Rude Awakening

by Veronica Chadwick

  “Yes. It is.” Did his voice drop a little lower? “What about you?”

  “What about me?”

  “Do you sing?”

  “Nah.”

  Maxine, who was sitting back enjoying the show, piped in. “She can sing, but she doesn’t.”

  Isaac looked from Maxine back to Jaimee. “Aw now that’s a shame. You have a nice speaking voice, I bet you sing real nice.”

  She smiled down at her tea and ran her fingertip over the rim of the glass. “Not a shame at all. I’m a middle school English teacher, it’s what I do best and I love it.” She let her gaze travel up his body before meeting his too-green eyes again. “Maybe I should get your autograph, you might be famous someday soon.”

  “Maybe you should.” He winked and walked away.

  “Oh he’s good,” Maxine said with exaggerated awe. They both laughed.

  “Did you see those eyes?” Jaimee asked.

  “Contacts.”

  “Has to be.” She took a long sip from her straw and curled her lip at Maxine. “That was downright creepy I’m tellin’ you.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “That guy isn’t much older than my students.” Jaimee shuddered. “I’m just not the cradle robber type.”

  Maxine snickered. “Maybe, but it was fun wasn’t it?”

  “Okay, yeah it was.” Had she ever even had this much fun hangin’ out and cuttin’ up with Maxine before? She definitely had never engaged in careless, meaningless flirtation with a complete stranger like that before. Flirting with Lucas had been anything but careless and meaningless. Was that pull between them even in the same category as flirtation? It was nothing like flirting with the sexy waiter. There was no sensual attraction whatsoever. It was exhilarating and fun, even if she was a little clumsy.

  Sure, when she was younger she was flirty with the guys they hung around with. She’d even been flirty with Brent, although he’d always just blushed and laughed her off. Her attempts at seductive flirtation had never been productive. Thinking back, he’d shrugged her off, made her feel silly, not stupid. After they started dating she stopped it altogether. Brent never looked at other women, not ever. He never flirted with anyone.

  A misty, melancholy thought bloomed in her mind—she didn’t miss him. Did she ever really miss him, or was it herself she missed? Unwilling to analyze what that meant she pushed it away and turned her attention to Maxine.

  They had finished their lunch and Jaimee was anxious to do some more shopping. Impulsively she gave in on that sexy dress Maxine had tried to get her to buy. So what if the dress was ridiculously extravagant and seriously daring, especially for a woman of her size? To hell with that, she wanted to make a statement. Let her outside match her inside and be bold, be Jaimee.

  “Let’s flag down Isaac, I’m ready to go. I’m gonna go get that dress.”

  “You mean the blue one? Seriously?”

  “Yeah, and I’m not gonna wear panty hose. Thanks to Sasha my legs have never been this smooth. Oh! I’m gonna need new shoes. Hey! There’s a little lingerie boutique in Green Hills that caters to larger ladies. Let’s go. I wanna see if I can carry off a pair of thongs.”

  “Oh God help me, I’ve created a monster.” Maxine chuckled as she scanned the room for their waiter.

  Isaac made his way to their table. “Leaving already, ladies?”

  “Looks like,” Maxine grinned. “Miss Thang here needs a new pair of shoes and possibly a matching thong.”

  That did it. Embarrassment burned Jaimee’s cheeks and she refused to look up from fishing through her purse for her wallet even though she could feel Isaac’s interested gaze on her.

  “Mmm, sounds hot.” He paused before quickly adding, “Hey listen, I’ll be playing tonight…here…” He wrote quickly and slid her check across the table to her. There in bold green ink was his name, an address and two, count ’em, two phone numbers. “Come see me, let me buy you dinner, show you a good time.”

  Jaimee would have laughed if she weren’t afraid she’d offend him. It wouldn’t have been directed at him anyway. It was just that the whole situation was completely foreign to her, just unreal. She glanced at Maxine’s check, careful to avoid the humor sparkling in her friend’s eyes.

  “Isaac, I’m sorry.” Ignoring Maxine’s fervent protest, she handed him cash for both their meals, including a healthy tip. “There’s a man I’m sorta, kinda seeing.”

  Unaffected by her announcement he simply flashed her another winning smile. “You got a ring and a date?”

  That took her off guard. “Well, no.”

  Isaac smiled as he separated the tip from the amount for the bill, tucked the latter into his black order pad, dropped it into the apron slung around his waist and took her hand in his. “Then you don’t have a man. That means you’re a free agent.” He placed her generous tip in her hand. “Think about it. I’ll be broken-hearted if I never get to see those…shoes.” With a wink that was quickly becoming annoying, he turned and walked away.

  *

  “He then gave her his number and returned the tip she gave him.”

  “Amateur,” Lucas growled into the cell phone. On edge already, his body tensed further and he clenched his teeth. Slamming his car door didn’t help relieve that tension either. No, the only thing that was going to give him peace at this point was putting this case to bed and then, taking Jaimee to bed and keeping her there until he could chase away all the pain that was inevitably to come.

  Thankfully he trusted the men sent to keep an eye on Jaimee. Jason Whitman was tailing them now. Saturday night Jaimee and Maxine hit the town and Lucas had been on edge since then. They’d been safe. Adrian Robertson had fit nicely into the role of bouncer, which allowed him to keep a close eye on Jaimee and Maxine.

  Whitman taunted with an exaggerated gasp. “Holy shit, Grayson’s jealous. The devil’s gonna be ice skatin’ tonight.”

  “I don’t get jealous.”

  “Right, what was I thinking?”

  “Evidently they’re going out again tonight. The Pope will tail them there. Don’t let them out of your sight.” Lucas took the steps to the motel’s second level two at a time.

  “Duh.”

  There was no one on the balcony walkway as Lucas strode quickly, glancing into each room as he went. Malaki stepped outside the room Brent had occupied just hours before and motioned to him. Lucas nodded and picked up his pace. Damn asshole got away again. The slippery fuck was beginning to seriously piss him off.

  “He left quickly, didn’t cover his tracks well. Not too bright,” Malaki reported as Lucas entered the motel room.

  “Bright enough to evade capture. Any idea who tipped him?” Lucas glanced at the officer sifting through the small trashcan for notes or anything else that might be a lead.

  “Wasn’t tipped, just bolted. The clerk said he was pretty shook up when he checked in early this morning, about one a.m., had a fat lip and what appeared to be a broken nose. Didn’t bother checking out.” Malaki nodded toward the back of the room. “Left his hair in the bathroom sink.”

  “His hair?”

  Malaki shrugged. “Guess he thought shaving his head would change his looks enough to give him an advantage.”

  Lucas didn’t even bother rolling his eyes. “The Collective knows he’s still alive.”

  “If they don’t know for sure, they suspect.”

  Lucas nodded as he finished up his search. “Then they’re looking for him too.” If they hoped to retrieve any information at all, obviously, Turner had to be found before The Collective caught up with him.

  Malaki nodded. “I have a few things to check out. Will you be available?”

  “I’m meeting Butler downtown then back to the house. You have my cell.”

  “Jaimee’s?”

  “No. She and Maxine Pruitt are going to the bar again tonight.”

  Malaki didn’t respond, just turned and left the room. After speaking with the men searching the room, Lucas left as w
ell. He was anxious to get things done, to have everything in place when the shit hit the fan. And when the shit hit the fan it wouldn’t be evenly distributed. Lucas just wanted to make clean up as quick and easy as possible for Jaimee. Until then, he was going to have to maintain some distance. For all intents and purposes she was still married and therefore, off limits. At least when all was said and done she wouldn’t hate him for knowingly adding to the mangled wreckage that was her marriage.

  Nothing was happening fast enough and it was making him crazy. As if trying to stay away from Jaimee wasn’t bad enough, listening to her tell Max she believed he’d had enough of her frustrated the hell out of him. But there was no way at this point he could reassure her. Even though she said she understood when he told her he was slammed at work, he knew she thought he was trying to get rid of her. Funny thing, it was the honest to God truth. He was slammed at work. Trying to protect her from The Collective, trying to find Brent’s idiot ass and trying not to think of her soft supple body beneath his hands was going to drive him out of his mind.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Big Phil’s Little Bit of Texas Bar and Grill was more bar than grill. Jaimee played with the amethyst heart that dangled from the black velvet choker circling her throat as they stepped into the same bar she and Maxine visited the weekend before. There were a few things she was really starting to get used to. One was Max’s stylist. Her hair had never been this full, softly curling, no, cascading down her back. Even the Brazilian wax job had its positives once she got used to the sensitivity.

  Jaimee was finally letting go of all of her stodgy inhibitions and it was incredibly liberating. The snug, deep purple lace corset Maxine talked her into buying wasn’t exactly comfortable but it wasn’t uncomfortable either. Her breasts did feel like they were extraordinarily lifted and were all but spilling out the top. She was doing a great job not giving in to the desire to tug it up. Even though she had insisted on the little black jacket, much to Maxine’s irritation.

  Nevertheless, her wild and wicked side was given free rein in her new swingy black shirt and “fuck me” boots, not to mention the barely there purple lace thong. The whole outfit had cost a fortune but it was worth it. She was actually glad that she broke out of her usual strict budget and went nuts. Hell, this outfit was a statement that she had let go of more than just her strict budget.

  “Good evening, ladies.” Adrian, the same tall handsome bouncer who greeted them last week, rested his hip on the stool and smiled.

  His dark eyes were trained provocatively on Maxine. And she was a sight to behold. Not a modest bone in that woman’s body and yet she was oozing with class. She looked fabulous in her cream and bronze, figure-hugging dress. Runway fabulous.

  “That remains to be seen now, doesn’t it?” Max teased.

  “I’ll get a short break in an hour or so. Save me a dance and it’s a guarantee.” His voice deepened.

  Max lifted a brow. “We’ll see.”

  Adrian chuckled. “Sweetness, I’m freaky, chocolate-covered and habit-forming. And yes, ma’am, you will see.”

  Jaimee was grinning. She couldn’t help it. The sparks leaping between the two fascinated her and it was obvious Max was a bit flustered; that was a new one. She and Max held out their five-dollar cover charge but he waved them away.

  “I’ve got it. Go enjoy yourselves, I’ll have some drinks sent over.” He didn’t take his eyes off Maxine. He was nice-looking. The vest he wore exposed his well-muscled shoulders and arms and smooth skin the color of dark espresso. Jaimee guessed he stood a few inches above six feet. A thick fall of long braids fell just past his shoulders. A nicely trimmed goatee framed lips made for kissing. She couldn’t blame Max in the least. He made her feel a little lightheaded as well.

  Max’s eyes narrowed but she said nothing, just watched him closely. Finally Jaimee cleared her throat and looked from Max to Adrian. “Okay, but not an amaretto sour. Tried that last week and it didn’t set well.”

  “Not a problem, sugar.” He winked.

  “Thanks.” She smiled as she took Max by the arm and led her away. “What has gotten into you?” Jaimee chuckled.

  “Nothing. I’m just trying to figure out what that man is up to.”

  “Sheesh, Max, even I know that. He wants some Maxine booty.”

  Maxine snorted. “Well he ain’t gonna get any. There’s something about him that makes me nervous.”

  Jaimee just shook her head. It took a special kinda man to unnerve Maxine. Maybe, just maybe, Miss Maxine had finally met her match.

  The DJ was doing a pretty good job. There were already a few couples dancing as Jaimee and Maxine found a table and sat down. Jaimee watched them swaying together, close, in sync, and she thought of Lucas. She should probably let go, but her heart wasn’t listening. The two times they talked since the break-in had been rushed and awkward. She believed he was swamped at work, but she just had a feeling that wasn’t all there was to it. She would let go. She would not call him or seek him out, but the very thought of not having him in her life made her heart physically hurt.

  The waitress, looking barely twenty-one herself, brought their drinks and interrupted her morose train of thought. “Okay I have a Bushwacker, light on the rum, for Jaimee, and a French Kiss for Maxine.” She sat the drinks down with a wink at Max. “Y’all need anything else? Maybe a basket of wings or something?”

  “Maybe later,” Max said, staring at the frothy pink drink. “What’s in this?”

  “Um…let’s see…raspberry schnapps, vodka, white crème de cocoa, cream—”

  “Okay, thanks.” She waved her away.

  “All righty then. I’m Sonya, if y’all need anything else just holler. I’ll check on ya later. Enjoy!” Sonya said cheerfully as she turned and sashayed away, her long red hair swinging as she walked. Maxine turned and scowled at Adrian, who blew her a kiss.

  Jaimee snickered. “Go ahead and try it. It sounds really good.”

  Maxine was a Crown Royal and Coke kind of woman; she wasn’t all about the froo froo “girly drinks” as she called them. That didn’t mean she would be a bitch about it. She took a hesitant sip. “Not bad. It’s really sweet though. How’s yours?”

  “Really good.” Jaimee took another sip. That’s when the nausea hit her. “On second thought…” Biting her lip she pushed the drink back and drew in a slow deep breath. Nope, wasn’t going to work. “Be back in a minute,” she murmured and headed for the bathroom as quickly as she could.

  A half an hour later Jaimee brushed her teeth with the little travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste she always carried in her purse and patted her face with a cool damp paper towel. She stared at herself in the mirror as she touched up her makeup. There wasn’t much to touch up, another sore spot with Maxine. But too much makeup made her feel clownish. Just some light foundation, a little blush, a little mascara, the very popular smoky eye sans the eyeliner. A touch of light plum lip gloss and that was it. With a sigh she tucked everything away and studied her image for another moment.

  She didn’t look sick and she didn’t feel sick anymore. If she didn’t know better she’d think she was pregnant, but she did know better. More than likely, she just couldn’t handle liquor. Weird. It wasn’t like this was the first time she’d ever had a drink. She’d had a few glasses of wine in her lifetime and there was that time in college when she drank a wine cooler. It had made her queasy too. Oh well, the nausea had passed. She’d just go order a soda instead. No biggie.

  With another, more wistful sigh she looked away from her reflection, tugged gently at the top of her corset and smoothed her hands down her skirt. It really was a good thing she couldn’t conceive. Lucas hadn’t made the kind of commitment that making a baby together required and she certainly didn’t want him to make one out of obligation. The last thing she wanted to do was subject a child to a life like she’d had, one that lacked a physically as well as emotionally present father. It hurt too badly. Even so, a profound wave of melanc
holy drifted over her and settled heavily in her heart.

  “Don’t be stupid, James,” she chided herself softly as she put on her jacket.

  Maxine was still waiting at the table, frowning. She’d already ordered her a soda and what appeared to be spinach dip and chips.

  “I’m okay,” Jaimee assured her as she sat down. “I guess I just don’t mix well with drinking.”

  “Not buyin’ it.” Maxine lifted a brow.

  “Can’t explain it then.” She shrugged and nibbled at a chip. It was obvious where Maxine was going with it and she’d be lying to herself if she didn’t acknowledge the fact that the thought had zipped quite quickly through her mind. Still, she had it straight from the doctor’s mouth, not possible.

  Maxine gave her a pointed look but said nothing. Just waited. Damn it was annoying the way Max could speak volumes with the subtle lift of her brow.

  “C’mon, Max, I can’t be pregnant. You know that.” Jaimee tried to smile, tried to ignore the empty feeling expanding in her heart.

  “Still think you should get a test. Just to be sure.”

  “Unnecessary. Waste of time and money.” She shook her head. “Trust me I know. I’ve wasted plenty of money and time on them.” Odd how not being pregnant was a good thing after all those years of trying, praying hoping. But it was a good thing. Especially after assuring Lucas pregnancy wasn’t possible. Turning up “with child” now would be very suspicious. Lucas would totally feel trapped if that happened. But, she reminded herself yet again, it wouldn’t happen. There was no child, would never be any child, therefore no reason to worry. Taking a sip of her soda to help swallow the lump that had formed in her throat she tried to hurriedly change the subject. “Is that drink as good as it looks?”

  Max downed the last of her French Kiss. “Nice, but now I need something with teeth.”

  “That bouncer guy has you all discombobulated.” Jaimee was happy for the chance to turn the conversation to another direction. “He’s pretty hot, Max.”

  “Yeah, but he’s cocky.”