VANCE

by Hawkes, Leila

  So, by the time my shift ends, I am actually almost looking forward to going out with Jules. A change of scenery might get my mind off Vance and put me back on an even keel.

  Because I can’t afford to run a car, and the Cherry Tree is only a half an hour walk to where I live, I usually head back through town on foot. Pikeshaw, the town I’d been born and raised in, is a pretty ordinary, out-of-the-way place. Nestled amongst the mountainous grandeur of West Virginia, it is a sprawl of office buildings, industrial units and sleepy suburbs. It had once been a thriving community but now most people my age see it as a dead end town. They want to get away as soon as they can and make it big in the cities.

  Not me though. I prefer the general quietness, and on my days off I normally go hiking in the forests or sketch the landscapes. I have always been into art and nature, and I find it very relaxing. I know to others I come across as more of a retiree rather than a woman in my twenties, but I can’t help the way I am. To me, spending my life jumping in and out of disastrous relationships and sharing all my dramas on social media isn’t the way to go.

  As I think about the Drakes with their expensive clothes and fancy car, I begin to wonder if I am missing out on something. I clamp down on my longings angrily. I’d had enough excitement with Dominic to last me a lifetime.

  Painful memories began to surface, and I manage to make myself utterly miserable by the time I arrive at the olive green craftsman bungalow I share with my Aunt Shelley. Captain Razzamataz scampers into the hallway as I open the front door. I bend down and pat his orange-furred head and he purrs with pleasure.

  “Hey, baby,” I croon to him, closing the door and following the cat as he bounds off toward the kitchen. “You want something to eat?”

  Captain Razzamataz meows, ignores the plate of food already set out for him and waits by the treat draw instead. He isn’t supposed to have too many, but I just can’t resist those big green eyes of his.

  “Aunt Shelley,” I call out, after I’ve given Razzamataz his treats. “You there?”

  I head into the living room to find her playing Wii tennis,with a look of fierce concentration on her face. “Shush!” she says. “I’m concentrating.”

  Though Aunt Shelley is nearly ninety, she can still move with all the agility of Captain Razzamataz. She’d come to live with me after Mom died, and thought ostensibly I am supposed to be looking after her, she is more than capable of looking after herself, and me for that matter.

  “Sorry,” I say. “I just wanted to let you know I’m going out later with Jules.”

  “Good,” Aunt Shelley grunts, mid swing. “I can invite Frank over.”

  I frown. “Who’s Frank? I thought you were dating Jim this week.”

  “Dumped him,” Aunt Shelley replies, executing a killer serve, “got no stamina. Frank can go for hours on the Wii.”

  “That sounds . . . great,” I say, making a face. “I’m going to have a bath.”

  “I’ll fix you some spaghetti and meat balls,” Aunt Shelley replies. “Don’t come home until you’ve found a boyfriend.”

  “I’ll try real hard,” I drawl. “Just for you.”

  I leave Aunt Shelley to her exertions and head to my bedroom. Slipping off my clothes and putting on a bath robe, I head into the bathroom to run the water. A soapy bubble bath is just what I need, and my aching body responds eagerly to the caress of the hot water. As I sink into its deep embrace my mind relaxes as well. Vance returns to my thoughts, and I close my eyes picturing every perfect detail of him. His glacial eyes sparkle before me, and the thought of his roguish smile sends a tremor down my spine. I imagine his toned, moccasin dark body pressed against mine and those full, luscious lips brushing against my own quivering mouth. I widen my legs and my breathing hitches, as tingly heat laps through me. I bite my lip against the maelstrom of sensations Vance has unleashed deep inside my being. I haven’t felt like this about a man in a long, long time, and I am both intoxicated and frightened at the prospect.

  As my head clears, Estelle Drake sashays straight through my erotic musings, bringing with her the cold spectre of reality. It is just my luck that I’d met the man of my dreams, and he just so happened to be married. But that couldn’t be helped. Maybe Jules and Aunt Shelley are right, perhaps I do need a man.

  I finished my bath, wrap my fluffy robe around me and get to work on drying my hair and applying make-up. A little while later Aunt Shelley calls me to the kitchen for dinner. After I’d eaten, I start to plan my outfit. I decide to go with my white dress with the black polka dots, along with the black tights and suit jacket. With the outfit I opt for my dark red heels. I wear my hair loose, and the ensemble makes me feel quite the sexual goddess when I check myself out in the mirror. Dressed like this, maybe tonight will be my lucky night.

  As soon as I the thought enters my head, I feel the sharp knife of anxiety twist in my gut. What if I do meet the man of my dreams tonight, and he falls for me? It would only be a matter of time before he discovers my past, and all of my problems and dumps me. I don’t think I could handle having my heart trampled over again. I guess I could just go with the flow and pick up a man just for pleasure. I consider the idea for a moment. It seems to work for Jules, but it just doesn’t appeal to me. I am all for women taking charge of their sex lives and going after what they want, but I want to make a deeper connection with a man, not just enjoy the physical act for its own sake. I huff in frustration and my shoulders slump. Personal stuff is just too damn complicated. I much prefer focusing on my career prospects.

  But I am still determined to put all that emotional junk to one side tonight and relax. I check my phone and see I’ve had a text from Jules. She wants me to meet her at the Reptile Club at eight. I feel a little disappointed at her choice of venue. The Reptile is a bit of a dive, and attracts its fair share of barflies and sleazy men. I’d spotted Harvey in there a couple of times in the past.

  Still, I am committed now, and there am no way to back out of it. At around half seven, I make sure I am still looking a million dollars and set off into town.

  Chapter 3

  Just as I was afraid of, the night turns into something of a disaster. The Reptile is packed even though it is a Wednesday, and Jules drinks far too much. Music blares, hammering into my skull and Jules spends most of the night dancing on the bar with some of her wild friends who have come out to join her at the last minute. They are something of a clique, and don’t really speak much to me, so I am left alone to fend off the unwanted advances from several middle-aged men. I stick it for an hour or so, before I decide enough is enough and decide to go home. I manage to communicate my intentions to an inebriated Jules and escape before she can stop me.

  The air outside is refreshingly cool, a healing tonic after the noise and heat of the Reptile. It is pretty quiet, and the taxi rank is only a short distance away. I decide to make for it and get a ride home. Jeb will be working tonight, and I’ll make sure he goes back to the Reptile Bar in a little while to collect Jules. It is a regular routine when I go out with her, and Jeb will make sure she goes back with him no matter how much she might protest. I don’t trust the clique to look out for her, so it gives me some peace of mind to know she’ll at least get home in one piece.

  Hanging by the door to the bar is a young punk I’d spotted inside earlier. He is smoking, and everything about him screams wannabe gangster. He’d eyed me up when I’d been standing at the bar, and I’d steadfastly ignored him. He notices me again.

  “Hey,” he calls out, “you not going yet, are ya?”

  “Yes,” I say stiffly. “I have work in the morning.”

  “Hey, hold up,” he says quickly moving to catch up with me. He moves round so he is blocking me from my destination. Whiskey fumes come off his breath in thick waves. “Don’t go yet, babe. It’s still early.”

  “Sorry, but I have to,” I reply, trying to remain polite. I make a mental note to have Jeb come round straight away and collect Jules. I don’t want her get
ting hit on by a creep like this.

  “Come on, babe. Stay for another drink. We can have a party on our own,” the punk insists. He is pressing in close, and his hand grips my arm.

  “Please, let me go,” I say, feeling the rising tide of panic. We are only a few feet from the bar. Maybe if I scream loud enough someone will come out and investigate.

  “Don’t be like that,” the man says with an edge of menace in his voice. “I’m just being friendly.”

  I become aware of the purr of an engine, and suddenly spot a blue sports car pull up alongside us.

  “Holly?” Vance Drake’s rich voice drapes the air like silk. I turn to see him looking at me from the open driver’s window. “Everything okay here?”

  A surge of relief goes through me, and I hold myself back from rushing over to the car. “I’m on my way home,” I say. I shoots a glance at the punk. “Well, I’m trying to at any rate.”

  Vance nods. “Get in. I’ll give you a ride.”

  “Hey man, I’ll walk her home,” the other man butts in. His hand on my arm tightens, an ugly look twists his face. “Beat it. We don’t need you spoiling the party.”

  “Let me go!” I hiss, my legs trembling with fear. “I just want to go home!”

  With wolf-like grace, Vance slips out of the car. His disarming grin is plastered on his face, but I see iron in his eyes. It makes me more frightened of him than the punk. “My friend doesn’t want to party with you,” he says brightly. “I suggest you go find someone with a little less taste.”

  “You think you can take me!” the man snarls. He releases his grip on my arm and pushes his face into Vance’s. He is a little shorter than Vance, but that doesn’t seem to bother him. He bristles with aggression.

  Vance, still smiling pleasantly, moves with lightning speed. I stare wide-eyed as he twists the punk’s arm behind his back and thrusts him face first into the wall of the club.

  “We can do this one of two ways, my friend,” Vance says in a soft voice. “First, you can just walk away and carry on being pond scum, or second, I can put you in the hospital and you’ll be eating fluids through a straw sticking out of your butt for the next six months.”

  The punk makes to retort, but Vance twists his arm harder. I wince at the brutality of the motion and look around, concerned that someone might see or a cop might pass by. The last thing I want is to spend the night in jail.

  “Okay, okay,” the man whines. “Let me go. I won’t cause any trouble.”

  Vance lets him go and steps away. “Have a good evening.”

  The punk shoots him an ugly look and stalks away. I shudder as he passes me by, and my stomach lurches.

  “Are you okay?” Vance asks in a concerned voice. He draws closer, and the danger he’d exuded evaporates. I have to fight the urge to reach out and hug him.

  “Yes, thank you,” I say, hearing the shakiness in my voice.

  “You don’t sound all right,” he replies gently. “Come on, get in the car. I’ll take you home.”

  I let him guide me to the car, and I sink into the luxurious passenger seat. My heart is still pounding hard and I can’t believe that Vance appeared out of nowhere in my moment of need. My head starts to swim and I close my eyes.

  “You don’t look well,” Vance says, getting in next to me. “In fact, you’ve gone very pale.”

  I open my eyes and meet the intensity of his gaze. There seemed to be genuine concern in his expression and I feel a warm sensation go through me. I breathe deeply. “I’m okay,” I say, mustering a smile. “It’s just the shock. I feel better now. Thank you so much for sorting out that guy. You were amazing!” I realise how gushing I must sound, and dip my eyes. “Thank you.”

  “Thank you,” he says. “It’s not every day I get called amazing.”

  “I find that hard to believe,” I blurt out. “Your wife is a very lucky woman.”

  His mouth quirks and his nostrils flare a little. “I’m not sure she would agree.”

  A heavy silence settles, and I sense that Mrs Drake is a sensitive subject. “Anyway, thanks for your help. I really appreciate it. If you don’t mind dropping me at the taxi rank I can get a cab home.”

  “I’m not leaving you now, Holly,” he scoffs. “I wouldn’t be much of a knight in shining armour if I just dumped you now, would I? I’ll take you straight home.”

  I tingle again, impressed by how well mannered he is. I also feel a sense of disappointment that our time together is going to be over soon. I want to get to know him better, though of course that isn’t right. He is married, and therefore strictly a no-go area. My gaze lingers on his strong bare arms, now on display thanks to the tight black t-shirt he is wearing. It flatters his physique, and the dark jeans he wears compliment the shirt perfectly. I edge closer, breathing in his spicy aftershave.

  “Thanks,” I say, trying not to sound too crushed. “It’s real kind of you.”

  He doesn’t answer straight away, and gives me an unreadable response. “Um, if you’re feeling better maybe we don’t have to go back straight away,” he says tentatively.

  My eyes widen. “Excuse me?”

  “What I mean is, I’ve got a few hours to kill and I want to explore your fair town,” Vance goes on quickly. “It’s a little early for me to go back to the hotel. Maybe we could grab a cup of coffee somewhere? I bet you could do with a hot drink.”

  The gears of my mind work through the implications of what he is saying. I want to jump at the chance of spending more time with him, but reservations still gnaw at my resolve. “Won’t Mrs Drake be wondering where you are?” I ask. “Is she still at the hotel?”

  Vance forms his mouth into a thin line. “Estelle has one of her legendary migraines,” he says in a tone coated with sardonic weariness. “She’s resting in our room, and the last thing she wants me crashing around. I’ve been banished for the duration.” He shoots me a sideways glance and his eyes dance with mischief. “Come on, Holly, let’s go out and play. I’ll buy you ice-cream and a soda pop.”

  He is so impressively sweet-natured, I have to laugh. “Okay,” I say, powerless to resist his boyish charms, “but I still need to stop off at the taxi rank. I need to make sure Jules gets a ride home.”

  “Jules? You mean that crazy maid that works at your place?”

  “You know her?” I ask, surprised.

  Vance nods enthusiastically. “We ran into each other earlier. She’s a very vivacious soul.”

  “I’m sorry if she caused you any trouble,” I reply, feeling mortified. “She’s been told about pestering guests before.”

  “Oh she isn’t any trouble,” Vance replies. “I like her. I don’t want her to get into any trouble.”

  “Okay, but if she gets too annoying just tell me and I’ll have a word with her.”

  “Will do, but I doubt that will be necessary. So, you’re friends then?”

  I shrug. “I suppose we are, kind of. Jules seems to be friends with everyone.”

  “She couldn’t say enough good things about you earlier,” he replies. He gives me another of his piercing looks. “I’m glad she likes you, it means she has good taste.”

  I look at him in bafflement, unable to find a suitable response. I feel my cheeks going red.

  “Don’t get embarrassed,” he chuckles. “You’re a very nice person, Holly. Now, where’s this taxi rank you want me to go to?”