23
H e couldn’t stop thinking about it. Couldn’t ever forget those delirious honey eyes when he’d pulled away from her. Couldn’t forget the brush of her soft lips against his. Angel’s heart thudded in his chest, his exhale coming out harsher than intended as he leaned back in his seat. He’d woken this morning with his head pounding and not an ounce of sleep in his system. Instead, the morning light had brought back a rush of memories he’d been trying to forget all night.
Why didn’t you do anything?
Dios, he really wanted to hear her sharp inhale again. Wanted to feel her shiver with anticipation as she had last night. Wanted to kiss those–
“Was I dreaming last night, or did you hook up with someone?”
Angel snapped out of his thoughts, his eyes rolling at Jack’s abrupt question. He clicked his tongue and leaned forward on the dining table, his hands lacing together. Jack’s insufferable grin spread. But Angel’s expression remained calm. Numb.
“What do you think?”
Luke scoffed from beside him, not having believed Jack’s blabber about Angel hooking up with someone last night. He didn’t know if he should be insulted or grateful.
“Quit playing dumb,” Jack sang and rolled his head to look at Christina who was munching on a toast, “I’m telling you I saw him with someone.”
“You were wasted. ”
Mia’s deadpan voice echoed through the empty dining area, “And I doubt Angel hooked up with anyone.”
Again. Didn’t know if he should be insulted or grateful.
A hint of doubt crept up on Jack’s face, his brows furrowing as he squinted his brown green eyes in Angel’s direction, “I’m sure you were with someone. You even growled at me to get out.”
“Firstly,” Angel responded, already exasperated. He really couldn’t have any one of them knowing about Raylene, “I don’t growl. I’m not an animal. Secondly, I was sound asleep when you banged open my doors and woke me up.”
Jack’s brows furrowed further, and Angel let the lie slip further, “So forgive me if I threw you out immediately.” He said warily.
Come on. Buy it.
Jack hummed and Luke rubbed a hand down his face, “You were wasted,” he pointed out and inclined his head in Angel’s direction, “And this one hasn’t had the time or the balls to go after any girl.”
Definitely an insult.
“The fuck?” Angel snapped and saw a smirk tug at Luke’s lips. His words weren’t wrong, but they were also completely overexaggerated. Angel had had his fair of hookups here and there. Sometimes at the clubs to get the edge off or just some girls who were looking for a good time. Of course he didn’t have the greatest track record of long-term relationships, but he’d–
Whatever.
“I’m just saying you should go out more. Meet some girls,” Luke started, his expression completely innocent as Christina interjected,
“Or boys, if that’s what you prefer.”
Angel shot her a wary look. Christina just smiled sweetly in response .
“Or boys,” Luke amending, earning himself a scalding glare as well, “Just go date around. Meet someone, they’ll be good for you and your…”
“Broodiness.” Mia completed. Luke nodded solemnly.
Angel scoffed, “Yeah, I’m not taking advice from a guy who spent half his life in a one-sided relationship,” a frown from Luke, “A wide-eyed idiot who liked a jackass .” A glare from Christina, “A guy who’s made it his life mission to flirt with every living thing,” Jack blew him a kiss, “And her.” Mia scowled at him, but Christina patted her shoulder. Solemnly agreeing completely.
“I did not like a jackass.” She snapped back though, and Angel’s wary gaze zeroed on hers.
“Last year. Nevan fucking Caras.”
Christina blinked as Jack shuddered beside her, “Remember when he screwed up one of his projects and blamed it on Chris?” he said to Angel and Luke rolled his eyes beside him,
“Remember when Chris decided to date him anyway?”
They all turned to look at her. Christina smiled sheepishly but chose to change the topic completely, “ Right,” she said and laughed nervously, “Why don’t we turn to the guy who was stuck in a one sided love for half his life?”
Jack scoffed just as a female voice drawled from behind them all.
“Who, dare I ask is this person?”
Angel started, turning over his shoulder to see a glint of back hair as Verana Smith walked into the dining room. Following her came Kyle and Ira. But no sign of Raylene. He frowned. And then frowned at himself for frowning in the first place.
Losing his fucking mind .
Luke’s head flopped back against his chair, his lips edging into a soft smirk as he responded calmly, “Why Verana? Jealous?”
Angel turned back to peer at Jack, who was eyeing Luke and Verana with an odd look in his eyes. Before Verana could respond, he decided to interject, “Did I come into your room last night?”
“ Christ ,” Luke hissed as Verana’s brows furrowed, “Will you shut the fuck up, you moron.”
Jack hummed again, crossing his hands as he leaned back his seat and tumbled back in his thoughts, “Maybe I didn’t.”
“What–” Verana started but they all paused as a loud voice yelled from outside the dining room.
“Just do IT!”
Ray’s voice, Angel recognized as he saw Kyle’s wary eyes snap to the doorway. Ira took a seat next to Angel, completely calm as she said in a soft voice,
“She’s been yelling on the phone all morning.” Angel almost jumped at Ira’s voice, surprised that she was talking to him. But he still regarded her with a small grin,
“Maybe she–”
“Oh fuck off.” Ray’s snarl cut him off again, and he turned over his shoulder to see Kyle sigh and walk to the doorway. His brows furrowed as he saw the boy lean forward and haul Ray in by her hand. Ray was looking all insane, her hair a wild mess and her honey eyes raging as she pressed her phone closer to her ear. Angel took in her outfit, almost grinning at the denim overalls she was wearing over a white shirt. Almost laughing as those eyes widened even more,
“Why don’t you go – ”
Kyle ripped the phone from her hand, “What’s this about?”
Angel crossed his arms in anticipation as he regarded both of them. Ray was glaring up at the phone in Kyle’s hand as the other boy spoke in soft tones. His other hand was still on Ray’s wrist, and she did absolutely nothing to push him away. It felt different, seeing them like that, so close yet not too close. Something annoying twinged in his chest, and his frown deepened, his lips turning downward as he saw Kyle nod and hang up the phone.
The boy turned to Ray immediately, his green eyes tired as he regarded her.
“Maybe don’t swear at them and they’ll hear you out?”
Ray scoffed, “They don’t listen to me either way. To them I’m just a new recruit,”
Kyle’s eyes darkened and he pulled her hand upwards and waved it vigorously, “So correct them.”
“I will.” Ray’s response was dark as she ripped her hand from his and turned to look at the rest of them. She blinked when her gaze settled on Angel’s, her honey eyes going wide by a fraction. He almost grinned at the faint flush that rose in her cheeks as those memories resurfaced in both their minds.
But Ray cleared her throat and averted her gaze, “Today’s my off day. I’m not supposed to be working anyway.”
Kyle shrugged at the venom in her tone, “You picked up the call.”
“Fuck you.” She spat and walked away from him, her steps quick and racing towards the kitchen on the other end of the dining area.
“Now that I think about it,” Jack said soft enough for only Angel and the others beside him to hear, “Last night–”
“Shut. Up! ”
Everyone yelled together and Jack jerked back in surprise, cursing under his breath.
“Jesus, fine . Calm down.”
Christina sighed, “Thank you.” She said, exasperated.
“Whatever,” Jack mumbled just as Kyle turned to look in the direction Ray had disappeared. Angel kept his eyes on the blonde, turning in his seat to drawl out carefully,
“How’s business?”
Kyle’s sigh was so loud, it reverberated through the entire room.
“Not great then,” Christina mumbled and Angel turned back in his seat.
Kyle moved from his spot, the exhaustion showing on his face as he crossed the room and sat next to Mia. Angel quirked a brow as he saw the other boy sigh again and put his face in his hands.
Angel noticed from the corner of his eyes Ray’s returning figure with two filled plates in his hand and let loose a breath as she took a seat in between him and Ira, her attention fixed on the latter. He pushed down the flash of amusement that rushed in his chest and looked at the younger girl scarf down her food. Ray had settled beside him, but he could still see those tense shoulders as he shifted but an inch closer.
He didn’t know if that twinge in his heart was satisfaction or pain.
“So Walker,” Verana’s voice pulled him out of reverie and Angel turned to look at the girl. Verana tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear as she leaned forward, a wolfish grin tugging at her lips, “What’s your plan for the day?”
Angel didn’t know if he was the only one, but he heard that itch of jealousy in her tone as Ray continued to keep her focus on Ira .
“I’m out for the day with Ira,” she replied calmly, and turned to her own food beside him. Angel sighed as he picked up his coffee and placed the mug against his lips, “Then at night, I’m going to go out to a club and dance until I find a guy who’d keep me happy till tomorrow morning.”
He choked on his drink just as Verana barked out a laugh.
Both Mia and Christina were looking up at her and Ray turned to them, “You’re all welcome to join me if you want to.” She added, “I’d love some company.”
What.
An insufferable grin tugged at Mia’s lips as she shut her laptop and laced her hands together, her eyes sparkling as she regarded Ray, “You’re very interesting.”
Kyle sighed deeply, making everyone more frustrated, “And what about our clients? The one’s you’ve been talking to since morning.”
Ray barely blinked before she relied smoothly, “They can go choke themselves with their assholery.”
That sounded awful like a jab, Angel wondered as he coughed again and put his mug down.
“Kinky.” Said Jack and Luke at the same time. Angel’s head snapped up just as a look of horror passed Luke’s face and Jack gasped loudly. The expression on Luke’s face was so morbid that Angel had to look away from bursting out laughing as Luke cried out with a loud groan,
“Too much fucking time with him…”
Christina patted his shoulder solemnly as he slammed his head loudly against the table, making Ray jump in surprise beside him .
Despite his better mind, Angel’s hand reached out beside him to touch her upper arm. Ray stilled beside him, aware that his hand was hidden by the table as he carefully lowered it to her wrist,
“Find a club and find a guy who’d keep you happy,” he whispered softly and heard Ray’s breath leave her, “Are you sure you aren’t talking about me, Raylene Walker?”
Her honey eyes snapped to his and Angel fingers tightened on her wrist, “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” She murmured snarkily, “You can’t keep me happy for an hour, let alone a night.”
“I did a good job last night.” He whispered, and she stilled, “And I wasn’t even trying.”
Ray’s inhale was like a fucking reward. He bottled it and placed it in some dark corner he’d never find again. Angel’s hand though, didn’t move away from hers. And hers didn’t either. Instead, it twisted underneath his, her expression calm as her fingers brushed his. Angel could feel the goosebumps rise up his arm as her fingers moved against the inside of his palm. An innocent gesture, one that could do nothing. But this was Raylene Walker.
And somehow Angel had developed an innate sense of obsession with her every movement.
Maybe that’s why when her fingers rubbed softly against his palm, against his wrist, his shoulders went taut with tension. Angel shot her a glare from the corner of his eyes, but she didn’t respond. Just looked up ahead as the conversation carried on.
As if he wasn’t so close to loosing his goddamned mind here.
“Does the offer really stand?” Christina asked as Jack’s laughs died down, her question aimed in Ray’s direction earnestly, “You’re alright with us joining you for the night? ”
Ray’s smile was polite, almost friendly even as her fingers started moving up and down his hand. Tickling and leaving damned chills in it’s wake, “I have your number.” She said calmly and Angel swore in the back of his mind, twisting his hand so it landed atop of hers, “I’ll let you know when and where?”
Christina nodded brightly, turning to look at Mia with shining eyes. Mia grinned back at her and whooped, her hands going up in the air, “I have plans!”
Angel’s mind drowned out Christina’s laugh at the shake of Ray’s fingers under his. His eyes were focused on Kyle sitting up ahead, when he pressed down on her hand. Ray’s hitched breath was the only sign he needed as their tangled hands landed on her thigh. Angel fought the smirk as his thumb started rubbing against the soft skin of her palm, so dangerously close to her thigh.
There was going to be no guy tonight, Angel thought when their gazes clashed. And she saw it. Smirked at it.
He was going to haunt her and never fucking let go.
Her smile spread.
“And what am I supposed to do all day?” Kyle asked, sounding awfully tired, looking at Ray and perking up slightly, “Can I come with for the day?”
Ray clicked her tongue and ripped her hand and gaze from Angel’s, slapping his fingers away from her thigh as she leaned forward, “No,” she said and Kyle’s shoulders drooped down, “I’m meeting with Cameron and Neera today as well.”
Those green eyes widened in a show of surprise,
“Why? ”
Angel angled his body to face Ray as well, interested in her response. And definitely not because he could see her face better this way.
If Ray noticed his train of thought she didn’t show it, “Because they’ve been asking for a brief tour ever since they got here. It’s good that he gets a view of the venue, so he knows what to prepare for tomorrow.”
Kyle waved a hand in the air, “He’ll be fine. If he survived this long, he shouldn’t have any issues getting through tomorrow."
Ray’s eyes narrowed, “I wasn’t asking.”
“I could use a tour.” Angel added before Kyle could snap back. They both turned to face him, and Angel shrugged, continuing innocently as Ray’s eyes glared through his, “I’m sure Ira wouldn’t mind if I tag along?”
Ira hummed her agreement and Angel cocked a brow in Ray’s direction as if saying, see? I’m right.
Ray’s jaw ticked but before she could respond, Jack’s voice spoke up from the other end, “Isn’t there an amusement park here somewhere?” he asked, his question aimed at Kyle, who nodded, enthusiastically, “Then we could all go. We’ll meet there after Ray’s shown Cameron the venue and enjoy the island until hell breaks loose tomorrow.”
Angel winced at his words, but Kyle clapped his back, looking too satisfied, “Great idea.”
“Wait–” Ray began from beside him, but Ira’s soft voice interjected,
“Amusement Park?” she asked and turned to Ray, her eyes sparkling, “Would there be cotton Candy? Zucchero filato ?”
Ray sighed at the excitement in her voice, “I guess we’re going to the amusement park afterwards.” She said, resigned even as Angel grinned from beside her.
Ira clapped from beside her and leaned forward to peer at Angel ,
“You come with.” She said, soft enough for him and Ray to hear as the others cheered. Ray started from beside him but Angel only grinned as she continued excitedly, “I’m going for a taglio .”
Angel’s brows bunched as Ray groaned from beside him, “Cut?” he asked, and Ira nodded,
“Haircut.” She stated proudly and Angel’s heart cracked at the amount of excitement in her eyes.
He looked at her hair, taking in the frizzy short strands and nodded back at her, his eyes going soft as he regarded her.
When Ira huffed in satisfaction and turned away, Angel leaned closer to Ray, making sure no one else was looking at them as he asked softly,
“That your idea?”
Ray’s honey eyes shuttered, but she didn’t pull away from him. Instead, her shoulders just sagged, “Yeah,” she said quietly, and a part of Angel couldn’t bear those words, “I thought she could use a change.”
“A change she asked for.”
Angel’s heart pounded against the cage of ribs harshly and pulled back abruptly, blinking at the sudden warmth that was seeping through his chest at her words, “That’s…” he couldn’t. Angel blinked again, and looked back at her, but whatever softness he’d seen there had disappeared into a cold trance.
Angel breathed out harsh breath as he snapped his gaze away and looked back at the others, his heart racing with his thoughts as Ray followed their movement.
And when she walked away with Ira in tow, Angel couldn’t tell if losing his mind was a good thing or not.
Just knew it was going to ruin him.
* *
Ray shot down her urge to ruffle Ira’s hair as the other girl stood beside her, staring at the barbershop with wide eyes. She could see her tense set of shoulders, but made sure to keep her gaze fixated ahead as she breathed out,
“So kid,” she said softly, and Ira stiffened further, “Wanna get the best haircut of your life?”
Ira didn’t respond for an entire minute, but mercifully, Angel let them stir in silence as he stood on Ray’s other side. Ray shivered as a cool breeze brushed past them but waited for Ira to make up her mind. She wouldn’t force her to get a haircut, or even a trim. This had been merely a suggestion and Ray had seen the way those young eyes had brightened in surprise and excitement at her idea.
Now, however, Ira remained frozen at the foot of the place.
But Ray didn’t mind waiting.
Angel made his presence painfully clear as he sidled close to her softly, his long coat brushing hers as he touched his arm to hers. Ray knew she should shift away from him, but he was so warm and silent that she couldn’t really bring herself to move.
“I am fourteen, you know,” Ira said suddenly, and Ray turned to her, arching a brow as the girl huffed out, staring at the barber place as if it were hell, “I’m not a kid.”
Ray clicked her tongue, “Then can this fourteen-year-old decide if she wants a haircut?” she asked, making sure to say the words casually. She knew she couldn’t push Ira too far, or she’d never come back to her. But she also had to keep her words friendly enough to nudge her .
Ira’s glare burnt in the side of her head, and Ray’s lips twitched, her head moving to look at her lazily,
“Ladies,” Angel's smooth voice drawled from beside Ray, “Let’s quit– excuse me? Why are the two of you glaring at me now? ”
Ira scoffed at crossed her arms, “Fine.”
“Fine.” Angel echoed and Ray bit back her laugh at their childish expressions.
“Alright,” Ray sang, “I’m heading inside to redo my highlights. Whenever you feel like it, just come in.”
And as soon as she strode ahead, Ira trailed behind her solemnly, muttering under her breath as Ray whooped in her head.
“Good work.” Angel whispered as he passed by her and winked, “Now if you’ll excuse me,” he announced as he veered to the opposite end, “I think I’m going to get my hair done as well.”
“You should look at those eyebrows as well.” Ira mumbled and Angel gasped, his eyes flaring as he started. Ray couldn’t resist it either,
“Yea and that stubble?” she noted, and his eyes narrowed into a deathly glare, “Not doing much for you.”
Ira nodded as Angel scoffed and rubbed his chin, “A man doesn’t shave for a day and that’s how he’s treated.”
“Man, my ass.” Both Ray and Ira said at the same time.
Angel walked away with two fingers lifted in the air, making both of them laugh out loud in surprise. Ray made sure to keep the surprise off her face as Ira’s laugh died down.
But even Angel had noticed that laugh, and had made it clear by sharing a soft glance with her. That look, it had been so much worse for her mind and her heart because suddenly all Ray could think of was last night .
With him being so close.
With his lips brushing by hers so gently. With her question at the end.
“Ray?” Ira’s soft voice drawled out from beside her and Ray’s attention snapped back to her, “You think I can get a small haircut but keep my bangs?”
Her question jarred her, and Ray furrowed her brows as she took a step close, “Yeah, of course. You have naturally curly hair, I think we can shape it up and keep your bangs as well.” She said, raising her hand to touch her hand and just stopping short to peer down at her,
“May I?” she asked gently and Ira’s eyes widened but she nodded. A brief, small movement that tore Ray’s heart as she placed her hand against her soft hair.
“We can get this part shortened and shaped,” she began, her fingers light grazing the uneven hair on the back of her neck, “And then we can get you some side bangs.” Her hand landed atop her head, moving her hair around to see which parting would suit her best. Ray was still peering at the top of Ira’s head when the girl cleared her throat under her. Ray snapped back, pulling her hand away. She couldn’t bring herself to look at Ira’s face, knowing she’d see discomfort in that gaze, which is why she turned to the empty place.
There was one woman in sight, who caught Ray’s eyes and smiled warmly, waving in their direction.
Ray waved back at her and started moving in her direction when Ira’s fingers wrapped around the sleeve of her white T-shirt to stop her. Ray’s brows furrowed in worry ,
“What’s up?” she asked, turning to look at the girl’s bowed head, “Do you not want to do this today? It’s completely alright–”
“You’re good to me.”
Ira’s words silenced her, but it was her shining blue grey eyes staring back at her that made her loose her breath, “I was told you wouldn’t be this good. That you would be the worst of them all.”
Ray’s shoulders tensed, “Ira,” she began softly, “Who’s they? I thought you didn’t have any contact with–”
Ira shook her head, “I told you everything, but one thing.” Her voice shook as she opened her mouth to continue when Ray’s hands landed on her shoulder, showing all the seriousness in her gaze as she said in a low voice,
“Not here Ira.” Ira’s eyes widened, “I’ll hear you out. But not here. When we get back, I promise.”
Ira’s gaze shuttered but she nodded, nonetheless.
Ray could only hope she’d tell her in the end anyway as she turned away from her but made sure to keep a light hand on her wrist as she pulled her along.
“Hi!” The lady up ahead said brightly as they neared her. Ray forced a calm smile on her face and responded with an equally polite tone,
“Hey. We’re actually looking at two things.” She pulled Ira to stand in front of her and patted her shoulder as Ira’s eyes peered up at the woman, “She’s looking for a clean cut – a shorter one with bangs that don’t entirely cover her face?”
The lady hummed, putting her hands on her waist as she eyed Ira. Ray noted her name – which was written on the nametag she was wearing .
Davina was Ray’s height and had long brown hair with gold highlights. Those pin-straight strands spilled over her shoulder as she bent to look at Ira’s hair more closely.
Davina had similar colored eyes – just a tint darker than her own, and they seemed to shine as she rose back to her height and nodded briskly,
“Can be done easily.” She said and Ray nodded, “What was the second thing?”
“I need to retouch my highlights.” Ray responded swiftly and tugged at her own long hair, “I don’t need them to be straightened but if you could set them that would be great.”
Davina nodded and clapped her hands, “Alright we can get started on both of you. My colleague can help you with your highlights,” she pointed in the direction of a boy who had his back turned to them all.
Ray’s eyes narrowed at the familiar tint and shape of his hair, and was about to respond when he turned.
Well, I’d be damned.
Black depthless eyes and those dark curls with the glint of silver with that necklace that hung from his neck. Ray fought a faint grin as those eyes widened in a show of surprise. She was still looking at him when she started speaking, her words aimed towards Davina,
“Did you see the boy who came with us, Davina?” she asked, “Do you know who he is?”
“Angel De Santos.” Davina’s response was subdued but nothing short of sharp. Ray’s lips quirked into a smirk,
“Whatever services he gets, put them on my card,” she removed a credit card and handed it to Davina, turning to look at her lazily, “Take extra to keep him here longer than me. ”
Davina’s eyes widened but Ray just waved the card again, showing her that she had no choice in this situation. Her expression turned to professional indifference as she took the card from Ray’s hands and turned to Ira with a brief smile,
“Shall we?”
Ray could feel Ira’s discomfort and turned to her immediately, the danger in her expression dying as she looked at her.
“I’m right here. Just five chairs away. You’ll be within my line of sight, and I’ll be within yours. When you’re done, you yell for me?”
Ira nodded hesitantly, “I’ll come to you.” She replied and Ray blinked in surprise but smiled regardless,
“Sure. Come to me.”
“Cool.”
Ray ruffled her hair once before turning back to the boy who was looking as though he was going to bolt. Or as though he was exhausted. Ray couldn’t really tell. All she really cared about was the younger boy who was hiding in the shadows behind him. She’d seen his hair when he’d tried to sneak a peep, and watched warily as the boy in front of her took a step forward, raising his hand with a wary look in his eyes to cover the shadows,
“Where’s the boy?” she asked when she took a few steps away from Ira. Davina was doing a great job of distracting the younger girl with her chatter, giving Ray the freedom to step closer to the shaking shadow and whisper dangerously,
“Where’s Micah Diaz?”