What do you think of A.J.?”

“She seems nice,” I said, not really wanting to discuss what I really thought about her.

“Nice?  You just think she’s
nice
?” he asked flabbergasted.

“Yeah, I mean…I spent all of two hours with her.  How much of an opinion can I have of her in that short of time really?”

“I guess if you say so man, but that chic is smoking hot!” he said, leaning over and adjusting the heating dials on the dashboard.

“She’s not bad, I wouldn’t turn her down,” I said.

Dylan turned, staring at me.  “So you
do
like her.  I knew it!”

“What’s not to like Dylan?  She’s a hot girl and she’s intelligent.  That’s as far as it goes.  Why are you acting like such a girl about this?  You normally don’t give a shit what I think about any chic,” I stared looking out the window.

“I guess you’re right man.  It’s just that she’s Christina’s friend and she really wanted you two to hook up, that’s all.”

“I get it D, I’ll admit it, she’s beautiful and she’s definitely my type, but as far as us hooking up, you can forget it.  We’re just friends.  Besides, she’s leaving and I don’t do long distance relationships.  They never work out,” I sat rubbing my hands together trying to get warm.

“Well if you like her then maybe you should give it a chance,” Dylan said as he pulled into our apartment complex. 

She was all I could think about as I walked up those stairs freezing my ass off and feeling the blast of heat as we opened the door.  I took my coat off and placed it over one of the kitchen
chairs before heading straight for my room.  My mood still sucked but thoughts of A.J. was rectifying that. 

I slipped out of my clothes and lay in bed until I succumbed to a deep sleep.  My dreams were filled of the beautiful, A.J. Kane. 

I was just getting to the good part in my dream when I heard a loud crash outside of my door.  I flew out of bed and opened my door to see what all of the clatter was about.  It was a very drunk Christina returning home from the club and Dylan was trying to get her to the bathroom before she blew chunks all over the hallway. 

I looked at the clock…it read
4 a.m.
  Then I wondered where A.J. was and if she was okay.  I walked back over toward the bed and picked my phone up off the nightstand to see if I had missed any calls.  None.  I assumed that they must have called Dylan and he went and picked them up from their
girls night out.
 

I sat at the edge of my bed and listened as Christina hurled in the bathroom.  I felt bad for Dylan always having to take care of that girl when she drank.  Christina was one of those girls who loved to party and drink, but couldn’t hold her liquor to save her life.  Two shots and the girl would be wasted beyond belief.  It was fun to watch because she was such a fun drunk and she would do the craziest shit after she’d had a few, but the aftermath wasn’t so fun to watch. 

I realized that Dylan had everything handled so I went back to bed.  I hoped I could go back to the same dream I was having before.  Instead, I tossed and turned thinking about places I could take A.J. while spending the week with her.  That’s if she wanted to spend the week with me.  I was making plans for a girl I didn’t even know, did that make me any better than her asshole ex-boyfriend?  Probably not. 

I really needed to focus on my shit, and stop living in la
la land.  I was acting like a complete girl and that just wasn’t me.  This chic was seriously messing with my head and I didn’t even know her. 

“Screw this,” I said, flinging my bedroom door open and heading to the kitchen for a glass of water.  As I rounded the corner, I saw the shadow of a silhouette leaning against the sink.  “What the…?” I said.  A.J. spun around and stared at me, dressed in only a t-shirt that was barely covering her belly.       

“You alright?” I asked.

“Ugh…no.  I’m not feeling so well,” she said. 

“Had a little too much to drink did you?” I asked, reaching for the ibuprofen.

“Yeah.  I think so.  I won’t be doing that again anytime soon,” she said as she leaned her head in the kitchen sink.  “Tristan, I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to wake you.  I would have used the bathroom, but Dylan has Christina in there.   I was fine when we got here but now…well…as you can see, I’m not doing so well.”

“Don’t worry about it A.J.  It happens to the best of us.  How did you ladies get home, anyway?  You never called,” I stated, feeling a little pissed off that she didn’t call.

“I didn’t want to bother you and I didn’t feel right calling you to come pick up our drunk asses after just meeting you.”

“I told you to call.  I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t mean it,” I said in a firm tone.

“It’s okay.  We took a cab here,” she explained.

“Well, I’m pissed that you didn’t call but I’m glad that you didn’t attempt to drive.  I’m sure Dylan is probably pissed, too.”

“Yeah, he wasn’t too happy to see us when we stumbled in front door giggling and bumping into everything.  Then Christina started blowing chunks everywhere and then he really got pissed.”

“Yeah, don’t worry about him, he’ll get over it,” I said handing her a glass of water of some little miracle ibuprofen pills.”

“Thanks Tristan.  You really are one of the sweetest guys I’ve ever met.”

Great,
I thought. 
Yeah, I’m real sweet.  Maybe you should come to bed with me and find out how sweet I really am. 

“It’s not a big deal A.J.   Do you think you can lie down or do you need to be near the sink still?” I asked.

“I think I’ll be fine.  I was just feeling queasy for a bit, but then you came along and now I feel all better,” she smiled at me. 

I could still see her face as the light from the moon illuminated through the apartment.  I was right; she was beautiful, like an angel sent from heaven.