Backing my Bro's play takes a severe left turn.
Copyright ยฉ 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.