Backing my Bro's play takes a severe left turn.
Copyright © 2024 Literary Ranger
Zach and I have been acquaintances for years. We met through our mutual friend Bill, who hired me to write an article for a trade magazine about his company a few years ago. We all play golf together almost every weekend when I am in town in a regular foursome. I don't hang out with Zach in social circles, as he hangs out with other married couples with his wife, Beth. I am notoriously single. Zach is volatile at times and kind of superficial. Not the kind of guy I would normally hang out with as I like people with a little more depth of character. This doesn't mean I won't look out for him in certain situations. As the only single guy on our golf foursome, the guys ask me to regale them with my latest exploits of single life. Names are left out, and descriptions are vague as I don't like to kiss and tell to the point of embarrassing anyone. I restrict my stories to my overseas adventures primarily as the chances of meeting any of those women are very remote. As a writer, I know how to edit my story to leave out critical details. The guys get a good laugh as I am not always the hero in my stories, and often I am the dupe. I do have rules for dating. I don't date married women knowingly, but there are some sneaky bitches out there. I avoid hookup dating apps but do frequent the higher-end dating apps as I am looking for quality in women. I clearly state that I am not looking for a serious relationship at this time in my life, but if something exciting happens, I am flexible with the idea of a long-term relationship.
Zach's wife, Beth, has spoken to me once, or maybe twice, in the years I have known Zach. I know of one time for certain as I was at their wedding three years ago, and we talked briefly. She is an exotic beauty with black hair and olive skin, which speaks of Mediterranean ancestry. However, with it being such a big day for her, I doubt she remembers me.
Imagine my surprise when I run across her profile page on one of my dating apps. At first, I'm certain it is just a doppelganger of Beth, as I am sure she would never be on a dating app. The name on the profile is Liz, which is disturbing as I know Beth's name is short for Elisabeth as her full name was on the Wedding Invitation. But Liz can also short for Elisabeth, too. I look closer at the pictures on the profile, zooming in on a few of the pics. One image shows a small rose tattoo on her shoulder, which I remember from her wedding. I double-check this on FaceTube as both she and Zach have public accounts for work, even though I'm not associated with either of them on that platform. Yeah, the rose tattoo is there in her pictures. It's definitely her. Zach's wife is on a dating app. I sit back from my desk in shock. I have to let him know. I can't call him because I don't have his number. He is Bill's friend, and I'm definitely not passing on information like this through a third party. This is information that has to be given face to face.
On Saturday, I ask to pair with Zach on this round of golf to mix things up. I rarely pair with Zach as he drives long, and I am good on the short game, and we usually play best ball pairs for money. After some haggling and some points being offered, everyone agrees.
We hop in the cart and head to the first tee. I want to get out of earshot of everyone before I bring up this delicate conversation.
The 2nd Hole is a long Par 5, and with Zach's long drive, we end up standing off to the side better than halfway down the main fairway, well away from everyone, waiting for Bill and Walt to catch up.
"Hey, Zach, I was on a dating app the other day, and I ran across something weird," I begin.
"Dude, hang on. I'm sure Bill and Walt will want to hear this," he interrupts as he starts laughing in anticipation.
"Zach, I'm sure they won't," I say seriously. "I ran across a profile of your wife using the name Liz," I explain.
"You're shitting me," Zach says, staring at me in disbelief.
"No, I went on her FaceTube account to verify the tattoo on her shoulder was the same as the one on the profile pic," I state, supporting my argument.
"That's fucked up," he says, turning away, lost in thought.
"You want me to do anything about this?" I ask.
Zach turns to me, and his contemplative, confused expression morphs into a smiling, determined look as I can see a plan ferment in his eyes.
"I want you to run with it. She doesn't know you. You've only met, what? Two, three times, maybe? I doubt she remembers you. Go ahead and see if she will go out with you. If she goes home with you, record it if you can. We have a prenup, and I can burn her with the evidence of infidelity." Zach explains his plan.
"Hey, your shot, dickheads," Walt says as he pulls up next to us in the golf cart with Bill.
We all laugh as Zach overshoots the green, and we end up playing my shot for Eagle as I hit a beautiful shot with my new hybrid driver onto the green.
We don't say anything about our conversation to Bill and Walt the rest of the round or in the Clubhouse afterward. We actually pretty much break even on the round, money-wise. Bill and Walt leave to head home to their families, and Zach resumes his planning.
"I had to get a prenup because of my business, and she signed it because she understood the business aspects of that, but I don't think she realized that there is a fidelity clause in there as well for both of us. Otherwise, I don't think she would be stupid enough to be screwing around on me." Zach says, continuing our conversation from earlier.
"So, there's no chance you can reconcile?" I ask. I would never reconcile with someone who is even making an attempt to cheat, but I am playing the Devil's Advocate and trying to be a good friend.
"No, I don't think so," Zach says. He is busy peeling the label from his beer bottle as he thinks. "We'll have to see if she has screwed anyone yet," he finally says.
"Okay, I'll go ahead and contact her on the site. Set up a date and see what happens," I offer.
"Yeah, do that," Zach acknowledges. He seems somewhat defeated now. His attention returns to peeling the label from his beer bottle.
"Dude, knock it off." I confront him. "You found out about this shit now before you had kids or wasted more time on Beth. This is a good thing. You can hang out with me, and get my castoffs, and live like a king. Also, you're rich now. Rich dudes pull babes." I say, laughing as I pat him on the shoulder.
"Yeah, that wouldn't be a bad life," Zach agrees, laughing with me.
"No, it won't. I got you," I comfort him. I have no desire to hang out with him, but I can't leave him like this when he is down. I will have to get hold of Bill to let him know what is happening as things shake out.
"Hey, if you can, find out why?" he asks.
"I will. It is probably something selfish and stupid. Cheaters never have a good reason, and it never has anything to do with their partner unless it's revenge," I reason.
"No, I'm not a cheater. I don't work too much. I don't take her for granted. Honestly, I have no fucking idea why she would cheat," he states.
"I will make that my main mission beyond getting evidence for you," I promise.
We finish our beer, exchange numbers, and head out.
Back at my condo, I contact 'Liz' to let her know I am interested in a date.
I don't see a response until the next morning. The time indicates that she possibly waited until Zach was asleep before she replied. I take screenshots of everything for Zach's divorce case.
'Liz' wrote that she enjoyed reading my profile, likes my pictures, is fascinated about all the traveling I have done all over the world, and can't wait to meet me.
This is really quick for this level of online dating on this platform. This platform tends to cater to relationships, and things generally progress slower as people are more interested in building relationships. However, she is acting like this is a lower-end hookup app by the way she is behaving.
I tell her I will be more than happy to meet her, name a time, and a place.
Her answer is almost immediate.
Three this afternoon at the Venetian Bar and Grill.
I am surprised by the location because it is an older restaurant rumored to be run by the mafia. I know why she has selected this place, however, because no one she knows will venture anywhere near this neighborhood. It is off the main thoroughfares of our city, on the edge of the industrial area. I know her circle of friends are affluent corporate managers and business owners and will have no cause to be in this area.
'Liz' sends me her phone number along with the message in case there are any complications.
I send her a text. -Looking forward to seeing you- So she will have my number as well.
-Can't wait- 'Liz' sends a text back.
I have several cars, and I drive my 'beater'. This is the car I drive when I want to blend in. It looks like a standard mid-range sedan until you hit the gas pedal, then the twin turbos kick in and try to toss you into the back seat. It also has reinforced bumpers and doors, as well as high-performance brakes. I take this car because some of the others I own I know Zach more than likely talked to Beth/Liz about, and she will immediately know who I am.
I park in front of the Venetian and walk inside. The maître d is standing at the receiving station as I enter, which surprises me as the parking lot is almost empty.
"Are you here to meet Liz?" He asks.
"Yes, I am," I reply.
"This way, please," he gestures for me to follow him.
We walk a small way to a booth. Beth/Liz smiles as I sit opposite her. She looks nervous.
After I sit, she looks at me, staring. I think she has recognized me, but I am going to let this ride to see how she reacts. If she does recognize me or play it out if she doesn't.
"Hi, Liz," I say to break the silence.
"Oh, hi, I'm sorry," she says. Shaking her head, breaking out of her reverie. "How rude of me. I thought I recognized you for a moment, but that can't be."
"Believe me, if we had met, I would remember it," I compliment. I reach across the table for her hands.
"Oh, thank you," she blushes, taking my hands. I can see the white tan line where her wedding band and engagement rings were on her finger.
"So, do you want to get something to eat and get to know each other better?" I ask.
"Could we just head somewhere more private? I want to get to know you better in a more intimate setting," she says seductively. There is a nervous twinge to it, but I can't tell if she is afraid of rejection or about getting caught.
"Okay, why don't you follow me back to my place, and we can relax there and talk," I say. I phrase it to take any pressure off of her, but it seldom fails that once a woman is back at my house, they don't end up in my bed.
"That sounds like a great idea," she says in overstatement. She stands and quickly throws $20 on the table.