Taking Charge

by Mandy Baggot

  “Ow! Mommy!”

  “Brad came to dinner last night,” Robyn said, changing the subject.

  “He came to our school last week and let me wear his hat,” Sienna announced.

  “Yes, he goes to a lot of the local schools and talks to them about stranger danger and road safety,” Pam informed them.

  “He didn’t tell us that! Wait ‘til I tease him about that one! Stranger danger!” Robyn said, laughing.

  “Teaching the children is very admirable,” Pam insisted.

  “Yeah, but it isn’t exactly catching the bad guys and throwing them in the lock up, is it?” Robyn answered.

  “She’s been watching too much CSI, you’ll have to excuse her,” Cole said.

  “He uses hair products, did you know that?” Robyn informed the table.

  “She eats with her fingers and has an obsession with tightening the lid on the milk,” Cole retorted.

  “Will you two stop sparring with each other? You sound like a married couple,” Bob remarked.

  “She doesn’t believe in marriage. She didn’t even have a scrapbook,” Cole said.

  “He did, but he won’t admit it,” Robyn replied.

  “Is your girlfriend really having your brother’s baby?” Sierra inquired, batting her eyelids innocently.

  Chapter Nineteen

  The pink neon sign of Taboo throbbed in front of them. Mickey and the rest of the team had been at another bar before arriving at the club, and they were already well lubricated.

  “Now, listen up. Bob has the kitty—strictly beer, no ridiculously, expensive, potent cocktails, no shots, and absolutely no tequila. I want you all to enjoy yourselves, but we do have an important game tomorrow, so let’s remember that,” Robyn said.

  Henrik repositioned a bright yellow cowboy hat on his head and loosely strung a red feather boa around Mickey’s neck. Robyn had no idea where he had got them from.

  “What about the kitty for the girls? You get special treatment if you throw money at them,” Art piped up.

  “If you want to throw money at them, Art, you knock yourself out, but you won’t be throwing my money at them,” Robyn informed him.

  “Let’s get in there, boys!” Wes shouted, pumping his fist in the air.

  “Yeah, let us go. I cannot wait to see American girls do jiggy jiggy,” Henrik said, swaying his hips.

  “OK, let’s go. Bob, get the beers,” Robyn ordered, leading the way through the doors.

  “No Grant tonight?” Cole remarked to Brad as they entered the club.

  “No, he had to work. Plus, I think he finds it difficult being around Robyn, you know,” Brad replied.

  “So he should after what his son did,” Cole said firmly.

  “Yeah, well, it wasn’t his fault.”

  “He might have taught his son right from wrong,” Cole suggested.

  “We all make mistakes, though, huh? Come on, let’s get a drink,” Brad urged, patting Cole on the back.

  Taboo had been modernized since Robyn had last been in it. She and Sarah had sneaked in via the back entrance once and dressed up in some of the dancers’ outfits. It had been fun until the owner had turned up and offered them jobs. That had been scary. Then, the club had been a seedy, run-down place for sleaze. Now it was a funky, chrome, and neon entertainment center with almost as many female customers as men.

  “Brad, give Bob a hand with the pitchers,” Robyn said as she pulled up a seat.

  “Look at girl with legs up over head. How she do that?” Henrik wanted to know, sitting down and craning his neck to see.

  “Where did you tell Sarah you were going tonight?” Wes asked Mickey.

  “Go-karting,” he replied.

  “That’s so funny! That’s what we said!” Robyn remarked, taking another handful of nuts as a blond-haired dancer came close to the edge of the stage.

  “Couldn’t exactly tell her the truth, could I? She’s been in a weird mood all day, anyway. Started throwing out a load of women’s magazines and brochures, crying and sniffing. I asked her what was wrong but she wouldn’t answer me,” Mickey continued.

  Robyn swallowed and took some more nuts. She knew she was responsible for that. She shouldn’t have told Sarah what Mickey had said about marriage. It had been cruel and unnecessary. She’d been upset and thinking of herself, and now she had upset her best friend. She would call her. She would try and make things right. She didn’t want to be responsible for a relationship breakdown.

  “Oh, I wouldn’t worry about it, that’s what women do, isn’t it? Cry and moan and make our lives that much harder,” Wes commented over the music.

  “You single, Wes?” Robyn questioned, looking at him.

  “Currently.”

  “I’m shocked.”

  “Whoa, boss is getting testy, look out,” Jon called as Bob and Brad arrived with the pitchers of beer.

  “It’s foreplay, obviously. She can’t keep her eyes off me,” Wes replied, standing up and making a grab for the beer.

  “Dream on! And I’ll have pick of the first pitcher. Bob, man, what are these glasses for? We don’t need glasses, get some straws,” Robyn said, and she proceeded to drink the beer from the pitcher.

  “She is crazy, yes?” Henrik said, watching in astonishment as Robyn downed half the pitcher in one go.

  “Yeah, that’s Robyn,” Brad remarked, watching her.

  “I want this girl; excuse me, what is name?” Henrik shouted to a dancer with long, red hair.

  “Henrik, they don’t talk to you, they just dance for you. Stick ten bucks in her panties,” Wade told him.

  “Ten bucks?” Henrik said, looking at his team mates quizzically.

  “A ten dollar bill, here, give it to me,” Mickey ordered, snapping his fingers at him.

  Henrik passed a ten along and Mickey approached the stage, put the bill in the girl’s panties, and pointed out Henrik.

  “Come on, man, she wants you!” Mickey said, beckoning him closer to the stage.

  “I feel, how do you say? Embashed?” Henrik admitted, blushing.

  “Bashful? Look, come on, don’t be a tool, man! Get up to the stage!” Wes ordered, giving him a shove in the right direction.

  “If you won’t have the dance, I damn well will,” Wade said, pushing past Henrik to get to the front.

  “Well, that should keep them entertained for five minutes. Pass me Wes’ pitcher,” Robyn said to Cole.

  “You’re going to steal their beer? Shame on you,” Cole remarked as he passed the pitcher to Robyn.

  “Well, I figured it’s okay if I drink more than them because I’m not playing tomorrow.”

  “Good plan,” he agreed.

  “Bob! More beer!” Robyn called, banging her fourth pitcher on the table.

  “Yeah, more beer!” Mickey agreed, putting his arm around Henrik and swaying back and forth.

  “So, aren’t you going into the room for the ladies?” Wes asked Robyn.

  “All the boys I need are right here,” she informed him.

  “Hey, hey, hey! I knew she had it bad for me!” Wes yelled above the music.

  “Before you get any ideas, I prefer you all with your clothes on. Preferably in pads, with sticks in your hands,” Robyn said.

  “You’re welcome in the locker room any time,” Wade remarked with a laugh.

  “Don’t say that! She’ll come in and give us a hard time about the game,” Brad told them.

  “She won’t come in. Is private, for men only,” Henrik said, spilling beer down his shirt.

  “Oh dear,” Brad said with a shake of his head.

  “I won’t come into the locker room? I’m the manager, I can go where I like,” Robyn reminded him.

  “Yes, but locker room is, how you say? Like church—is safe,” Henrik said again.

  “Hen, just quit while you’re not ahead, or she’s going to be waiting for you when you come out of the shower tomorrow,” Brad warned.

  “It’s a sanctuary? Why? You don’t want
me looking at your scrawny white butts?” Robyn asked.

  “Hey, I won Butt of the Year at the garage,” Mickey commented proudly.

  “Did anyone else enter?” Robyn asked.

  Brad let out a snort of laughter.

  “You’re my team! You’re all asexual as far as I’m concerned.”

  She couldn’t help but look to Cole. This speech was to deter unwanted attention and to highlight the professional sporting boundaries. But she had the feeling she had said the words more for her own benefit. She had to stop wondering what it would be like to…

  “I’m not sure I like being called asexual,” Mickey said.

  “Live with it, she doesn’t think you’re hot,” Wade said.

  “Brad has the best chance with Robyn anyway, they’ve dated before,” Wes reminded them.

  “Yes, well, that’s all in the past,” Robyn said hurriedly.

  “I like childish romance,” Henrik said.

  “Childhood romance,” Wade corrected.

  Brad smiled over at Robyn and she hid her face in the nearest pitcher of beer. This was awkward and not how she’d wanted the conversation to turn.

  “Aww, he’s still got it bad!” Mickey teased, jabbing Brad in the ribs with his elbow.

  “Anyway…who’s next for a dance? Wade! Which girl do you like?” Robyn wanted to know, turning away from Brad and focusing on the other player.

  “Can’t say I’m that particular, they’re all good,” he responded, licking his mouth in anticipation.

  “Here, this one’s on me,” Robyn said, passing out some dollars.

  The majority of the team whooped and hurried off to the stage with Wade.

  “We should definitely take photos,” Robyn said, laughing as she watched the team.

  She picked up a pitcher of beer, and that was when she noticed him on the other side of the room.

  Suddenly, there was no air, the music seemed to lower, the lights brightened, and she came to eye-to-eye with Jason. He was older and taller, but it was him. There was no case of mistaken identity this time. He sat at a table alone, holding a bottle of beer and looking directly at her.

  The dancer on stage had Wade backed up against a pole and was cavorting around him, while the other players cheered her on. But Robyn didn’t see it. She was practically having to force herself to breathe.

  “Cole,” she said in barely more than a whisper.

  Cole was laughing with Bob at Wade who was trying to look like he was enjoying the performance but actually looked terrified. He hadn’t heard her.

  “Cole,” Robyn attempted again, keeping her eyes on Jason.

  She thought if she looked away he might vanish into thin air and no one would believe he was ever there.

  Jason got up from his chair and began moving toward their table.

  “Cole!” Robyn screamed at the top of her voice.

  She leapt up from her chair and grabbed him by the sleeves of his t-shirt. She was shaking now and had closed her eyes tight. She couldn’t look at Jason. She clung to Cole.

  “What is it?” Cole asked, putting an arm around her and holding her trembling frame.

  She carefully turned her head away from his chest, but when she did, she came face-to-face with Jason. He was now standing right by their table.

  “Robyn, listen. Don’t freak out or anything. I…” Jason began, reaching out to her.

  “Don’t touch me! Cole, don’t let him touch me! Get him away from me!” Robyn shrieked, clinging to him.

  “Jason?” Bob questioned as if not sure.

  “Listen, I just wanted to talk to you. I mean, it’s been such a long time now, I thought…” Jason began again.

  “This is Jason?” Cole asked Robyn.

  She nodded as tears began to spill from her eyes. She had to hold herself together. She couldn’t let him see that she was still the terrified wreck she’d been back then.

  “Robyn, I didn’t do it. I said that at my trial and I’m still saying it now. I didn’t do it,” Jason said, looking straight at her.

  In one rapid movement, Cole sat Robyn down and punched Jason hard on the jaw. He crumpled and fell back into an adjacent table.

  Robyn was practically hyperventilating. She couldn’t bear to look at him. She couldn’t bear to be anywhere near him.

  “Leave him, Cole! Cole! I said leave him! I’ll go and get security,” Bob said, pulling Cole away from Jason and signaling to the bouncers on the door.

  “What the Hell is he doing here?” Brad questioned as the team hurried back to the table.

  “He’s freaking Robyn out, he tried to touch her,” Cole replied, shaking his aching fist.

  “I didn’t do what you all think I did,” Jason said as he attempted to get to his feet.

  He was winded, and his nose was bloodied and misshapen. He clung to a chair to aid him.

  “No? Well, that isn’t what the jury said, was it? Out! Now!” Brad ordered, roughly grabbing Jason’s arm and hauling him up off the floor.

  “I no understand. Who is this Jason?” Henrik queried, his cowboy hat falling over his eyes.

  “I want to go,” Robyn said, scanning the room for the nearest exit she could make it to.

  “No, he’s leaving, right now,” Brad informed them, and he wrenched Jason’s arm behind his back.

  “Robyn, please, just listen to me…” Jason begged as the security team moved toward them.

  “No one wants to listen to what you’ve got to say, it’s all lies,” Brad hissed.

  “I’m launching an appeal. They’ve got new information. I want the conviction quashed. I want my good name back, and I want Robyn to realize that I didn’t hurt her,” Jason informed him.

  “I don’t want to hear this,” Robyn said, biting her fingernails and balancing on the outside edge of her tennis shoes.

  “You had photos of her all over your bedroom wall,” Brad reminded Jason.

  “Yeah, I had a crush on her, I admitted that. She was the only girl in school that spoke to me, and I was the class dweeb,” Jason said.

  “Cole, please, make him go away!”

  “You drag all this history up again, and I’ll make sure you spend the rest of your life in a rehabilitation center,” Brad threatened.

  “I’m only going to say this once more. I did not rape Robyn, and you’re all going to find that out soon enough,” Jason informed them.

  “Get out of here!” Brad ordered, pushing him toward the doormen.

  His fist was aching but he didn’t care. When she’d said that he was her rapist, the blind fury had taken over. It was how he had felt when his father had died, how he had felt when he found out about Veronica and Bryn. But it wasn’t quite the same, because tonight the feeling hadn’t been about him, it had been about her. All he’d wanted to do was protect her. How could he feel like that about someone he had only just met? He’d promised himself never again. Caring was just too painful and it had no place in his life any more.

  Chapter Twenty

  “Ow!” Cole exclaimed as Robyn put a tea-towel containing ice on his knuckles once they got home.

  “Come on, if it’s that bad, it might be broken. Do you want to go to the emergency room?” Robyn asked, sitting next to him on the sofa.

  “No.”

  “Then quit with the dramatics.”

  “It isn’t just the hand. I got worse from our friendly hockey match the other night and Henrik jabbed me right there when he was dancing with the chair,” Cole informed her. He stood and pulled up his t-shirt, revealing a bruise on his back the size of North America she hadn’t noticed earlier.

  The washboard midriff was there again, just a few inches away. She bit her lip.

  “Who did that?” Robyn asked.

  “Brad doesn’t like getting beaten to the puck, does he?” Cole said, sitting down again.

  “No,” she agreed.

  He looked at her, his black eyes studying her face as if it was important. Like she was important. Her heart quickened a
nd she had to moisten her lips.

  “I wanna kiss you,” she said, putting the ice down on the coffee table.

  “You’re asking now?”

  “I do have some manners.”

  “What if I say no?”

  “Are you going to? Because that would be really embarrassing.”

  “I don’t know, Robyn, I think things have changed. I don’t want to do the whole random thing anymore,” Cole told her with a heavy sigh.

  “Oh, I get it. You’ve found out I’m not the easy going girl you thought I was. You found out, not only have I been raped by the town freak, but I also sleep with my boss because that’s all the relationship I’m capable of.”

  “No, it isn’t that,” Cole told her, his eyes meeting hers.

  “Don’t give me the eyes, please don’t give me that look. I don’t want your sympathy. I know I’m screwed up. I’ve told you I don’t want you to try and make me feel better, it isn’t your job.”

  She felt uncomfortable. She felt hot and she couldn’t look at him. He was sitting so close to her, and it was making her prickle with something like excitement or maybe anticipation. Whatever it was, it was indescribable.

  “Well, whose job is it? Clive’s? Because you told me when he makes love to you, you don’t feel a thing.”

  “Stop it! Don’t say that!”

  “Why, because it’s so close to the truth?”

  “I’m not some sort of project.”

  “I think you feel it when we kiss. I think you try to pass this off as something random, something unimportant, but that isn’t true, is it?” Cole continued.

  She could feel his breath on her face and, suddenly, she couldn’t focus on anything but his full, fleshy lips.

  “That sounds like psychobabble to me,” she responded, pulling at her ponytail and averting her gaze for a second.

  “Is it? Believe me, I really don’t want to feel this way, but no matter what I do, I can’t get away from the fact that we fit, Robyn. I don’t know why or how, but we fit.”

  “You’re so obviously drunk. Shame on you.”

  “I think you feel it, too, but you won’t admit it, because Clive and whatever ‘make-do’ life you have back in England is familiar—no matter how shit it is.”