Chapter 6 Serra #2
I’d pulled into the parking spot so I could see the place through my rearview mirror.
From this side, the structure was cinderblocks that had been painted dark gray.
Above the double glass doors was a sign with blue flashing lights over the words “Game Changers”.
The front entrance faced Parks Drive and another sign—this one red and white—with various sports balls on it, boasted the name too.
The side of the building that faced Selma Lane as well as the front were comprised of huge windows that opened onto the street where additional seating was located.
Globe outdoor string lights hung from the wrought iron railings outside while patrons sat at wood-topped tables.
Rubbing my palms up and down my jean-clad thighs, I blew out yet another breath I’d deeply inhaled.
I could do this. I’d already told myself I could.
And if I hadn’t gotten sidetracked last night I would have.
I sighed because if there was one thing I learned a long time ago it was that you couldn’t undo the past. So, last night happened but tonight was a different time, a different opportunity to scratch another thing off my list. Before I could change my mind, I grabbed my purse from the passenger seat and got out of the car.
I slammed the door too hard and jumped at the loud sound in the otherwise quiet parking lot.
After dropping my keys into the black Prada crossbody, I stuck my arm through the strap and adjusted it at my side.
It was one of the smallest bags I owned and I usually only carried it if I was going to a sporting event where there would be large crowds.
I hated people bumping into me and my bag for fear that it was a ploy to pick-pocket me or something else nefarious.
However, most stadiums or venues had small bag policies.
This one was black and not clear as was the standard for some of those policies, but if I had to go small, I still wanted it to be cute.
I walked across the parking lot, intent on getting this conversation out of the way, when it occurred to me that I didn’t even know if Noah was working tonight.
I didn’t have his number so I couldn’t send a “Hey, sorry about last night. Can I stop by tonight?” text.
So, I guess I was just gonna take my chances.
A guy who didn’t look more than nineteen or twenty, wearing a black polo with a smaller Game Changers and star insignia on it, greeted me as soon as I was inside. He directed me to the hostess station at the front entrance and asked if I wanted to be seated at a table.
“The bar is always open, but it’s a little tight down here since it’s karaoke night,” he continued with a cute smile. “The Sky Lounge is upstairs and its much quieter up there.”
I nodded. “I don’t know, this rendition of I Will Survive is pretty good,” I told him and glanced toward the stage. Sure enough, there was a woman with goddess braids swinging down to her calves belting out the words to the classic Gloria Gaynor song.
He shrugged. “It’s one of the better ones I’ve heard since the start of my shift. But the night is still relatively young, we’ve got time for improvement.”
I chuckled. “Well, I think karaoke’s more about having fun than actually being good at singing.”
“Yeah, but my ears would prefer you sing from your seat if you’re horrible.” He laughed, and I joined him.
He was a cute kid and charismatic. Whoever assigned him to greet customers at the door made a wise decision. I could see young women coming here just to get a look at him.
“You goofin’ off again, Stefan?” a thunderous male voice asked. “We can always move you upstairs if you’re too distracted down here.”
The kid, Stefan, sobered instantly. His smile vanished and eyes widened as they landed somewhere over my shoulder.
I wanted to see who’d interrupted our relaxing banter so I turned in that direction.
Nothing could have prepared me for the sight of the huge bald guy with the sexiest scowl I’d ever seen.
I’d been in the sports industry for years now, so I was no stranger to very tall men or very big football players.
But this man was something else. He was all muscles, poking out from beneath the short sleeves of the black T-shirt he wore, peppered over the landscape of his chest and abs, filling out the black denim jeans.
When I noticed the same logo, but bigger and in the center of his shirt, that was on Stefan’s, I surmised he was also an employee here.
Perhaps a bouncer with his big, intimidating demeanor.
“No, I was um…uhh, I just was…” Stefan stammered.
“He was telling me how much fun karaoke night is around here,” I said, then extended a hand to the gargantuan hunk. “Hi, I’m Serra Ward. Do you know if Noah Jordan is working tonight?”
The hunk gave a nod, and I knew it was to dismiss Stefan because I could hear him shuffling away behind me. I kept my gaze focused on this new guy who I suspected was in some type of supervisory position over Stefan.
“I’m Rock,” he said moments before folding my much smaller hand into his much bigger one. “I can take you to Noah.”
He released my hand and turned to start walking before I could say anything else, so I simply followed him.
Stefan had been right, there was a good crowd in here tonight, so many that I bumped into a few as I tried to keep up with a fast-moving Rock.
The crowd which seemed to part for him, immediately reconvened as he passed, leaving me to mumble “excuse me” and “sorry” more times than I liked.
Again, I hated crowds. So, I kept one hand over my purse, holding it in front of me now as I needed to use my other arm to extend and help me through the crowd.
The front entrance was behind me, as Rock had guided us toward the back of this lower floor.
The stage was in this direction, and as I moved, I caught a closer view of the young lady just finishing up her turn at the mic.
I had to admit I was curious who would come next and what they’d sing.
I did enjoy karaoke…not performing but certainly watching.
The bar, that seemed to stretch almost the full length of this floor was now to my left.
To the right, past rows of high-boy tables with red leather cushioned chairs, was a wall where a dozen TV screens were mounted.
World news was on one of the televisions while various sports games were on others.
I didn’t think they were all live games, or current ones for that matter since one seemed to have an old winter Olympics ski race showing.
In addition to the music, there was lots of chatter in the space.
Glasses clinked, servers moved about, a few people were on the dance floor while another group in the area I just passed started to sing happy birthday to someone at their table.
When I heard them, I glanced back to see a double tiered cake decorated in multi-colored polka dots and with three lighted sparklers sticking out from the top.
The sight made me smile, happy to see that someone was having a good time—a good life.
Then I tripped and almost fell on my face.
Strong arms wrapped around my waist, hoisting me back against a firm chest. “We meet again, pretty lady,” the male voice sounded in my ear.
I whirled around, heart still thumping wildly after my almost faceplant into the floor. “Oh, hey,” I said breathily. Flattening a palm on my chest like that would calm the beating, I managed to smile. “Thanks. I should’ve been paying attention.”
“No problem,” he said, smile spreading immediately. His face was familiar, but I struggled with recalling his name.
“Timmy,” he informed me as if reading my confusion. “We met the other day at the municipal building. I saved you from the elevator.”
I nodded, putting the name to the freckles and sandy brown hair. He’d been wearing a dark blue firefighter’s uniform that day but tonight he was dressed in blue jeans and a gray sweatshirt. “Yes, yes. Well, thank you again. You just keep saving me and I appreciate it.”
“Oh, I love saving pretty women.” He grinned and it was at that moment I realized he still had his arms around me.
“Did you come here tonight to get some shit started?” another familiar voice asked from behind me.
Before I could respond, a huge hand was planted in the center of Timmy’s chest, pushing him back with enough force to send him stumbling. “Stay over there if you don’t want Noah sending you a clearer message,” Rock told Timmy.
I felt my frown and knew a few choice words were about to fall from my lips when I sensed him. It was like everyone else in the room disappeared and there was only him. His presence draped like a warm blanket over my shoulders.
“Timmy’s a smart dude,” Noah said coming forward until he was partially blocking me from Rock and Timmy at this point. “He knows to leave his hero act down at the fire station unless someone’s life is in jeopardy.”
Timmy had finally righted himself, tossing Rock and Noah weary glares. “Thought you two were too old for bullying.”
Rock chuckled. “You haven’t been bullied, just warned.”
“And your drinks were on the house the other night, so that was all the payment you were getting for your assistance. Tonight, though, you might end up needing one of your paramedics on duty if you touch her again,” Noah said.
Timmy held up both hands in surrender. “Nah, man, if she’s taken, that’s all you had to say. We don’t have to get to embarrassing you in front of your lady.”
I couldn’t tell if this scene was serious or if these guys knew each other and were joking.
I mean, it was obvious they knew each other but was there real animosity here or was this a joke?
I needed to figure it out before I reacted.
For one thing, Noah had no place telling another man to keep his hands off me.
We weren’t together anymore. And for another, I also didn’t take kindly to being part of somebody’s joke.
“Excuse me,” I cleared my throat. “I just came here so we could talk. But if you’re busy handling some sort of schoolyard squabble, I can go.”
Noah turned on me quicker than I expected and grabbed my wrist. “Stay,” he said, his tone urgent.
“You can go now,” I heard Rock tell Timmy.
“Yeah, a’ight. Remember that the next time you’re stuck in an elevator, Noah!” Timmy yelled.
I knew he’d walked away, even though I couldn’t see him with Noah’s body blocking anybody else from my view.
The young lady who’d survived her first song had apparently decided to stay on stage for an encore.
I recognized her voice as this time she’d selected Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance With Somebody and I felt a little nervous for her.
I didn’t have time to wonder if she could deliver because Noah’s grumbled, “Let’s go in the back,” tore my attention away.
I let him keep his grip on my wrist as he guided me farther toward the back of the restaurant.
I had no idea when he’d joined us out there or if Rock had continued walking until he found Noah, then both of them returned to see me with Timmy.
And I guess it didn’t matter at this point, since he had opened a door, and pulled me inside before I could ask the question.
I heard the door slam and a lock click into place.
Saw a desk with a small lamp at one end, stacks of papers and a large monitor on the other.
Then I felt my back slamming against the door and Noah’s body pressing against mine.
“You stood me up,” he said, his lips only inches away from mine. “Now, you owe me.”