A Fighting Man Read Online Free

tears.
    I trudged up the stairs and opened the door to my room. It looked the same as it always did. I thought for sure my parents would have turned it into a wedding room or something. Even though they were retired from being wedding planners, they still helped out now and then with up-and-coming companies. Posters adorned my walls, mostly half naked supermodels. I still found women attractive, but I leaned more towards men. Well, one man at the moment.
    I sat down and flipped open my carry-on. My laptop was firing up as I put some of my clothes away. New York in late May was already hot, but I hated wearing shorts. I clicked on a file I’d made and opened it. Casper Kennedy, born in Junction City, Kansas. Twenty-five years old. There wasn’t much else available about him, really. He’d deactivated his Facebook, Myspace and any other social media account he had about three years ago. I’d done some snooping, and asked a couple of friends of mine to pull up any info on the guy. His parents were still living in Kansas.
    I heard my mom calling me from downstairs and shut the laptop down. I couldn’t wait to have a home-cooked meal. She was setting the table as I came down and I grabbed the plates from her.
    “Thank you, Slater.” She kissed my cheek.
    “No problem.” I smiled, as I set the plates down.
    “Do you plan on going out to the city?”
    “Yes.”
    Mom put her hands on her hips and glared at me.
    “You’re not going to torture that young man, are you?”
    “Define ‘torture’.” I grinned.
    “Raquel, leave the boy alone,” my father piped up.
    “I don’t want you messing with Casper’s head. I know you, Slater.”
    “I like him, Mom, okay?” I huffed as we sat down.
    “You do? I don’t want Casper to end up another conquest. He’s a very sweet boy.”
    I glared at my mother. “Really, Mom? Thanks so much for your high opinion of me.”
    “Slater, you can’t deny your track record.” My father pointed at me with his fork.
    “No, I can’t, but Casper’s different.”
    “How so?”
    “He’s really smart, and funny. He’s devoted to his friends and his job; I admire that kind of loyalty. I find him interesting.” I reclined in my chair with a smile. “And he’s so damned adorable.”
    “Isn’t he older than you, sweetheart?”
    “Yes, by one year, Mom. It’s not like he’s cradle robbing me,” I snorted.
    “Nothing wrong with an older man.” My father winked at my mother.
    “Ew, just…no.” I pointed at them.
    “So what are your plans tomorrow?” my father asked.
    “I’m sending Casper a gift.” I rolled my fork between my fingers. “I don’t want him to forget me.”
    “I don’t think that’s possible, son.” My father laughed.
    “He doesn’t even know I’m back yet, and I’m going to keep it that way for a few more days. I’ve planned things for those days and I want to see how it goes over.”
    “I hope you know what you’re doing.” My mother patted my hand.
    “Me, too.”
    I helped Mom wash up and then headed back to my room after dinner. It was going on eleven and I hadn’t realized how long I had been sitting there talking to them. I was exhausted, mentally and physically.
    But I had one more thing to do.
    The cursor blinked at me as I waited to see if Casper would come on. A green light appeared and I almost shouted in triumph. I typed immediately.
    Captain America: Well hellloo.
    CK: Shit.
    Captain America: Well that’s less than enthusiastic.
    CK: I have a lot of work to do tonight, Slater. I really can’t afford to spend time turning you down.
    Captain America: Then don’t.
    I swear I could almost hear Casper sighing on his end. I felt kind of bad for the guy. He must be stressed out at work. Blaine seemed overwhelmed with the campaign, maybe Casper was, too?
    Captain America: I wish my buddy Ramos was in the States; he’d be a good guy for your campaign.
    CK: At this point I’m contemplating Europe.
    Captain America: For a guy?
    CK: