The Odd Couple

Chapter One

So, we’re starting out this month in the red. We really need sales, or we’ll be looking for a new place soon. By the way, the interest on the loan we took out three months ago is going up because you missed a payment.

Chase toyed with his pen, listening to his best friend and business partner, Jennifer Brightman talk about their financial woes. Despite the dire situation they found themselves in, Chase could give a shit less.

Chase? Jennifer’s tired eyes met his. Her hair was bunched in a messy bun atop her head, pulled together with a black scrunchie. Are you hearing me? We’re in the red.

I heard. Chase did, but he wasn’t really paying attention. He leaned back in his chair, staring at the cracks connecting on the ceiling. Did I tell you Greg called me a slob?

"No, you didn’t, Chase, and this is further proof that you really don’t listen to anything I say." Jennifer griped. Her brows furrowed and she tossed her pencil on the desk.

Chase straightened. "I ... I do listen.  I’m just distracted. Look. How would you feel if your man walked out on you without a freaking notice?"

I haven’t had a man in like three years, so excuse me for not feeling sympathetic! She snapped.

Chase paled and reached across the desk. He quickly grabbed her hand. Fuck, I’m sorry, okay? That bad breakup you had with what’s his face was a mess.

Yeah. She snatched her hand away.

Chase raked his strands and scratched his head. He’d known Jennifer hadn’t gotten over the dude who ran off with some reality television show star and broke her heart.

Fucking dick.

Even he wasn’t that bad. Although Chase was the love ‘em, leave ‘em, type, he’d never just up and leave without giving the guy notice.

Maybe that was the real reason Greg left without a trace.

Karma is truly a bitch!

Chase Whittaker, he broke up with you a few days ago. Actually, I’m surprised your relationship lasted as long as it did. What was that, a month?

Almost. Chase grimaced and tilted his head.

"Well, he stuck around longer than the others. And uh, news flash, you are a slob!"

Am not! Chase shifted in his chair, causing a stack of books to tumble to the floor.

I rest my case. Jennifer said matter-of-factly, staring at him with a blank expression.

No, no, I ... I didn’t have a chance to put these away. A customer left these, and I wanted to look them over before putting them on the shelves. Chase picked them up and placed the books in a semi neat pile. When they nearly toppled again, he steadied it with a hand.

"Would you listen to yourself? You’re so busy defending your actions, you don’t see the mess in here. Look around. Old food boxes on the floor. Bills and junk mail are scattered over what used to be our desk. I don’t come in here anymore unless we need to chat in private. Did you notice I relocated to the small corner with the CD’s and DVD’s?"

Yeah. You said you needed your own space.

"To breathe." She retorted with a smirk.

Chase harrumphed and crossed his arms. He had to admit the office was a sty, but he hadn’t had the time nor the motivation to clean it. Truthfully, he never would because cleaning wasn’t his favorite activity. Only after sex if his partner demanded it.

"Okay, maybe I am a little messy, but I’m a guy." Chase moved his hand and the books fell again.

Jennifer growled and stood. She picked them up, stacking them in a neater pile, then plopped down and huffed. Not all guys are as messy as you are, Chase.

"Yeah, but not a slob. If that were true, it would mean things were so bad I’d have bugs, right?"

I wouldn’t be surprised if something jumped out at one of us right now. She dropped her gaze and pulled out her phone.

"Nah, it’s not that bad. Chase lifted papers, files, and moved around more books. After shaking the old mail and kicking stuff on the floor, he figured the place was bug free. Not a slob, Jennifer. Just, um... a little unorganized."

Jennifer turned her cell around for him to see. The definition of slob means someone with low standards of cleanliness.

What? Let me see that! Chase popped out of his chair and snatched it from her. "This definition doesn’t totally fit me. Plus, I’m not unattractive."

"No, you’re not, but your untidy habits make you unattractive. Thank the goddesses you haven’t let your junkiness get to your appearance!" Jennifer glared at Chase.

Chase tugged collar up and grinned. "Never that, sweets. I gotta look good for all the boys."

Yeah, okay, Romeo. Then start caring about the things around you as you do with your clothes and body. If you clean up your act, you’ll keep a boyfriend.

Chase placed Jennifer’s phone on a mountain of files and leaned back, making it creak. All right, fine. There’s plenty of things I can throw away, believe you me. I still don’t get why he left so quickly.  He could’ve helped.

Maybe he didn’t want to be your maid, she answered. Anyway, back to the books—

Chase covered his ears like a petulant child. Nope, no, la la, don’t want to hear it. I’d forgotten we weren’t supposed to talk finances until the fifteenth and the last day of the month, remember? That’s when most of our bills and rent are due.

Yeah and today is the fourteenth, the day before—

Which means we don’t talk about it until tomorrow. Chase smiled and placed both hands behind his head. "Soooo. Since we both need a man, there’s this new place in Wicker Park—"

Jennifer pinched the bridge of her nose, closed her eyes, and reopened them. Chase, please, can we talk about this? I don’t have the extra money for this payment. It’s already ballooned once and will get bigger if we don’t pay it back on time this month.

Chase sat up straight, wishing they didn’t have to discuss this. Breakups and bills always killed his mood, but this conversation had to happen to keep the doors to Oldie but Goodie open.

Ugh, fine. You’re such a killjoy.

Yep, that’s me! The killer of all joy. All the men I’ve dated said the same thing. Jennifer said deadpanned. She straightened her papers. So, again, we need some more funds to get—

Uh, sorry, Chase? Can you come up front? There’s an old geezer looking for some records. I dunno what to tell him and he asked to speak with the owner.

Saved by the kid.

Chase eyed Murphy, the store clerk. I’ll be right up.

Kay.

Lemme take care of this, and we’ll get back to our meeting. By the way, when does Laura come in?

She doesn’t. I told her not to bother because we can’t afford to pay her! Jennifer snapped again.

Chase cursed under his breath. Not having backup meant he’d be stuck closing the shop. Appropriate, he’d guessed since he didn’t have a man waiting for him at home.  

Got it. Chase managed. He didn’t want to say anything else to make Jennifer angrier.

Avoiding another stack of books, Chase detoured to the other side of his desk and stepped over the already full wastebasket. When he got the door, he glanced at Jennifer once more, then walked out. Somehow, he’d have to convince Jennifer to help, because it was too much to do alone. Plus, she was a lot neater than he was. With her skills, they’d have the place together in no time.

Chase followed Murphy to the front and stepped behind the counter.

Immediately, an elderly gentleman with thinning silver hair frowned at him. His shoulders went rigid.

"You can’t possibly be the manager." He snarled.

Chase forced a smile and straightened. Many people questioned his ownership because of his youth and appearance. Actually, I am, sir. I’m Chase, manager and owner of Oldie but Goodie. What can I do for you today?

The man turned up his nose. How old are you? About twenty?

Twenty-three, sir. I can help you with what you need. We’ve got a rare selection of music and books people have dropped off. If you’ll come with me, I can show you some.

Yeah? The man set his cane on the counter and clutched the edges for support. Do you know who Buddy Holly is?

Who the heck is that? Murphy asked.

Chase glared at Murphy.

Uh oh, sorry. I got some work to do. Murphy scrambled away.

See? These young kids have no knowledge or respect for the classics! The man pointed his finger.

Chase flashed a tight smile. "Not all of them. Anyway, I know who Buddy Holly is. In fact, I’m a big fan. That’ll be the Day is one of my favorite albums of all time. My grandfather played it a lot when I was a baby."

The man’s frown quickly softened. He raised his eyebrows. Really?

Yeah. My grandfather, Darwin Whittaker, was the original owner. It’s been in the family for over fifty years. When I was a teenager, he played Peggy Lee, Buddy Holly, and some Chuck Berry while we worked. He was a great man, Mr...

Mr. Simmons. Charles Simmons. The guy said with a wry grin.

Yeah, Mr. Simmons, he was amazing. He loved music, especially the oldies, Chase added. He dropped his gaze and stared at the cracks in the floor to avoid the man’s inspection. He didn’t want to get all choked up over the only parental unit he’d ever had.

Grandpa died a year ago. Even at ninety-one he was still sharp as a pencil. Chase exhaled and clenched the counter’s edges. Right then he remembered his Grandpa’s last words to play Buddy and Peggy anytime Chase got sad. Perhaps the old guy would be happy if he did so now.

I’m so sorry, my boy. Mr. Simmons patted Chase’s hand. We need more young people like you to carry on the tradition. All this new stuff is awful and wretched. Sounds like noise.

Not all of it, Mr. Simmons. Buddy Holly was definitely a treasure, though. Why don’t I grab you a chair and I’ll bring you what we have. I’ll even play some for you if you’d like.

That would be wonderful. Thank you. The guy smiled, appearing pleased.

Okay. I’ll be right back. Chase spun around and walked behind a wall that was painted to look like a bookcase.

When he grabbed his chair, Jennifer ambled out of the office.

Hey Jenn, you wanna help Murphy with some things because I might be with this customer a while.

Oh God. Anything to get out of talking about the books. She huffed and turned the corner to find Murphy.

No, I wasn,’t but... Chase shrugged.

Customers come first.   

Chase re-entered the front, placing the chair in back of the man. Here you go. Be careful on the way down. He held onto the arms so it wouldn’t slide.

Thank you, my dear boy. Mr. Simmons picked up his cane and eased down into the seat.

Chase poked around with the sound system and found the special playlist with all his Grandpa’s favorites. You’re welcome. Let me grab the albums and CD’s. Which one...

Chase stopped when the bell atop the door chimed. Two people walked in, one male, one female. They ambled to the jazz section.

Hi there. Someone will be with you in a moment. Jennifer?

Hey. The man waved before turning around to talk with the lady.

Chase strolled over to the classic oldies section which was coincidentally next to jazz portion. As Chase picked up three Buddy Holly records, he glanced at the couple.

Hot damn.

Looking past the woman, Chase continued to eye the man. Long brown locs in a messy manbun, gauge and septum piercings, wearing black-rimmed glasses. Tribal ink covered one of his tawny-colored forearms and he sported a neatly trimmed mustache and beard.

Fucking gorgeous.

What Chase wouldn’t give to have Mr. Hottie’s legs wrapped around him at night. Too bad Mr. Simmons was waiting for him.

Still, he had to be cordial and let them know they wouldn’t be left hanging.

Um. We’ll be right with you, okay?

No rush. The man patted the lady’s shoulder and wryly smiled. We don’t have anything but time. Especially now.

Did he just flirt with me?

The guy had just put his hand on this woman’s shoulder, but maybe they weren’t as close as Chase thought.

Cool. Chase nodded distractedly and strolled back to Mr. Simmons. He placed them in his lap.

Mr. Simmons was tapping his feet and singing along with the music.

There you go. All these are in mint condition, too. Unfortunately, that’s all I’ve got from Buddy. Chase quickly glanced at the couple who busied themselves with the records.

Mr. Simmons gasped and clutched his chest. This is wonderful. All of mine were destroyed in a fire three weeks ago. I’ll take all of them. How much do I owe you?

Oh wow, sorry to hear. Chase didn’t know exactly how much to say, but could he really in good conscience charge this man money after he mentioned losing the records in a fire?

Chase waved his hand. No charge. I’m glad we’ve got something you wanted. Wish we had more, but his career was so short, and...

No worries, my boy. I really appreciate this. They look to be in mint condition too, just as you said.

Yep. Anything else you need? Chase hoped not. He didn’t want to be rude