Live Girls by Ray Garton Read Free Book Online Page A

thought, for a while, that Davey was finally exhibiting good judgment. But things, for some reason, had not clicked after that, despite how well the evening had gone. It had not happened again since.

    But not for lack of trying, girl , she thought.

    “So,” Casey said softly, “what if she's right?"

    “Hm?"

    “It is possible, you know, to be just a bit too nice. So nice that you turn yourself into a victim. I've always said that Beth is a mercenary bitch, and you'd be a hell of a lot better off without her. But the woman is right on that point, I'll give her that.” She sniffed, waiting for his reaction.

    He simply stared into his coffee.

    “But that's not what you want to hear, is it?"

    Davey shrugged finally, shook his head. “I don't know. I guess I just want to hear that there's nothing wrong with me.” He looked at her. “You know, my mother used to tell me that whoever I fell in love with, no matter how great it seemed, I would always get hurt. ‘That's the way love is,’ she'd say."

    “Oh?” she replied. “So you feel some obligation to prove her right? Sounds like a self-fulfilling prophecy to me."

    “Well,” he said, frustrated, “maybe she was right."

    “Prove her wrong."

    “Any suggestions?"

    “Yes. I would love more than anything to say there's nothing wrong with you, Davey, but I can't. There is: your taste in women and your lack of spine, Davey. You have no spine.” When he didn't respond, Casey started to go on, but was interrupted by Chad.

    “Hel- lo there!” he exclaimed, grinning as he took broad steps to the coffeepot. His fingers were snapping at his sides and his shoulders were bouncing, as if he were listening to music no one else could hear. “Glad you're here."

    “We're having a talk here, Chad,” Casey said. “Do you mind?"

    “Not at all, go right ahead. Um, do we have any tea bags left? I really don't think I'm in the mood for coffee right now."

    “No tea bags, Chad. Could you excuse us?"

    “Sure. But before you go,” he said, standing before them and holding up both palms, still grinning, “I'd like to give you both the opportunity to congratulate me. Christ, Davey, you look like hell."

    Casey sighed and gestured with her hand toward Chad, an okay-get-on-with-it wave.

    “Okay, okay,” he said, snapping his fingers again, “I just got back from Stella's, um, Miss Schuman's office, and she's informed me that I am to fill the position left behind by Fritz.” He spread his arms at his sides, gloating, self-satisfied. “How do you like that? "

    Casey felt her stomach shudder as she realized how Davey must be feeling. She looked over at him, saw the sudden looseness in his jaw, the disbelief in his eyes.

    “She...” Davey whispered, then cleared his throat. “She gave you that job?"

    “Yes, isn't it great?"

    Casey saw the glimmer in Chad's eyes. He knew exactly what he was doing to Davey. And, Goddamn him, he was enjoying it.

    “Chad,” she said with distaste, “don't you have something else to do right now?"

    “Yes,” Chad said, frowning suddenly, “as a matter of fact, I have an appointment with my doctor. A general physical. They'll probably take blood. God, I hate that.” He went back to the coffee tray and began searching the rectangular compartments for a stray tea bag. “I especially hate it when the nurse pops the cap off the needle and smiles and says, ‘Just a little blood, Mr. Wilkes. This won't hurt a bit.'” He shuddered slightly. “I could've sworn there were some bags in here earlier."

    “Chad, you are such a fucking creep, it brings tears to my eyes,” Casey said softly.

    “ What? No congratulations? No slap on the back?” He grinned again and stepped closer to Casey. “In fact, I thought you and I might even go out for a little celebration tonight."

    “I have plans,” Casey said without the slightest pause.

    “We could go to the Trench. They're gonna have a great live band there tonight, and we could