28. Soul Aching Love
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
SOUL ACHING LOVE
Payne
Ruby fills my coffee up and blows me a kiss from across the counter.
“I’m just going to say it here, the two of you are as cute as you were back in high school when you were in those musicals together. What was that one show you starred in where Payne dyed his hair? Heck, I can’t remember my middle name some days. Anyway, you’re as cute as that. Maybe cuter!”
Ruby beams. “Thanks, Winnie. And it was Grease. Payne went all in for me and dyed his hair black for the part of Danny. Tallie had a fit.”
I do not beam as I look over my laptop where I have set up office for the last three days because I just got Ruby back.
I refuse to take my eyes off her, even if that means conducting market research from the Combover.
My week has been comprised of a backache from sitting on this stool for eight hours straight and apologizing to one client after another for the background noises from my makeshift office.
“It took months to grow it out. I refused to go to my mother’s salon to have it fixed. That was the first and last time I dyed my hair.”
Ruby leans on the counter and talks to Winnie. “He was always such a good sport to try out for the school musicals. The pickings for male leads were slim.”
“I only did it because you were a shoo-in for the lead, and every production was some fucking love story. No way was I going to watch anyone else kiss you on stage.”
Winnie cackles.
If she only knew, there wasn’t anything funny about it. I was a jealous boyfriend who wasn’t going to allow anyone else to touch Ruby.
It’s Friday at the Combover. Ruby and I got here before the ass crack of dawn. They’ve already been through the breakfast and lunch rush hours. It’s winding down, and Ruby isn’t being pulled in every direction.
Ruby goes on. “You loved every moment of it. I think you liked the attention better than I did. Hey! Maybe you should sing a song with me tonight at The Speakeasy.”
My eyes narrow. “Do you plan on singing with anyone else and kissing them?”
She frowns. “Of course not.”
“Then there’s no reason for me to sing. Case dismissed.”
“Payne the lawyer,” she mutters and picks up a rag to wipe down the counter.
“Can’t get over this. Tickles me pink.” Winnie sighs like she’s taking in a rom-com. “I tell you what, there are two tables left from lunch, and you already cleared ‘em. You two go home. You’ve got a show at the manor tonight. I keep telling Carl we need to get over there and see you sing.”
Thank the Lord. We can go home.
Ruby dries the rest of the drink glasses she just washed at the counter. “Are you sure? I don’t want you to be on your feet too much.”
“We’ve got it. Carl can help me if we get some stragglers,” Winnie assures her. “You have fun tonight. May your tip jar runneth over.”
I slam my laptop shut and speak freely, because at this point, everyone knows Ruby has a shithead after her and their house fire was arson.
“Thanks for the endless cup of Joe, Winnie. I’ve never drunk so much coffee in my life.
Let’s hope someone gets arrested this weekend so I can work from my office. ”
Ruby unties her apron and grabs her purse from under the counter. “I think Payne should come back and help with the lunch rush. He cleared a few tables this week when I was in a pinch.”
I stack my shit up and tuck it under my arm. “Evidence that I’m no asshole.”
I hold out my hand for her. She comes straight to me as she looks back and waves at Winnie. “Have a good weekend. See you Monday!”
The bell rings when we exit through the front door. I twist to crack my back as we walk to my car. “You know I love you when I’m willing to sit on that damn barstool all day and turn around to sit on another one tonight at The Speakeasy. Your work schedule is not good for my back.”
She smiles. “Nothing has happened all week. We can’t live like there’s a ghost around every corner. I think we’re at the point where I don’t need a babysitter everywhere I go.”
I beep the locks, open the passenger door for her, and motion to myself. “I’m offended. I’m hardly a babysitter. I’m your bodyguard. Don’t diminish me, baby.”
She bites back a smile and slips into the passenger seat. “Sorry. My bodyguard. My badass, hot bodyguard.”
“Thank you.” I slam the door and walk around to the driver’s side. After I’m in, lock the doors, and start the car, I turn to her. “We smell like bacon and fried eggs with a bucket of syrup on the side.”
Her smile widens. “A hazard of working at the Combover. At least we can take a shower when we get home and grab a power nap.”
I back out of the parking spot that’s been mine all week. I’m about to go into detail about what we’re going to do after our shower but before the nap when my phone rings over the Bluetooth.
Dean Moretti’s name pops up.
“Shit,” I mutter. “This could be about softball, arson, or stopping by The Speakeasy tonight for a drink.”
Ruby buckles her seatbelt. “That’s a big span of conversation starters.”
I hit go on the screen. “What’s up?’’
He doesn’t greet me. “Crime is up on my watch, and I’m not happy about it. It’s fucking with my stats.”
Ruby butts into the conversation. “That’s my fault. Please don’t talk about me. I’m listening.”
“Oh good. I’ll only have to go over this once,” Dean bites out. “Ansel Reid was pulled over today outside of Chicago.”
I glance at Ruby and some of the tension inside me loosens. “Is he in custody?”
“He is,” Dean confirms. “He was driving a rental issued under a different name. He even tried to use a fake ID, but Chicago PD has spidey senses like the webbed man himself and had reason to believe your ex-client was suspicious. They detained him for running a red light long enough to dig further. Facial recognition to the rescue along with a misdemeanor over a decade ago. Your shady-ass client has been in the system before. And that, my friends-to-lovers, is how good police work is done.”
“That’s great!” Ruby exclaims.
“Wait,” I stop them both. “What about Enzo?”
“I’m a mere mortal, asshole. Give me a break,” Dean bites.
“Sorry.” I grip the wheel as I turn out of town and head home. “I appreciate it. One less person to worry about.”
“I aim to please,” Dean deadpans. “This beats my new gig coming up this summer.”
Ruby pipes in. “You have a new gig? How many more sports leagues can Winslet support?”
“No, I just got out of a meeting with Devon and Felicity. They have something booked for the summer that’s been in the plans since before they opened.
I’m not sure how much I can say, but they’re hiring me on the side to work with Eli Pettit for security.
They need people on the ground familiar with the town. ”
That piques Ruby’s interest. “Why are you so secretive? We’re all best friends. You’re supposed to tell us everything.”
“You don’t have to tell me,” I say. “I don’t give a shit about anything until Enzo Caruso is in prison ... or otherwise incapacitated.”
“Subtle, Payne. Real subtle. I am the police, remember?” Dean mutters.
Ruby doesn’t give up. “Come on, Dean. Give us a hint. Please?”
“Fine. But if you tell your grandma, consider yourself dead to me.” Dean pauses before he gives in. “Coming to a theater near you.”
Ruby gasps. “A movie? They’re going to film a movie at the manor? I work at the manor! This is the best thing ever!”
“Baby, remember that the son of a Mafia boss hates you and is still on the loose,” I remind her.
Ruby shifts in her seat to face me. “I bet his family has already...” She makes the universal sign for slashing her throat. “...taken care of him.”
“I’ve gotta go. I’ve been too busy following up on arson and security meetings and on phone calls with the Chicago PD. I saw your car outside the Combover all day. You’ve turned into a ball and chain.”
Ruby has basically taken over the phone call. “He’s my bodyguard. It’s hot.”
“I’m hanging up before you two freaks hit it while we’re on the phone. Maybe I’ll swing by The Speakeasy this weekend. See you lovebirds around.”
He really does hang up on us.
When we get to my drive, I press the button to open the gate before I reach over to claim Ruby’s hand. “One down, baby. One to go. Then we can sit back and live a long, happy, quiet life.”
She beams and is as radiant as the fucking sun that’s hiding in the clouds. Who needs the sun when I have her in my life? She unbuckles her seatbelt and leans over to press her lips to my cheek. “As far as I’m concerned, Payne, we’re there.”
I pull into the garage, park, and kill the engine before I turn to her. “I hope so, baby. I really hope so.”
Ruby
The Speakeasy is buzzing. Some shows are more electric than others, and tonight is one of them.
This crowd is thriving off of requests, and so are we.
Maybe it was Winnie’s good juju that our tip jar runneth over or these people have more money to burn than sense.
It started when one person placed a big bill on the piano with a request, Blake looked up the sheet music on his tablet, and I went with it.
It started at the beginning of our second set and hasn’t stopped.
Do I know every word to every song requested?
No.
Did I make up shit to fill in the difference?
Yes. Yes, I did.
And they loved it.
It started a domino effect, and the night went long. Blake told me to keep it going, so that’s exactly what I did.
Our last song was scheduled over forty minutes ago. I know Devon doesn’t care what we do. The liquor is flowing, the tips are coming in, and his guests are happy. He pays us to put on a show, and sometimes that requires an extra hour.
It was just a week ago that Payne introduced me as the love of his life at his private client party and planted a kiss on me that will go down in the history books. I would put that kiss up against any Broadway performance. It still takes my breath away.
To think about where my life was a week ago compared to now is overwhelming in the best and worst ways.