Can You Keep a Secret

Chapter Two

Welcome to Chapter Two of 'Can You Keep a Secret'
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Alec:

"Daddy, this is Daphne. My roommate and best friend from college." My daughter Joslyn says with a large smile on her face.

"It's nice to meet you. Daphne." I say, taking an extra second to let her name fall from my lips.
When I told Joslyn she could have her friend stay here for the summer, I wasn't expecting her roommate to be a woman through and through.

I offer my hand to Daphne to shake as I watch her eyes flicker down to my hand and then back up to my eyes as her small hand then connects with mine.
Her lips part for just a moment and I witness her taking a deep breath as her voice wavers a moment, "it's nice to meet you sir. Thank you for allowing me the pleasure of staying here for the summer."

"Of course, any friend of Joslyns is welcome here." I smile, only now realizing her hand is still in mine.

My father always taught me a good handshake lasts three seconds, is firm, and made with eye contact while standing. Out of respect.
But then there's a handshake like the one just now. At least seven seconds, eyes wondering, and a soft grip. The only thing we did right was the standing portion... but this handshake alone is the only one my mind has taken and run with.

She must've just noticed our hands were still locked as well as we both seemed to let go on the eighth second. Her eyes avoid mine and I can't help the smirk tugging at my lips.

Joslyn starts talking about what kind of pizza place to order from but my distracted mind can't seem to focus on pizza for whatever reason.
It's like as soon as I stepped foot in the door, my mind has lost all ability to focus.
For damn sake, I'm a cop. I'm always focused. What is wrong with me?

"Daphne. You're not from here, what sounds good to you?" Joslyns asks her friend. And just the sound of her name had me snapping my head over in her direction.

Jesus, help me. My mind must be slipping because these thoughts... they're wrong.
She's like a child for crying out loud.
Probably not even legal to drink yet if she's the same age as Joslyn.

But then as I look at her, I just picture myself lifting her onto the kitchen counter, the slit in her skirt showing off one of her tanned thighs. One of my hands squeezing her thigh as the other wraps around her hair and yanks her head back just enough to expose her neck so I can bite and suck on her skin, leaving little marks behind.

God, is it hot in here? Why am I sweating?

I glance over at the girls for just a moment, my eyes accidentally gluing themselves to Daphnes lips as she purses them to the side.
"Surprise me. Just know I stick to the classic pepperoni." She giggles softly, taking a floral scrunchie from her wrist and wrapping up her long deep auburn hair into a low messy bun. A few pieces of stray hair fall in front of her face, framing it. She gently attempts to blow one of the strands away from her face but to no avail, it falls back in place.

"I got us each a beer." Bobby says entering the room.
Shit. I didn't even know he was here.

We both take a seat on the large leather couch glancing over at the tv screen as reruns of 'The Office' play at a low volume. I keep this show on for Sadie, my German shepherd who I just saw walk over to her dog bed and lay down with a sigh.
She goes to work with me most days and today was a tough day. I don't blame her for being exhausted. Plus, she's getting older. She will have to retire working with me in a year or less.

Giving Bobby a side smile, I take the beer,  "thanks man, I could go for three more of these after the night I've had." I shake my head as I pop open the beer, taking a swig.

Joslyn walks over to Bobby and I, "can I get Daphne and I a beer too?"

Bobby and I both laugh, "you're nineteen, and I'm a cop. What makes you think you can drink?" I laugh deeply again after I ask her.

Joslyn shakes her head, "actually, Daphne is twenty. She will be twenty one in September."

Oh, so she's not a teenager. Technically.

That shouldn't make a difference.
No.
That doesn't make a difference. She's a child.

Before I answer, Bobby takes the reigns and I just about hit him upside the head for it, "ah, what the hell. Go get a beer. Like you said, we're cops. If we say it's okay, then it's okay." He laughs, taking a swig of his beer.
Joslyn excitedly scurries off to the kitchen, her and Daphne both giggling at Joslyns hideous run.

Bobby glances over to me mouthing 'what?' As I give him a glare.
"Let them live. We started drinking beers at fourteen. This is nothing."

As I pull my phone out to order the pizzas. Pepperoni in particular, I hear that velvet smooth voice, "hey Joslyn, I'm going to change into some pajamas, I'll be back down in just a moment."

Trying to keep my eyes on my phone, I dial the number to one of the best pizza parlors in town, 'Tony's' but then my eyes, for just a moment, catch sight of Daphnes long legs as she's climbs the stairs. The high slit in her floral skirt showing off her legs and I just beg the Lord that she puts on some loose, baggy pajamas.

"Uh hello?" The other end of the phone speaks.
"Oh shit, sorry. Hi, I'd like to place an order for delivery."

I hear Bobby chuckle to himself as I begin to place the order, trying to get everyone's favorites. Pepperoni for Daphne, bacon and sausage for Joslyn, supreme for Bobby and I and then cheesy bread for all. Including Sadie.

Once I finish the order, I check the room and see Joslyn in the kitchen making a snack. Didn't she just hear me place a huge pizza order? I shake my head with a smile until I glance over at Bobby who is staring at me with a weird look on his face. Sort of
like a goldfish that's about to explode or something.
"What's wrong with your face?" I laugh.

"Nothing. But uh, wanna tell me something?"

I look at him confused, "about? Work? The farm?"

He rolls his eyes then nods his head over to the staircase. My eyes meet what he's nodding to and I see Daphne descend the stairs as if she's floating. The way she moves down the steps is so effortlessly smooth, I could watch her do it for days and never get bored.
She has on fuzzy socks with leggings and an old Nascar t-shirt that is oversized, her hair now in a loose braid, falling down her shoulder and reaching just below her bust.

Daphne offers a small smile to Bobby and I before she wanders into the kitchen to lend Joslyn a hand.

I feel Bobby staring at me with a huge grin on his face. Letting out a sigh, I face him. "Can I help you?"

"It's not me that you wanna help. Is it?" He says keeping his voice low.

"The fuck do you mean?"

He nods over to Daphne, "you think she's cute or something?"

"W-what no? No. Of course not. That's my daughters friend. And to keep in mind there's a seventeen year age gap." My birthday is early September, Joslyn didn't specify when Daphnes is but either way. Seventeen years is still seventeen years.

I wouldn't date anyone that's younger than thirty.

Bobby shrugs, "my mom is twelve years older than my dad. Age is just a number. You see how crazy in love they are, even after all these years."

I shake my head, "that's great for them. But I like women my age. She's a child. Not gonna happen."
Taking a large chug of beer, I almost feel like I'm lying to myself.

Maybe if I keep doing so, I'll eventually believe it.