Chapter 16
Rico
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t entirely convinced when Jesse started telling me about his new job. I just heard ‘stripper at a bar’ and my mind rushed toward all the worst possible scenarios.
But then I remembered what I’ve been working on and began actually listening to him.
Not just to the words he’s saying, but to the unbridled joy that’s clear in his voice.
He’s so excited, and I don’t think it’s simply because he’s been worrying about relying on me so much financially.
It’s the job itself. I know how much he hated the club back in LA and how poorly they treated him.
This Trixie’s Tavern place sounds completely different.
I doubt this is some seedy joint where I’ll have to worry about him.
And the way his eyes light up when he talks about dancing for the audition, how much he’s missed learning choreography and being on stage, it’s clear this isn’t just a job to pay the bills. It’s a vocation he’s passionate about.
But I can tell he’s also a bit nervous about my reaction, so I hope he didn’t pick up too much on my initial reservations. My reflex prejudice and ingrained desire to protect him shouldn’t spoil this great accomplishment.
“That’s amazing, man,” I say enthusiastically, giving his arm a friendly slap that makes Klaus bark. “I’m so happy for you.”
I can read the relief on his face and for a second I marvel at that in itself. I do know him so well now that I can interpret his emotions a lot of the time. We’re so close.
Yet he’s also still so far away.
That’s probably a good thing. Whatever I’m feeling for him doesn’t need to complicate everything else he’s got going on.
“I’m happy for me, too,” he admits bashfully. We’re on my sofa together and he’s so gleeful he’s having trouble sitting still. “I basically start right away on a trial basis. Trixie doesn’t want me to feel tied down to anything until we know I’m okay being around an open bar with people drinking.”
I feel my eyebrows raise. “That’s good,” I say truthfully. “So she knows about your sobriety?”
“They all do,” Jesse says, his eyes shining, but he’s beaming at me still.
“They were all so kind. I feel like the guys took it as a personal challenge to have my back. They’re like…
really protective frat bros.” He laughs but the next second he reaches out and grabs my hands with his own.
“I don’t want you to worry about me, Rico.
I’m not going to fall off the wagon, I promise.
This isn’t like any of the other times I’ve tried to quit.
I’ve never felt so supported and…well, that’s because of you. Thank you.”
My ears are ringing and my heart is pounding as I realize I’m gripping his hands back just as tightly. I look up from them into his glassy eyes, my heart filling with…
With love. I’m not entirely sure which kind of love, but I’m done denying that’s not what I’m feeling. Jesse is incredibly important to me, and to see him succeed like this is everything I want.
“I’m here for you, always,” I murmur, like if I speak too loudly, it’ll shatter the moment. “Jesse, I’m so proud of you. You’re really starting the next chapter of your life.”
That’s certainly true.
But I’m not sure how much longer that’ll mean he needs me.
He’s still holding my hands, and he turns the left one over like he’s just noticed what’s under my sleeve. “You’re wearing your bracelet?” he says, his fingers touching the beads he gave to me the day he left Sequoia Heights.
I wonder if he really hasn’t noticed before. “I wear it all the time except for when I’m on shift,” I tell him.
“Really?” he asks softly in disbelief. When he looks up, he’s still cradling my hands in his. I hear the clock ticking on the wall as we look at one another. “Rico…” he starts to say.
Then my damn phone rings.
“Shit, sorry,” I say, reluctantly letting him go to pull it from my back pocket. “I better get it in case it’s the station.”
“No, go ahead, that’s fine.” Jesse’s cheeks are tinged pink as he busies himself fussing over Klaus.
I’m not sure what that moment was about, but I’m kind of already pissed at whoever’s interrupted it. I frown at the unknown number before accepting the call. “Hello?”
“Oh! Hi, there!” the perky woman’s voice comes from down the line. “Is this Enrico Flores?”
“Yes, speaking.”
“Marvelous. This is Angelica Carson from Navigator Insurance. Do you have a minute to talk?”
My stomach drops and my eyes go wide. I can’t help but look at Jesse as I try not to let panic overrun me. “Uh, yeah. Sure. Is everything okay?”
“Wonderful,” Angelica says. “I’m just going over the recent claim you made with the Sequoia Heights Rehabilitation Center, and I was hoping you could answer a couple of questions for me.”
Jesse raises his eyebrows at me and then mouths “What?” I shake my head because obviously I can’t explain right now, but I reach back for his hand.
I know that’s blurring the lines between us yet again. But I can’t lie. I’m a little scared.
“Yes, of course,” I say, hoping I didn’t pause too long before answering. “How can I help?”
“Fantastic. Okay, so the treatment stay was for your husband, correct? A Mr. Silverman?”
“Jesse Silverman, yes,” I confirm.
His hand grips mine harder and he presses his lips together.
Klaus whines and nudges him, making my heart melt.
Fostering him was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Seeing him and Jesse bonding has been nothing short of beautiful.
It reminds me why the two of us pulled this little scheme in the first place, and I take a fortifying breath.
I can’t let this cheerful woman scare me. Getting Jesse clean will be worth whatever consequences she can dish out.
“And am I correct that you got married quite recently?” Angelica asks.
“That’s right,” I say firmly, refusing to let my nerves betray me. “Back in November.”
“Mazel tov,” she says, sounding genuine.
“Now, I don’t mean to be a party pooper, but I’m sure you can guess why I’m calling, Mr. Flores.
The timing of you putting Mr. Silverman on your insurance claim is just a little convenient.
So it’s my job to make sure there’s no funny business going on. I hope you understand.”
“Yes, of course,” I reply.
You’ve got nothing to hide, I tell myself firmly. You’re just bending the facts slightly. Do it for Jesse. He needs you.
I swallow and lick my lips. “The truth is, we did get married to put Jesse on my insurance.” His mouth drops open, but I squeeze his hand and bring it up to hold it against my chest. “It was something we hoped would happen anyway down the line. So for the sake of Jesse’s health, we just sped up the timeline somewhat. Does that make sense?”
“It does, Mr. Flores,” Angelica says not unkindly.
“Thank you for being up front with me. Now, because a flag has been raised, I’m going to need to do a little bit of poking around just so I can cross my Ts and dot my Is.
But once I’m satisfied, I have no doubt we can put this whole matter to bed, and you can continue focusing on being happy newlyweds. What do you say?”
I should have known it wouldn’t be that easy to satisfy her. We are talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars here. But hope isn’t lost yet.
“Sure, whatever you need.”
“Outstanding,” Angelica replies. “I’d like to swing by sometime in the next couple of weeks to have a chat with you and Mr. Silverman. Talk with friends and family, too. Maybe pop by your place of work as well if that’s all right? You’re a first responder, yes?”
She’s going to come here to Redwood Bay? To my apartment? Oh, crap. “Uh, yes, I’m a firefighter.”
“Wow, that’s a way cooler job than mine,” she says with a chuckle.
“I’m sure my captain will be happy to talk with you,” I say, managing her expectations.
“But I keep my private life very private, Ms. Carson. My colleagues don’t know I got married.
We can tell them if necessary, but I know that probably won’t look good for our case.
And, um, I’m not close with my family. Jesse is estranged from his parents as well.
But we’ll do whatever we can to assist in your investigation to help prove our marriage is real. ”
Jesse looks as white as a sheet. I rub my thumb against the back of his hand.
“Mr. Flores,” Angelica says, sounding genuinely sympathetic.
“I’m not trying to trip you up, I promise.
It’s just my job to make sure everyone’s treated fairly.
You don’t need to have the perfect character witnesses or circumstances for that.
Just carry on as you are, and I’ll swing by when I can to put some names to faces.
Often that’s all that’s needed to satisfy the company that the claim is legit.
A bit of paperwork after that, then you can forget I even exist. Sound good? ”
I take a breath. I’m not sure I trust this lady one bit. But what’s the alternative? Jesse and I will just have to do our best to get through this inspection and pray Angelica Carson isn’t the vindictive type.
“Yes, that all sounds reasonable,” I admit. “I’m just…I’m just very protective of my husband, that’s all.”
We might be bending some truths around this story, but at least that much is a hundred percent accurate.
A soft, sweet sigh comes from the other end of the line. “How romantic,” Angelica says quietly. “Okay, Mr. Flores. I’ll be in touch soon. You take care now.”
“Thank you,” I tell her, feeling dazed. “I hope you have a good day.”
I haven’t even finished closing the call before Jesse starts trembling all over. “We’re going to get caught,” he blurts out tearfully. “They’re going to see right through us. You’re going to be sent to prison.”