by Nicole James
“Okay, doll. Liam’s up talking with Jamie, but make sure Rory walks you out.”
“I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
“Company policy. Someone walks you out. Got it?”
“Got it.”
“See you tomorrow then.”
“Bye, Max.”
He slapped the wall and walked out.
She finished up and walked back up front. Rory was just finishing straightening his station. “You ready to go, doll?”
“Yes, just let me grab my purse.”
He walked her out the front, pausing to lock the door. Then he turned to her. “Where are you parked?”
She pointed down the block and they started walking.
“So what’s the deal with you and my brother?” Rory asked.
She turned to look at him. “Which brother?”
He chuckled. “You know which brother. Jamie.”
She blew out a breath. “He doesn’t much care for me, does he?”
“I wouldn’t say that.” He grinned.
It was her turn to laugh. “Right.”
“Let’s just say there’s some strong emotions flying around the shop. What I want to know is why.”
She shrugged. “I’m on the city council. I voted against him getting those parking spots. Well, more than voted. I sort of rallied the council to shoot it down.”
Rory let out a huff of laughter.
Ava looked at him curiously. “That’s funny?”
“My brother getting shot down by a woman? Yeah, it’s a riot. Damn, I wished I’d have been there to see that.”
“I take it that doesn’t happen very often.”
“No, ma’am. You may be a first.”
“Lucky me.”
At that he burst out laughing again.
She stopped in front of her car, sliding the key in the lock. “This is me.”
He waited while she opened the door and climbed in. With his hand on the frame, he leaned in. “Don’t let him get you down, Ava. His bark is worse than his bite.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Drive safe.”
“I will. Thanks.”
He stepped back, shutting her door, and she fired up the engine. She watched him turn and head back toward the shop as she pulled out onto the street, rolling down to the light at the corner. She stopped, waiting for the light to change when something in her peripheral vision caught her attention. Turning, she saw the flare of a cigarette as someone who stood in the shadows, leaning against the building on the corner, took a draw off it. The glow illuminated the man’s face for a brief second. But that was all it took for recognition to hit her.
It was the scary biker from earlier. His eyes stared right at her. She quickly turned away, praying the light would change. A second later, she glanced back and he was gone. That had her head turning to the right, her eyes darting all around the street, trying to find him. A sudden knock on her driver’s window scared the crap out of her and had her jerking her head back to the left. She looked up and he was standing right there. She felt her stomach drop as he motioned for her to roll the window down. Not on your life, buddy.
She glanced back at the light, preparing to run it, regardless, when finally it changed, and she stomped on the gas. She looked in her rearview mirror. The man was still standing in the street watching her drive away, and then he was jogging across the street. She imagined he was headed to wherever his bike was parked. She drove as fast as she could straight home, her eyes on her rearview mirror the entire way, but no one followed her.
With her cell phone clutched in her hand, she hurried from her car to her front door. Quickly fumbling with the key, she made it inside and threw the bolt. Peering through the curtain, she watched the street, but no traffic went past. Sighing with relief, she tossed her handbag on the couch, kicked off her shoes, and headed into the kitchen to get a drink.
She took a glass down and held it under the icemaker as her thumb moved over her cell phone screen. A moment later, she put it to her ear, listening to the dial tone as she poured some juice into her glass.
Stephanie’s voice came on the line. “Hey, sweetie. What’s up?”
Ava tucked the phone between her ear and shoulder as she dug into her cookie jar. “Nothing. Just checking in. How are things at the office?”
Stephanie yawned. “Same old, same old. How goes it with the boss from hell?”
“He’s still his irritable self. I swear nothing pleases that man.”
“Come on, he can’t be that bad?”
“Oh, no? Come by after work tomorrow. You can see for yourself.”
“I thought you’d never ask. I’m dying to come see.”
Ava munched on a cookie and stared at the ceiling. “We had a big blowout today.”
“Over what?”
“I suggested he upgrade his computer system.”
“I’m guessing he didn’t take too well to that idea.”
“Nope. Bit my head off. I swear, that man is the most frustrating person to work for. It’s his way or the highway.”
“Well, unfortunately, you can’t let it be the highway in this case, so you’re just gonna have to suck it up.”
“I’m well aware. But it’s a lot harder than I thought it would be.”
“I wish there was something I could do to help.”
“Come by tomorrow. Maybe he’ll see you and let you take my spot.”
“Hmm. Now I’m not sure I want to work there. You make it sound so terrible.”
“Steffy!”
“Well, you do!”
Ava smiled. She knew what would tempt Steffy into coming down. She wouldn’t be able to keep her away, in fact. “Did I tell you I finally got to meet the youngest of the O’Rourke brothers today?”
“No, you didn’t. Is he an asshole like his big brother?”
“He’s in a rock band.” Ava could literally feel Steffy’s sudden interest perk up.
“What?”
“Yeah. He’s in the band, Convicted Chrome. And oh my God, Steffy, he’s gorgeous.”
“Oh my God! No way! What does he look like? Does he play guitar? Does he sing?”
Ava grinned. She knew she had her then, hook, line, and sinker. “He’s Rock God gorgeous. And yes, he sings and plays guitar.
“Okay, that’s it. You sold me. I’ll be over after work tomorrow. And you better not be exaggerating, Sister!”
Ava grinned. “See you tomorrow.”
As she disconnected the call, her doorbell rang. Glancing down the hall, she stared at the front door and immediately thought of the biker. Had he followed her home, and she just didn’t see him? She hesitated, not wanting to answer. But she couldn’t stop herself from moving toward the door to peek out the peephole.
Pulling back, she frowned. It was the plastic surgeon she’d originally scheduled to do the bachelor auction. She opened the door.
“Dr. Ashton. What are you doing here?” Her eyes moved over him. He was short, but stocky. He was bald and wore glasses, and his expression seemed angry.
“Ms. Hightower. I saw the flyers around town. I just got back from a surgical convention in Baltimore, but I thought for sure you would have told me if you’d made this change.” He held the flyer up, pointing at the name of the headliner. “I thought I was your headliner. I already told all my patients and colleagues.”
“I’m so sorry, Dr. Ashton. It was a last minute change. The opportunity arose and well, he has quite a following. We sold out in a day. I’m sure you understand. For the good of the charity, I had to do what I thought would sell the most tickets.”
His chin came up, a sour expression on his face. “Whatever you may have felt you had to do, this was handled badly. It’s put me in a bad light with people in the community. Being replaced like that and at the last minute, when plans had already been made. I’ll look like the laughing stock.”
“Dr. Ashton, I’m sure that’s not true.”
“Like you care now. You hav
e your Mr. Big Shot tattoo artist. Like any woman would want to date him. I don’t even begin to understand the appeal. And now here I am, looking like the town fool.”
“Dr. Ashton, it’s not like that. But if you’d prefer, I’ll make some excuse, like you had some conflicts come up with a speaking engagement or a family wedding or something, and you had to bow out. People would understand.”
“It’s just that easy for you, isn’t it? Just toss aside someone who’s helped this charity for years for this flavor of the month. Well, if that’s how you want to play this, fine. But I’ll remember this. And don’t count on me for any further donations. I’m done with you and your damn charity!”
With that he stormed off. Ava watched him stalk down the street, and she bit her lip. She hoped he wasn’t going to cause her any trouble. She wouldn’t have worried too much, except the man was also on the city council with her, and she’d have to see him at every meeting.
Closing the door quietly, she pressed her forehead against it, wondering what else could go wrong in her life.
Chapter Seven
The next evening at about 6:00, Steffy came strolling in the front door of Brothers Ink. Luckily for Ava, Jameson just happened to be downstairs. She’d worried most of the day on how she was going to arrange that he be around when her sister came in to see her. After all, she couldn’t persuade the man to agree to let Steffy replace her if she first didn’t put the idea in his head. And she needed him to see Steffy in the tattoo shop for that idea to percolate in his brain. At least, that’s how she imagined it would go. He’d see her sweet little sister and realize what a mistake he’d be making if he didn’t swap out Annoying Ava for Sweet Steffy.
Unfortunately, that’s not exactly how it went down.
“Hey, Sister,” Steffy sang out in her tinkling voice, a melodic feminine sound that had every male head in the place turning to see the pretty blonde walk in.
Ava had to suppress a giggle as she noticed all the O’Rourke brothers craning their necks to get a better look. She stared up at her sister. “Hey, yourself. How’d it go today? Everything run smoothly?”
“No problems at all. I’ve got it all under control,” Steffy answered, her neck straining to try to get a glimpse of the brothers. It didn’t take long before Rory was strolling over.
“Did I hear this is your sister?” he asked Ava.
“You did. Rory, this is Stephanie. Steffy, Rory.”
He extended his hand. “It’s great to meet you. You two work together?”
Stephanie shook his hand. “Usually. Well, except for the time she’s been working here.”
“I see.”
“Are you the one Ava tells me plays in a band?”
“I am. And what else did your sister tell you about me?”
“Just that you were hot as hell,” Stephanie admitted brazenly.
That had the man grinning. “Did she now?”
“Steffy!” Ava groaned out.
Jameson approached the counter and glared at Rory. “Don’t you have work to do?”
Rory pushed off the counter, gave Stephanie a wink, and sauntered off.
“Something we can do for you?” Jameson asked Ava’s sister.
“I, um, just came by to let her know how things went at the office today.”
Jameson nodded. “You all caught up now? She needs to get back to work.”
Stephanie’s eyes moved between Jameson and Ava. “Um, yes, I suppose that was all.”
“You don’t have to be rude to her,” Ava snapped at him.
He pinned her with a piercing look.
Stephanie interrupted before fireworks went off. “That’s okay. I’m leaving. No problem.”
“Steffy, you don’t have to leave,” Ava insisted.
“Yes, she does.”
“No, she doesn’t!”
“Bye, Ava,” Stephanie whispered as she made a hasty retreat out the door.
“You’re insufferable, you know that? What did she ever do to you?”
“I don’t need her in here distracting everyone from their jobs. She did what she came for and left. It’s over.”
“She sure was gorgeous. Your sister single, Ava?” Liam grinned from his station, knowing it was getting to his brother.
“Little sister is off limits!” Jameson snapped, pointing his finger at Liam.
“You suck the fun out of everything, you know that?”
“What about big sister?” Max asked with a wink at Ava.
“She’s off limits, too.”
“Figures,” Liam grumbled.
“All bets on that one are off once you strut down that catwalk, Bro.” Max warned Jameson, rubbing it in.
Jameson glared at him.
Max just grinned back. “Just layin’ it out there.”
When Jameson stalked off, Max strolled over to Ava and leaned down to whisper, “It is so much fun getting him riled up. He hasn’t been this riled up since Crystal worked here.”
Ava frowned. “Crystal?”
“He had a thing for her. She used to have your job.”
“Oh, really? What happened?”
“She left on the back of a bike with an MC patch-holder out of California.” When Ava frowned her confusion, Max elaborated. “Member of an MC called the Evil Dead. Some guy she’d been in love with when she lived there. Apparently they’d never gotten over each other. Eventually he came looking for her.”
“And Jameson was in love with her?”
“He won’t admit it, but he was. We all saw it.”
“That must have really torn him up, her leaving like that.”
“Yeah. He hasn’t really been happy since.”
“I see.”
Chapter Eight
The next night at closing time, Ava was alone with Rory. He had one last customer coming in that he’d agreed to stay late for. Jameson had left earlier in the evening, and Max and Liam both had just left. Ava had some new photos that she wanted to upload to the computer files, and she’d offered to stay with him.
“So, this band you’re in… do you also write any of the songs?”
“Matter of fact, I just finished one last night. Want to hear it?”
“Yes. I’d love to.”
He walked to her desk and pulled a file up on his phone. “I uploaded this last night.”
She took in the screen. He was playing the guitar, strumming softly in acoustic. Then he began to sing, and she was struck dumb by how beautiful his voice was. It was a romantic ballad about lost love. She stared up at him, open-mouthed. “Oh my God, Rory. That’s amazing. But I thought you were a heavy metal rock band.”
“We are. When the guys get a hold of this, they’ll speed up the tempo, add a lot of bass and searing guitar solos. You won’t recognize it when they get done with it.”
She frowned up at him. “But why? It’s so beautiful now. Haunting, really. Is that what you want? Them to change it?”
He shrugged. “It doesn’t fit the band like this.”
“Have you ever thought of going on your own? Perhaps you should keep this one for yourself.”
He grinned at her. “Invoking mutiny and anarchy amongst the band, little one?”
“I’m just saying that I like it as it is.”
He shrugged. “Maybe. We’ll see.”
“You’re very good.”
“Thanks, Ava.”
She watched as he walked over and flipped some music on the system. Loud rock pulsed through the room.
“This is Convicted Chrome.”
She nodded. They were good. Really good, but still… she hated to think of that lovely love song turned into just another raging heavy-metal dirge.
The door opened and Rory’s customer walked in. Rory looked over. “Hey, man.”
“Hey, thanks for staying for me. I had a double shift.” The man was in hospital scrubs.
“No problem, Aaron. We need to get the shading filled in on that shoulder piece. Hopefully the line work is all healed.
Sorry this was the only day I could fit you in. Hate to make you sit for an hour after working all day.”
“Hey, sitting will be relaxing after the night I’ve had. We had a three-car pileup out on the interstate and two heart attacks. The ER was non-stop. I’m looking forward to putting in the ear buds and zoning out to some music.”
“Right this way, then. Let’s get started.” Rory led Aaron back to his station.
Ava got back to work, finishing the photo uploads and organizing the images as best she could. She was also responsible for managing the shop’s social media sites and posting shots of some of their latest tattoos. After she finished all that, she took a moment to check her phone for any text messages from Stephanie about work, and then she checked her calendar.
Oh, crap! She frowned down at it. Between juggling her own business and Brothers Ink, she’d completely forgotten a report she had coming up for the next city council meeting. She bit her lip, turning to look at Rory who was just getting started on Aaron’s tattoo. She hated to interrupt him, but if she left now, rather than waited until he finished the work which could be more than an hour, she might just have enough time to get home and get the report ready.
Getting up, she walked over to Rory’s station.
He glanced up at her. “Need something, sweets?”
“Mind if I take off? I just remembered some work I have to get done tonight.”
“Yeah, give me a minute, and I’ll walk you out.”
“You don’t need to do that. I’m parked right out front.”
“Ava—”
“Rory, I’ll be fine. I promise.”
“You’re right outside?”
“Yes.”
“All right, girl. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow.” She hurried to her desk, shut down her computer, and grabbed up her purse and jacket. As she hurried out the front door, she called goodbye once more.
Rory glanced up from his customer. “Honk your horn when you get inside your car, so I know you’re safe.”
She rolled her eyes. “I will.”
She hurried out to her car. Climbing inside, she locked the door and tapped the horn. Then she fired it up and pulled out of her spot. It was late and the town was nearly deserted. Shops were long past closed. Even the restaurants were already dark.