Everyone's Dirty Little Secrets by Matthew Miles Read Free Book Online Page A

message.
     
    From Jaime.
     
    Boss in NYC.   Bringing friend 2 ur pool.
     
    This is not good.  He gets excited, despite himself, has a hard time typing even a simple response.
     
    No.
     
    He hits the send button.
     
    He knows the protest will hardly work.  He assumes nothing will.
     
    Maybe he hopes.   Maybe he fears.
     
    His phone, still gripped in the flesh of his palm, vibrates again.
     
    Picture message.
     
    Dodge groans.
     
    It sounds like the wrong kind of groan, even to him.
     
    This will only get worse.
     
    He opens the message.
     
    When r u getting back?
     
    There is a photo.  A close-up of Jaime’s bare back, the smooth, silk curtain of her skin interrupted only a tight bikini string, cutting i ts way into her soft flesh. She is being clever. 
     
    He gets the message.
     
    All he can think abo ut is getting back.  She ’s flashing her best smile over her shoulder, that patented Jaime glint in her eye. 
     
    The devil may care. 
     
    Jaime does not.
     
    Dodge knows she is capable of anything.  That she will do anything.
     
    He understands how a man can live in both hope and fear.
     
    He has to get back before Siobhan does.
     
     
     
    *****
     
     
     
    Chuck knows how transient luck is. 
     
    If it dares pass you on the road, follow it.
     
    There is no way he would have missed Jaime in a bikini top, in a convertible .  When she passes him, it is easy to follow her.  Hell, it almost feels innocent.  But Chuck is honest.  He knows right away he is going to follow h er - is absolutely intoxicated at the prospect, even.
     
    She’s going to Mrs. Dodge’s house, he realizes.  It’s not like he hasn’t been there.  Or by there, at least.  He knows where she lives.  So that’s clear early on.  But even with that settled, this smack s of intrigue.  Some kind of excitement.
     
    He watches Jaime pull in past the gate , a friend in the passenger seat .  Siobhan do es n’t lock it , he knows, but it’s nice to have a gate, just the same.   He circles his car around the block , parks on the street, not knowing how he’s going to navigate this one yet.  Straight up peep?  Or is it time to pull the party crasher move?  That’s bold for him.  He’s a peep.  A stalker, even.  But he doesn’t really have the balls, or the brains, to figure out how to be part of the action.
     
    That’s why he usually just follows his luck.  He sees Dodge approaching in one of Siobhan’s cars, not long after Jaime.  This is more intriguing than he had expected.  He decides to start walking in, times it to be in front of Dodge, stepping into the gated driveway just before Dodge turns to pull in.
     
    “Jesus, did she invite you too?” Dodge asks him through the passenger window.
     
    Chuck marvels at how much Dodge looks like him, wonders if he could ever use that to his advantage.  
     
    He just grins and shrugs at Dodge.
     
    Dodge throws open the door.  “Hop in, then,” he tells Chuck .
     
    Chuck acts hesitant, but he’s not.  After a moment, he slides slowly in.  “Thanks, Mr. Dodge,” he says.
     
    Luck is a fickle mistress but she must be courted if she dances your way.
     
    This is an easy rule to follow.  If that’s your idea of a rule - do whatever comes your way.
     
    Things don’t happen for a reason.
     
    Reasons don’t matter.
     
     
     
    *****
     
     
     
    Jaime is surprised when Mr. Chuck steps out of Dodge’s car , baffled at how the two came to be together.  They d on’t really know each other, though they certainly saw each other at the company party.  Maybe in the office.  They would recognize each other.  They look alike, after all - people tend to notice that. 
     
    Brigitte – the friend she dragged along - splashes her , diving into the pool, and Jaime chases her to the shallow end, sending a wave of water into her face.
     
    Jaime likes playing it by ear.
     
    There’s a reason for everything.  If you watch and listen long enough,