Love at the Right Tempo

by Michael Mandrake

  EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ®

  www.evernightpublishing.com

  Copyright© 2017 Michael Mandrake & Remmy Duchene

  ISBN: 978-1-77339-354-4

  Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

  Editor: Karyn White

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  LOVE AT THE RIGHT TEMPO

  Michael Mandrake & Remmy Duchene

  Copyright © 2017

  Chapter One

  Vaughan Singleton sat on the belly of his motorcycle, shoved the visor of his helmet up, and folded his arms. It’d been over a year since Luis Ortega died in active duty. It had taken Vaughan that long to regain some semblance of normalcy in his life. After leaving a veteran’s hospital in Germany, Vaughan knew he’d never be the same. He’d spent months recuperating in the hospital, and then came the therapies. From physio to talking to a shrink, it was all in the name of a seamless reentry into civilian life. Once he was free of everyone who thought they knew what was best for him, Vaughan was then plagued with the difficulties of trying to get settled enough to be considered human again.

  It hadn’t been easy, and if it hadn’t been for Kelliani—

  Vaughan sighed.

  The early afternoon breeze threatened to suffocate him as he remained still on the cycle. Still, Vaughan couldn’t help thinking how lucky he’d been. After Iraq, some veterans had nothing to come home to—no one cared. But Vaughan had Kelliani, and she adored him.

  If it hadn’t been for her, Vaughan would have been like so many other soldiers, coming home to an airport with loved ones hugging everyone but him. Kelliani was there holding a sign that read, “Welcome Home, Captain!” with the letter “A” in the shape of hearts. Then she’d hugged him so tightly, Vaughan thought for sure she’d break him in two. That day was the first time she’d ever met him in person. She’d only known him through words he’d put on a paper for two years. Kelliani never once questioned his sanity, never made him feel less of a man, never shied away from helping him.

  I guess that’s something.

  He drew himself from that memory and focused again on the millions of questions swirling around inside his head. The most insistent of them being, what he would do after a few years of being home? He couldn’t stay a bartender for the rest of his life. Pretty soon no one would want a middle-aged rum slinger.

  Society was vain.

  Then there was the business of what to say to this woman, the wife of the soldier Vaughan had failed to protect. The heaviness of the situation weighed on Vaughan even as he removed the helmet and lifted his leg over the cycle.

  After glancing both ways, he jogged across the street and up the front steps to the porch. If he’d walked, Vaughan knew he’d lose the nerve and turn back. He knocked—there was no turning back after that.

  While he waited for someone to answer, Vaughan turned and looked around the neighborhood as far as his eyes could see. It was nice, partially tree-lined, and all the houses looked like the perfect homes. From white picket fences to children playing in the front yards—all of it seemed like something Vaughan could have gotten used to if only the fates weren’t so cruel.

  “Yes?”

  Vaughan turned. The woman who stood there was so familiar to him though this would be their first meeting. Luis had spoken of her often, showing off the less risqué photos she’d sent him. Vaughan had always smirked whenever Luis didn’t readily hand over a new photo. His friend had been happy with this woman—Luis had loved her so deeply. Every time Luis had spoken of his love, his funny, loving Marietta, Vaughan found himself wondering if he could ever find that. Then the explosion happened.

  That changed everything.

  Marietta was beautiful, with big brown eyes, long black hair, and a face that screamed elegance louder now that he was before her.

  “Um—I…”

  “Captain Singleton,” she said.

  “I’m sorry to be showing up like this now, but…”

  “Are you kidding?” she asked. “Come in.”

  Vaughan hesitated for a second then stepped by her into the house. He stopped, waiting for her to close the door then she led him into the living room. It was quaint, what a home should be.

  “I’m usually at work at this time,” Marietta Ortega said. “But Matt wasn’t feeling well at school so the principal called me to pick him up.”

  “Is he okay?”

  “Yeah—going to be stuffy for a bit. The cold seems to be making its way through the school.” She stopped and eyed him. “Do you want a drink?”

  Vaughan shook his head. “No, thank you, ma’am. I don’t even know why I came.”

  “Well, take a seat.”

  He meant to decline but for some strange reason found himself sitting before his mouth could form the words. Vaughan exhaled long and hard.

  “You don’t need my forgiveness, Captain,” Marietta said.

  “Vaughan, please.”

  “Vaughan. My husband and I knew what he signed up for, and I know he wouldn’t blame you,” Marietta said. “It’s not like you left him there to die. You didn’t walk away from this free and clear. I heard what you did and what happened to you.”

  “But I’m still here.”

  “Survivor’s guilt. That’s what they call it. I know nothing I say can take away what you feel.” She sat beside him. “But Luis adored you. He looked up to you because when he started you were the only one who didn’t treat him like a leper. He told me the things you did for him. Now how could I be angry at the man who helped my husband regain his manhood?”

  “I just wish I could have done more.”

  “More than putting your body on the line trying to save his life? If you’d done more, you would be dead.”

  “And your son would have his father.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  “Yes, I do. Luis would be here, right now.”

  Marietta bowed her head then and exhaled long and hard. “Yes, well—I’m not going to lie and say it hasn’t been hard. For six months, Matt had nightmares about his father’s death. From time to time he still gets rattled, but he’s better.”

  “I probably should go before he wakes up. Seeing me may bring all of that back.”

  “One day he’s going to have questions—ones I won’t be able to answer about his father and what happened.”

  “I’ll be here.”

  “You sure about that, Vaughan?”

  “I promise.”

  “Good.” Marietta hugged Vaughn, and for a second he merely sat there, hands in his lap. The truth was, aside from Kelliani, he wasn’t sure how to really be close to anyone, especially after he woke up in that hospital bed alone and terrified.

  “You can stop by whenever you’d like. You were family to Luis, so that means you’re family to us.”

  Vaughan sat back and smiled while picking up his helmet from beside him. The truth was he didn’t remember even putting the thing down. He had to nod, for if he said a word, he knew his voice would crack. They chatted all the way to the front door, and finally, he said goodbye and made his way back across the street to his motorcycle.

  Just as he tossed his leg over the cycle, a movement caught his attention. He shifted to notice a teenage boy standing on the other side of the road with his hands
stuck in his pocket. Vaughan had to squint due to the sunlight and the kid looked a little buffer than the pictures Luis had, but Vaughan knew that was Matt Ortega. The size of the teenager didn’t surprise Vaughan. Luis had said Matt was trying out for his school’s football team—Vaughan was going to guess, Matt made the cut.

  Luis would have been proud.

  What was he going to say to Matt? How was he supposed to even react to the teen? Vaughan licked his lips and watched the kid walk across the street. All the while, Vaughan’s heart hammered inside him as if it wanted to leap out of his chest.

  “You’re Captain Singleton, aren’t you?” Matt asked. He sniffled, then used his sleeve to wipe his nose.

  Vaughan hesitated. He remembered what Marietta said about Matt’s nightmares. For a second he debated lying.

  “Come on. Everyone’s treating me like I’m fragile.” Matt frowned, the same look Luis had when the soldier was frustrated. “I lost my father, man. I’m not dead. I just wish people would quit handling me.”

  “Yeah,” Vaughan replied. “I’m Singleton.”

  Matt Sneezed. “And the two of you were close, right?”

  “Um … you should be in bed.”

  “Close enough for you to shield him with your body.” Matt ignored the statement and pressed on. “—and don’t give me this whole crap about how that’s what soldiers do. Mom tried that, and I don’t buy it.”

  “Yes. We were close. Your father treated me like a brother. And I needed a brother.”

  Matt seemed satisfied with that. He nodded. “Were you badly hurt?”

  “Yes.” He could have lied. But what would be the point? From the short conversation he’d had with the kid, Vaughan could tell Matt was like his father—a fucking human lie detector.

  “Can I see?”

  “Matt, I don’t think…”

  “Please.”

  Vaughan bowed his head for a silent breath. The only person he’d ever been naked in front of since the incident was Kelliani. Hell, Vaughan didn’t even like seeing himself naked. That was the reason he kept covering the mirrors in this apartment. They never stayed that way, for Kelliani uncovered them whenever she visited—which was all the damn time. Relenting, Vaughan set his helmet over the handlebar. He removed his leather jacket and lifted the back right of his graphic shirt.

  He looked away from Matt as the teen craned in neck to survey the scars. It felt like an eternity. Vaughan held his breath until Matt patted his shoulder. He let the shirt fall back in place and hauled on his jacket before meeting Matt’s eyes.

  “You’re very lucky, Captain,” Matt said, wiping across his nose with the back of his hand before sneezing once more. “You should feel that way.”

  Vaughan studied the teen, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

  “Thank you for trying to save my dad.”

  “What?”

  “You expected me to freak out?” Matt asked. “Blame you for what happened?”

  “Honestly? Yes.”

  Matt smiled sadly. “I did, for a while. Maybe for like a second. I wondered why you couldn’t have saved Dad. But it all boils down to the fact you didn’t put that explosive device there. You didn’t send my dad to Iraq.”

  Vaughan nodded silently before picking up the dog tags that lay on his chest. He wore two sets—his own and Luis Ortega’s. Singling his friend’s dog tags out, he then lifted them over his head. “Here,” Vaughan said.

  Matt held out his palm, and Vaughan gently placed the tags in. “But he gave them to you…”

  “Yes. He gave them to me because he thought I needed the strength.” Vaughan’s voice cracked so he inhaled deeply and cleared his throat. “And now I’m giving them to you. He was your dad, and I know you will take good care of them. Your father was a good man, Matt. He loved you and your mom and his country. When other men hid away from their responsibilities he never once complained. He did what he had to, and you should be proud of that. Okay?”

  Matt nodded, closing his fingers around the silver dog tags.

  “Do you know Prince’s over on Calhoune Street?”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s where I work. I haven’t gotten around to getting a cell phone yet, but even if I’m not there, ask for Kelliani. She’ll know where to find me.”

  “She your girlfriend?”

  Vaughan laughed. Matt wasn’t the first person to ask that question. “No. She’s just a really good friend.”

  “Like your best friend?”

  “Yeah. If you need anything—that’s where you can find me.”

  “Thanks, Captain…”

  “It’s Vaughan. My friends call me V.”

  Matt grinned. “V … I like it.”

  Vaughan reached for his helmet and pulled it down over his head. He adjusted it then pulled the strap under his chin and latched it. “See you around, Kid.” Vaughan flipped the visor in place and pushed the engine to life.

  “Later.”

  ****

  It was an hour later before Vaughan made it to Prince’s. He’d stopped to pick up a cell phone. The phone was something he’d been putting off since returning. It had been an added expense he didn’t need to eat up more of his savings. Fortunately, Kelliani took him in for a little while, helped him get his job at the posh, downtown restaurant and then his own place in the same apartment building she lived in. Things were beginning to look up—aside from the cursed nightmares.

  Exhaling loudly, he used his access card and let himself through the security door to the side of the building. He took the elevator up to the thirtieth floor and after another swipe of his card, walked into the elegance that was Prince’s. Sitting in the sand in Iraq, eating from tin bowls, Vaughan had never thought he’d make it home much less work in a place like Prince’s. It was extravagant and expensive. The view alone was worth anything anyone could spend in the place. The window seats were always the first to go during reservation bookings—hell, he was pretty sure those tables were booked for the rest of the year and halfway into the next.

  He walked by sleekly set tables with white linen clothes. In the middle of each table sat a slim, glass vase with a single blue rose—it wasn’t the plastic kind either—only the best for the clients. The walls of Prince’s were bathed in a soft, blue light. Each night, the color changed—Vaughan found the blue soothed him the best. On the wall in the far left was a fountain that flowed silently, the waters dazzling in the romantic lighting. All the way to the right, sat Vaughan’s station, one of the best stocked bars he’d ever come across, and after returning from Iraq, he visited tons of them. The bottles were laid out on high shelves like badges of honor.

  “Sin!” Kelliani Masters cheered.

  Vaughan whipped around in time to catch her against his chest by wrapping his free hand around her hips since his other held his helmet. Her pink and black dreadlocks smacked him in the face. Vaughan grunted.

  “Where have you been?”

  “I had something to do. What’s up?”

  “Dude.” She stood back to peer up at him suspiciously. “You’re not changed! You only have like five minutes.”

  “Is Patrick here?”

  “Not yet. He said he was going to swing by later. I’m assuming it’s to see you.”

  Vaughan nodded. Patrick had taken a shine to him from the interview and given him the job on the spot.

  “Then I’d better hop to, right?” Vaughan tried to walk away, but she tightened her arms around his waist. “Kelly, I have to change.”

  “You okay?”

  “Fine. I promise.” To stress his point, Vaughan dropped a chaste kiss to her lips. “Now let me go. I have to change, and you know how I have two left hands when it comes to my tie.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll help a brother out.”

  Vaughan laughed and escorted her into the change room. “I bought a new cell phone.” He pulled the phone out and handed it to Kelliani. As he opened his locker, he glanced over to see she was typing away at her phone wh
ile looking at his.

  “About time,” Kelliani said, handing his phone back. “I now have your number.”

  He grinned.

  While Kelliani sat on one of the leather chairs toying with his helmet, he proceeded to change from his leather jacket, jeans, and graphic shirt into black slacks and a black dress shirt. After tucking the hems of the shirt into his pants, he buttoned it and zipped up. Next to go on was his tie. True to form, Kelliani set the helmet on her vacated chair and walked over to help him.

  “I went to see Luis’s wife and kid,” Vaughan confessed.

  “Oh yeah?” Kelliani hadn’t liked the idea. She thought it had been too long and they might have begun moving on already.

  “Yeah. They welcomed me with open arms.”

  “That’s good. How’s the kid taking his dad’s death?”

  Vaughan shrugged. “He seems okay. His mom said he had nightmares for a while.”

  “I can imagine. Well, there you go. Handsome as always.” She patted his chest and offered her cheek.

  Smiling, Vaughan dropped a kiss there.

  “I’ll see you later,” Kelliani said. “I have to finish my prep in the kitchen and assign my crew. You’re off tomorrow, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Can we have a date morning?”

  “Are you asking me out, Kelliani Masters?”

  Kelliani giggled. “You wish. I might call you Sin, but you’re not sinful enough for me, darling.”

  “Freak!”

  “And if I had a flag, I’d wave it.” Kelliani kissed his shoulder then headed for the door humming “Super Freak” as she went.

  No matter how tough anyone thought Vaughan was, he had a soft spot for Kelliani with her dual colored dreadlocks, more piercings than a person had a right to have, and tattoos discreetly hidden on her body. She’d shown him two people could have a friendship that was worth more than money, a bond that could only be forged through shared hardships and understandings. With that thought firmly in place, Vaughan dove into his shift, first making preparations for the night, then putting on a smile for all who dared entered his space.