by Gina LaManna
Up on the small, dinky stage stood Clay, belting out the lyrics to an incredibly un-Clay-like rap song. His eyes were closed, his body moving to the beat, completely oblivious to our entrance. Laurelei stood at the front of the bar, and I believe she was either attempting to break dance or failing catastrophically at yoga.
“I’ve never looked at Clay like that before,” Meg said. “I didn’t know he could be so...real. Dang, what a man.”
Clay continued to rap about activities that could put him in jail, body parts of women that I’d never realized he knew existed, and weeds that may or may not be legal. He did this all in perfect harmony with the track. To say Clay’s hidden talent surprised the heck out of me would be a drastic understatement.
Meg let out a long, loud whistle using her pinky fingers. Clay opened his eyes, the lyrics screaming to an abrupt halt. The track continued playing, and the few stragglers left in the room cast confused glances at one another.
“Song’s over.” Clay stepped down from the stage and marched towards us, anger burning in his eyes. “I didn’t think you were here. Why didn’t you say something?”
“We were too busy being kidnapped,” I said. “Sorry about that.”
“I checked that you were safe before I put my name down on the list,” Clay grumbled. “I just figured you guys were being all huggy and kissy now that you were rescued. I’m not that type.”
“Apparently not,” I said, “considering the lyrics coming out of your mouth.”
Clay flushed a burning shade of red. “I didn’t, it’s just—”
“Is that what you listen to while you’re putzing on the computer?” I asked.
“I don’t putz. I tinker.” Clay crossed his arms. “And it has a nice beat.”
Meg, with stars in her eyes, reached out and grasped Clay in a huge bear hug. “That was beautiful. That was...that was something else.”
Clay looked like an uncomfortable teddy bear being squeezed by an overzealous two-year-old.
“Really?” he squeaked. “You liked it?”
When Meg finally pulled away, I did a double take. There were tears in her eyes.
“I mean it,” she said. “You really nailed it. There’s nothing like a beautiful karaoke song done just right.”
Puffing his chest up ever-so-slightly, Clay tried to look nonchalant. “It’s nothing.”
I so wanted to roll my eyes but, in its own way, the moment was too sweet and it wasn’t for me to spoil. I was still rooting for Meg and Clay deep down, and this seemed like a giant step in the right direction.
Meg, no doubt, was hot and bothered, all thanks to Clay’s little rap number.
“Meg, isn’t your name up there?” I asked. “I think more people are leaving, and that bouncer just fell asleep. We should shut this place down right.”
Meg fanned herself. “Yes, but what I didn’t tell you is that I need some assistance.”
Before I could stop her, Meg yanked my wrist so hard I sling-shotted across the bar and landed on the stage right next to her.
“No, no. You don’t understand – I don’t sing.” I waved my hands, flapped my arms, tried my hardest to climb down from the stage, but Meg had cinched her arm firmly around my waist.
“Stop moving, chickadee. You’re making this difficult.” Meg tsked under her tongue. “Don’t worry, I picked a song you’ll know.”
I stopped struggling, hoping Meg would let me go so I could make a mad dash out of the bar. Unfortunately, she wasn’t fooled. She didn’t let up in the slightest. My heart started to beat faster and faster as I watched Anthony, Nora, and Leanne all file back into the bar.
“I can’t do this—” I started.
“Leanne, can I borrow you?” Meg called. “I need some assistance for this song.”
Leanne looked surprised for a moment, and then her startled expression faded into a beaming grin. “It’d be my pleasure.”
“You know, I didn’t like you at first,” Meg said, as Leanne joined us on stage. “Mostly because you’re rocking those boots almost as good as me, and I don’t like competition of the legs. But I suppose we wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you, so we can be friends.”
“That’s really nice,” Leanne said. “It means a lot to me. Girlfriends are hard to find.” She turned to me. “And any Luzzi is a friend of mine. Especially after everything Carlos did for us regarding the diamonds.”
I froze. “What?”
Leanne paused. “You didn’t know? I thought...” Realization dawned on her face. “I see now why you were so confused about everything.”
“Please, do explain. Meg, let me go.” I stepped closer to Leanne. Meg must have believed I wouldn’t run away, since she let me go and began recruiting Nora to join us on stage.
“I’m the one who asked Carlos for help. Additional resources,” Leanne said. “Our force out here is so small that it’s difficult to have enough manpower for certain jobs. When I discovered the diamond guys using our highway intersections to do their business, I asked Carlos if he’d look into it.”
“Why would he do that?” I asked. “No offense, but...Carlos usually only acts in the interests of his Family.”
“I think you’d be surprised.” Leanne’s face softened. “He cares a lot about our small town. He used to host summer picnics, knew everyone around here. He hasn’t been to the cabin in years – I think it holds bad memories for him of—” she cut off abruptly.
“Of my mother,” I supplied.
She nodded. “I remember when I was a kid, Carlos came up and hosted these huge parties. He let us run all over his boats, the docks, his lawn. He had the best driveway for kickball.”
“So you’re saying Carlos cares enough about Tonka to lend a helping hand out of the kindness of his heart?” I asked, a hint of skepticism in my voice.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying,” Leanne said. “Carlos has his, er, reputation. But that’s the exterior shell. The man inside is quite different.” She leaned in. “But you’ll never catch me saying that aloud to anyone else. I’d fear for my life.” She laughed. “And I’m only halfway kidding.”
“Hunh.” I shook my head, still processing. “No wonder he didn’t explain himself more. But jeesh, if he’d just given me a little more information, we could’ve worked together.”
Leanne reached out and laid her hand on my shoulder. “I mean it. Any Luzzi is a friend of mine. You’re welcome and protected in Tonka anytime.”
“Same to you,” I said. “Come to the Cities with your fiancé sometime. We can double date; it’ll be fun.”
“I’d like that.” She smiled, and the two of us turned back to face Meg.
I’d almost forgotten that Meg had been busy wrangling backup singers for her final karaoke performance of the trip. Nora was already on stage, stretching her hamstrings.
“Nora, why are you stretching?” I asked. “It’s just singing.”
“It’s not just singing.” Nora sounded offended. “It’s the ancient art of karaoke.”
She pronounced it with a fancy flourish that made Leanne and me crack up.
Meg turned to us and announced with a frown, “This is a five person song, but there’s only four of us ladies left in the bar. We’ll have to make do. No matter, I’ll sing two parts – I’ve done it before.”
“What song?” I started, already dreading the answer.
In response, Meg just smiled. “Listen.”
She cranked on the stereo. I hardly expected it, but to my surprise and relief, my dismay faded almost immediately.
“This is a great song,” I said. “I’m okay with this.”
The four of us lined up – Nora, Meg, me, and Leanne – and looked out at the audience.
The audience now consisted of two people: Anthony and Clay. Laurelei had disappeared to check on the unconscious bouncer, but I had no doubt she’d be back.
“Oh, hold on a second,” I said, stepping off the stage. My gauze was coming unwrapped and flapping in my eyes. “W
e can’t have this impeding my dancing. Anthony, can you hold my head bandage?”
Anthony took the bandage, the gauze tinged a bit red with blood, as he gave an almost giddy smile to Clay.
“How lucky am I?” Anthony said. “Most guys are asked to hold their girlfriends’ purses. This is so much better.”
I climbed back on stage as Spice Girls rumbled to life on the speakers.
“Is this Wannabe?” Clay asked, his eyes widening in shock. I glanced down at Meg, who was practically drooling as she looked at Clay in surprise.
“If you tell me you know the words to this song, I’m yours forever,” Meg declared. “I’ve never in my life found a man who’s got such an eclectic and excellent taste in music.”
“Only if I can sing Scary Spice’s part,” Clay said, climbing onto the stage.
Anthony’s cheeks turned pink, as if worried I’d drag him up as well, but I shook my head at him.
“Don’t worry,” I mouthed. I could hear his sigh over the music.
Then the lyrics started, and our out of tune, window-shattering, floor-rumbling singing gave Gabe’s bar the best grand finale it’d ever seen.
Chapter 42
CALLS OF GOOD NIGHT filtered across the driveway in front of the Luzzi cabin. Leanne and a fellow cop had joined forces and shuttled Clay, Nora, Meg, Anthony, and me home in the wee hours of the morning. We waved goodbye, promising to meet up with one another as our tired feet stumbled up the path.
“They’re still here?” I groaned, nodding towards the Fiat.
“It doesn’t matter now,” Meg said, glancing out of the corner of her eye at Clay. “We’re leaving in the morning anyway. Maybe we’ll have to share rooms for tonight. Maybe I’ll see if Dan’s available.”
“There’s plenty of space. No need to share rooms.” Clay’s voice came out edgy and firm. “We can use the other guest rooms, the pull out on the porch, and the couches in the living room. Those’ll be more comfortable.”
Meg winked at Clay. “Where are you sleeping?”
Clay mumbled something, but I was too tired to get caught up in their banter. All I wanted tonight was to tumble into bed next to Anthony and have him pull me tight. If I could fall asleep in his arms and sleep for twelve hours straight, I’d be a happy girl.
“Lacey, come here for a second.” Anthony grasped my wrist, sliding his hand around mine until our fingers interlocked.
“I’m tired, Anthony. I’m really looking forward to bed. And sleep.” I added the last part on just so he didn’t get any ideas.
He gave a low laugh that told me he understood. “It won’t take long. And it’s relaxing, I promise.”
“Does it involve food?”
“As a matter of fact, it does.” Anthony raised an eyebrow at me. “But it’s not lost on me that the thought of food will keep you awake, but a romantic, one-on-one stroll along the beach with me is enough to put you to sleep.”
I shrugged. “In all fairness, you knew what you were getting into when you asked me to be your girlfriend.”
“I didn’t even tell you the type of food.” Anthony feigned offense.
“I don’t discriminate.” I couldn’t stop the grin from turning my lips upward. “Plus, I know you have far more exquisite taste than I do, so anything you eat will be fine by me.”
“If by exquisite you mean that I don’t drown my sandwiches in ketchup, then yes, I guess that would be accurate.” Anthony’s grin matched mine.
I started to perk up, a little flutter of excitement in my stomach. We walked a few more steps, passing the boathouse at the edge of the property, a small shack probably built for the beaten-up boat next to the dock – the boat Carlos said we could use. Not the yacht.
When my foot stepped from grass onto the sandy beach, I paused.
I pecked Anthony on the cheek and clasped his hands in mine. “Can you hang on for a second?”
Anthony didn’t respond, as I was already halfway up the hill, jogging back towards the cabin. I raced through the open screen door, finding Nora and Meg chatting in low tones over the kitchen table, Clay digging in the fridge for a non-existent snack.
They looked up at my entrance.
“Thank you,” I said, out of breath. “For a great weekend. Meg, thank you for offering yourself as a sacrifice to work as an assistant and spare me from The Fish. Nora, thank you for the cow. Stuffed cow,” I clarified, at the sight of Meg’s curious expression. “And thank you for everything you said. Clay – thank you for demonstrating your amazing rap skills.”
Nora and Meg looked at one another. At the same time, they swiveled their heads back towards me. “Go.”
“But—” I hesitated.
Nora and Meg both shook their heads.
“You can buy me a real vacation some other time,” Meg said. “Plus, Halloween is coming up, so maybe I’ll just redeem any outstanding favors and force you to dress up with me.” Meg rested her elbow on the table. “Ooh, that’s got me thinking. What sort of costume should I go with?”
Nora’s eyes flashed with excitement. “I love to dress up!”
“Then it’s settled. Costume brainstorming is now in session.” Meg slapped the table, using her fist like a gavel. “We need to get Lacey into something good.”
“I’ll be the note-taker.” Nora retrieved a pen and paper from the drawer, and I took the opportunity to slip away unnoticed.
“Had to take care of some business,” I explained, rejoining Anthony on the shore. We continued at an easy pace down the beach.
“Where are we headed?” I looked up at him. “We have to stay out here for at least an hour. Nora and Meg are researching Halloween costumes, and we don’t want to be anywhere near that business.”
“An hour?” Anthony’s lips twisted in an amused smirk. “I can handle that.”
I gave him a light slap on the shoulder. “I didn’t mean that. I meant—”
“Shh. Neither did I.” Anthony spun me around so I faced him. He kissed my forehead, then glanced over my shoulder. “Are you ready?”
“For what?” I liked the feel of his hands wrapped tightly around my biceps, his chest so close to mine I could sense his heartbeat through our clothing.
“Your chariot awaits,” he murmured.
I didn’t have time to wonder before Anthony covered my eyes with his hand and twirled me in a circle. When he removed the makeshift blindfold, my mouth opened in surprise.
“What is this?” I glanced up at Anthony, then back at the sight before us.
Carlos’s smaller boat, a bit battered and worn, had been turned into a floating island complete with twinkling fairy lights, blankets galore, and...Marco?
Mini-Mario Lopez stood on the dock dressed in a fancy caterer’s attire: black trousers, crisp white shirt, and a floppy bowtie. He dipped low in a bow, and when he straightened up gave us a kind smile. Candlelight flickered off his still shiny face, though his unibrow had separated into two distinct pieces, probably the result of some serious tweezer action.
“After I torment you all weekend for Nora, I now make up for it.” Marco gestured to the boat.
I glanced between Anthony and Marco before taking a tentative step forward.
The boat dazzled against the water. A picnic blanket covered the middle, on it a beautiful spread of prosciutto, cheese, and crackers. But the best part of all was the sheer amount of pillows and blankets stuffed onboard. The boat was lined with so much fluff it looked like a giant, floating beanbag chair. Except bigger, and a lot more stable.
“What is this?” I looked to Anthony for an answer.
He shifted from one foot to the other. “During the mix of everything that happened tonight, I discovered Marco’s reason for being here. I heard all about Nora’s brilliant idea of terrorizing you with romantic prospects until you spilled the beans about us.” Anthony looked down. “I’m guessing that’s something the two of you discussed at the water tower?”
I nodded. “I know you wanted to tell them sooner, an
d I’m sorry we didn’t. I didn’t mean to keep it a secret, not really.”
Anthony waved his hand in dismissal. “This whole thing is partially my fault. Don’t apologize.”
“But this?” I gestured to the boat.
“I encouraged Marco to set up a private space for us. To give us the opportunity to enjoy each other’s company alone for a change. Some food, some wine, a few candles...” Anthony suddenly looked sheepish. “I don’t know what goes into these romantic dates.”
“What he is trying to say is that he threatened me.” Marco jumped down from the dock, a huge smile on his face. “But I know, deep down in my heart, that is Anthony’s way of asking me for help in wooing his lady.”
I grinned. “Thank you, Marco. This is lovely.”
“Now, you just have to choose. Me or him.” Marco pointed between himself and Anthony. “I can go on the boat with you, if you like.”
My eyes widened in fear. “What?”
Marco broke into a grin. “I kid, I kid. There’s gas in the boat. Enjoy, ragazzi.”
I exhaled in relief.
“Are you ready?” Anthony took my hand and led me onto the boat. Marco untied the rope from the dock, sending us off with a buon voyage and a plethora of airblown kisses.
“This is so romantic.” I leaned over the boat and watched the stillness of the water, the blackness broken only by the soft ripples as the pontoon-esque boat glided through the water. “I feel a little bit like Ariel. Is Sebastian going to start singing Kiss the Girl?”
“I had planned to take you on the yacht, where we’d have more room. A bar, cold drinks, couches.” Anthony didn’t quite meet my eye. “But the cleaning crews haven’t quite figured out how to remove the surprise decorations from the carpet.”
“This is so much better.” I curled my legs under my body and snuggled up against Anthony. We were cocooned in a mass of down comforters and pillows as light as clouds. The chilliness in the air kept us just cool enough to need blankets over our feet and body heat for warmth.
When we got to the middle of the lake, Anthony shut off the motor, letting the boat drift through the waves at its leisure. With the grace of a panther, he wriggled himself into a lying position, bringing me with him. I tucked my head into the crook of his arm, and together we drifted, floating across the lake in silence and watching the stars.