Chapter 5
Rafe
“Gran finally took my advice and sold Crockett’s,” Country announced before taking a bite of his chicken biscuit. His mouth was full as he continued, “Got a pretty penny for it too.”
“Seriously?” I couldn’t believe it. Gladys was always telling folks how her husband had bought Crockett’s when they’d first gotten married, and how hard the both of them had worked to keep it up and going.
She’d always been extremely proud of the place, so it was a shock to hear she was closing the place down.
“I didn’t realize she was serious about selling. Thought it was just talk.”
“Yeah, I think it’s been a long time coming.” Country shoved the last bite of biscuit into his mouth as he told me, “She’s just too old for this shit, brother. All the long hours and crap falling apart has finally gotten to her. She got an offer she couldn’t refuse and took it.”
“Damn. And you weren’t interested in taking over the place?”
“Fuck, no. That place is going to hell in a handbasket.” Country shook his head with a grumble.
“There’s always something breaking down or a debt some asshole hasn’t paid.
I don’t have the time or the desire to deal with that kind of bullshit.
As far as I’m concerned, she did the right thing by selling. ”
“So, that’s it.”
“Reckon so.” Country took a drink of his coffee before saying, “Gran’s planning to sign the papers later today, and if all goes well, she’ll be closed by the end of week.”
“What about her apartment? Will she have to move?”
“Yeah, but she’s got some time to find a place. Won’t have to move until the end of the month or so.”
My mind drifted to earlier that morning when I’d dropped Marlowe off for work.
Country was right. The place was just an old hole-in-the-wall bar with no real prospects for any kind of promotion, but I’d always liked the place.
And from what I could tell, Marlowe did too.
The way she’d talked the night before, it was pretty clear she really liked working there, and if I had to guess, I’d say she wouldn’t be happy about having to find another job.
“What about Marlowe? Does she know Gladys is shutting down?”
“I’m sure Gran mentioned something to her.”
“So, you got any idea what she’s gonna do?”
“Can’t say that I do.” He shrugged nonchalantly. “But she’s a smart girl. I’m sure she’ll figure out something.”
“I get that, but damn, seems like Glady is putting her in a tough spot.”
“Maybe so.” Country turned to look at me with furrowed brows. “But why are you so worried about it anyway? You barely know the girl.”
“I know her well enough.”
“Umm-hmm.” He gave me a condescending glance as he scoffed, “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you had a thing for her.”
I thought about the time I’d spent with Marlowe the night before, and there was no denying it.
Country was right. I was interested in her.
In fact, I was very interested, and if the kiss we shared was any indication, I’d say she was too.
I just hadn’t figured out what I was going to do about it.
Something told me Marlowe wasn’t the hit-it-and-quit-it type, and I wasn’t sure I was up for anything more.
I also had to contend with Country and wasn’t sure how he’d feel about my making a play for Marlowe, so I asked, “And what if I am?”
“I done told ya, brother.” He patted me on the back like he was trying to console my broken heart. “The chick doesn’t do dicks.”
“Hate to break it to you, but you’re wrong about that.” I stood up and looked down at him with a knowing smile. “Bad wrong.”
Before he could ask me what the hell I was talking about, I turned and walked out of the kitchen. I’d just started down the hall when Lynch called out to me. “Yo, Rafe! You got a minute?”
“Yeah.” I continued in his direction. “What’s up?”
“Wanted to see if you could cover my shift at Stilettos tonight. Stacey passed her final, so I thought I’d take her out to celebrate.”
“Yeah, I could do that.”
Appreciate it, brother.” Lynch gave me a slap on the forearm. “I’ll return the favor.”
“I’m sure you will.”
I gave him a nod, then continued towards the parking lot.
As I walked out the back door and over to my bike, I had no idea where the hell I was going.
It was too early to head to Stilettos, but I needed some fucking air and to clear my head.
My conversation with Country had gotten to me more than I’d realized.
Fuck. My head was reeling as I whipped in and out of traffic.
It wasn’t that I didn’t understand why Gladys was closing Crockett’s.
Hell, if I were in her shoes, I would’ve done it years ago, but I couldn’t shake my concern over Marlowe.
It wasn’t only because she’d be out of a job, that in itself was bad enough, but the fact she lived here in Nashville without any family or close friends only intensified my unease and that had me driving over to Crockett’s.
When I entered, Gladys was behind the bar, talking to some guy who looked like one of those lawyer types in his black suit and slicked-back hair.
I assumed he was there to finalize the deal, so I decided not to disturb them.
Instead, I continued to the back in hopes of finding Marlowe.
When I walked in, I found her busy washing dishes.
Her long hair was pulled up, and she was wearing jeans that clung to her ass in all the right ways.
I thought she hadn’t noticed I’d entered the room until she glanced over her shoulder and said, “I thought you were going to the clubhouse.”
“I did, but I thought I’d come by to see how you were doing.”
“Oh.” She turned off the water and tossed her rag in the sink. “I take it you heard the news about Gladys selling the bar.”
I nodded. “Country mentioned something about it.”
“Well, it’s sweet of you to come by and check on me, but I’m fine.” I could tell by Marlowe’s tone she was worried, but she continued with her brave front and smiled. “I knew it was coming. Gladys has been talking about closing down for months now.”
“How do you feel about it?”
“I won’t lie. I’m kind of bummed about the thought of not being here with Gladys and our regulars.
They’ve come to mean a lot to me. I’m really going to miss them.
” I could hear the sadness in her voice as she spoke, and it was digging at me.
I wanted to do something, say something, anything that would make her feel better, but I had no idea what.
She gave me a light shrug and continued, “And I’m not exactly thrilled about having to find another job. ”
“You got any idea what you’re gonna do?”
“Not yet, but I’ve been checking around.
” Marlowe was doing everything she could to avoid eye contact with me, leaving no doubt she was more upset than she was letting on.
“I’ll figure something out. Besides, Gladys will give me a great reference, and even if I don’t find a job right away, I’ll still be okay.
I have some money saved up, and my rent is paid for the month. ”
“You could always come work at Stilettos.”
“Ha! Me as a stripper?” She gasped. “Nooo! I don’t think so.”
“No, not as a stripper, Marlowe,” I chuckled. “As a bartender. In three or four nights, you could make more money than you do here in two weeks.”
“So, I’d actually get to keep my clothes on?” she asked timidly, showing once again how innocent she really was.
“I wouldn’t have suggested it otherwise.
” My eyes drifted over her, and the thought of having her enticing curves on display for anyone other than me made my stomach twist into a knot.
Damn. Maybe I was more interested in Marlowe than I’d thought.
“Why don’t you come by tonight and check things out for yourself? ”
“I would, but I have to work.”
“You don’t think Gladys can make it a few hours without you?”
“Maybe. It’s a weeknight, so things should be pretty slow.”
“Then, it’s worth a shot.” I took a step back and stuck my head through the doorway and called out, “Hey, Gladys. Is it all right with you if Marlowe leaves tonight around eight?”
“Fine with me,” she shouted back. “Planning on closing early tonight anyway.”
“Good deal.” I stepped back into the kitchen with a smile. “Well, looks like it’s all settled. I’ll be back around eight to pick you up.”
“Wait ... You don’t have to come pick me up. I can drive over.”
“Not without a car, you can’t.” I’d already called and talked to her mechanic.
The fucking transmission was shot and the starter was flaking.
It was going to take some time to get the parts in, and when they did, it was going to cost a pretty penny to get it up and running again.
Marlowe had enough bad news for one day, so I decided to hold off on telling her until later. “I’ll be back at eight.”
Without giving her a chance to argue further, I turned and walked out of the bar.
As I got on my bike and headed toward Stilettos, I started thinking about the offer I’d made to Marlowe, and I began to wonder if I’d made a mistake in suggesting she work there—not because I was worried she wouldn’t do a good job.
Hell, she’d give Lisa, our lead bartender, a run for her money, but Marlowe was timid and sweet.
At the strip club, she’d be a lamb in a den of lions.
If she was going to make it there, she’d have to put some grit into her step and prove she could handle whatever came her way—including the horny assholes who’d want to get in her pants.
I’d have to make sure she knew what she was getting into, and not with just the customers.
She’d have to understand how things worked with the club as well, but before any of that could happen, I’d need to talk to Menace.
He was the one in charge of the books and did most of the hiring at the club, so he’d have the final say in whether or not she could work there.
There was just one problem. We’d barely laid eyes on Menace since he’d been consumed with finding that professor, Schommer.
He was always cooped up in his office, hammering away at his computer, and it was no different today.
When I walked into his office, I found him sitting at his desk staring at his monitor, and from the looks of it, he hadn’t slept in days.
Hell, he didn’t even notice I’d come in.
“Hey, brother. You got a minute?”
“Yeah.” He turned to look at me as he continued, “I could use a break anyway.”
“You having any luck on finding Schommer?”
“I think so. Just have to follow up on a couple of leads, and if everything goes the way I think it will, we should have this guy by the end of the night.”
“Damn. That’s awesome.”
“Will be if this is really the guy.” His eyes narrowed. “He who you wanted to talk to me about?”
“No, not exactly.” I walked over and sat down in the chair next to his desk. “I wanted to see if the club could use another bartender.”
“Not that I’m aware of. Why?” Concern crossed his face. “There a problem I should know about?”
“No, that’s not why I asked.”
“Then, why are you asking about a new bartender?”
“You know Country’s grandmother runs Crockett’s, right?”
“Yeah, I know all about Gladys.” A smirk crossed his face as he continued, “She’s great and all, but I don’t think she’d be a good fit for Stilettos, brother.”
“Not talking about Gladys, asshat. I was talking about Marlowe. She’s been working there for over a year, and now that Gladys is closing Crockett’s, she’s looking for another job.”
“You think she’s got what it takes to work here?”
“Wouldn’t have mentioned it if I didn’t. I told her to come by tonight so she could check things out, but figured I needed to make sure we had a place for her before I said anything more.”
“Yeah. We could always use an extra hand, but you know, I’ll have to look into her before we actually hire her.”
“I figured as much, but I bet it’s doubtful you’ll find anything. All the girl does is work.”
“I’m sure you’re right, but gonna check all the same.”
“Understood.” As I got up, I told him, “I’ll find out what she thinks about this place tonight and let you know.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Before walking out, I looked back over to him and said, “Let me know if you need any help with the Schommer situation.”
“You know I will.”