The Crescendo

by Fiona Palmer

  ‘His name is Reece,’ said Stevo.

  ‘And he has a girlfriend,’ said Bud.

  Ryan was shaken from his musings and those piercing eyes.

  ‘Hi, Reece with a girlfriend. I’m Jeni. Here’s your change.’ Jaz waited for him to hold out his hand before dumping the coins into it.

  Then she moved over to where Bud sat. ‘I reckon I have time for a game soon. You think you’re ready? Want to go practice some more?’ she teased.

  Ryan felt his chest tighten as he watched her flirt with Bud. He’d already figured when they called her Jeni that she was undercover too. Who had sent her in? He could guess why they got her to do it, already she was making headway with these boys. She knew all their names and seemed to be on good terms with them. Just how long had she been working here? It had been, what? Nearly two months or more since he’d last seen her? Was it three? Yet he knew she was the girl for the job, going on the performance she’d just given. She was cool as a cucumber around him, but he was dying to know if she was jittery on the inside like he was. Did she still want him? Probably not after he’d pushed her away, but that was for her own good, he’d been protecting her. Or maybe was he protecting himself?

  As he admired her perfectly fit backside from all those high kicks she loved to dish out when they used to spar, he wondered if he had been in love with her all along and was just afraid to admit it. With the agency and their undercover roles, how would it ever work?

  But for the first time Ryan realised he didn’t care. He loved Jaz and having this time away from her had made him understand he never wanted to be apart from her again. He wanted her to be his girlfriend. His real one, just his alone.

  ‘Can you play pool, Stevo, or darts? Wanna game?’ he asked, trying to focus on his mission and not Jaz’s gorgeous body taunting him. He needed a distraction and pool or darts seemed like a good idea.

  ‘Yeah, I don’t mind darts. These buggers’d rather play pool but I used to play in a club back in the day,’ he said rising from his chair.

  ‘Cool. Best you take it easy on me then.’

  ‘Take him to the cleaners,’ said Wilkins.

  Ryan didn’t glance back to see Jaz, instead he put all his energy into playing with Stevo. He had to work hard to give the old guy some competition. ‘I don’t think you’ve got rusty at all, Stevo,’ he said after their first game.

  ‘You’re doing alright, don’t you worry. Give it a few more rounds and you’ll get your eye in. You’ve got a good throw.’

  ‘You think?’ Stevo nodded and finished his beer. ‘Would you like another one?’

  ‘Yeah alright. Let’s get this next game started first.’

  ‘So how long have you had this job?’ Ryan asked him as he threw his three darts.

  ‘Working for Jamison? About fifteen years. I watched Annaliese grow up before my eyes.’

  ‘I bet it was hard on her growing up without her mum,’ said Ryan.

  ‘Yeah, and with Jamison off doing his work. Sylvia, Mrs Latina, his housekeeper, practically raised her. She still works at his first home, where Annaliese grew up.’

  ‘I met Mrs Latina, she helped fix up my cut. She wasn’t afraid to speak frankly to Jamison,’ he said as he remembered her telling Jamison that his cut needed stitches.

  ‘She’s the only person who can get away with that, ya know. Probably because she helped raise Annaliese. I wouldn’t want to cross her.’

  ‘That’s how I feel with Randall,’ said Ryan with a grimace.

  ‘Na, Randall’s alright once you get to know him. He sometimes comes to the pub but it’s not often he likes to leave Jamison’s side. He is the job. But he seems to like you if he sent you down here.’

  ‘Told me to call him Randall, too,’ Ryan added.

  Stevo’s eyebrows shot up. ‘Well, there you go. You’ll fit in here okay. It’s just different for the guys to work with someone who’s dating the boss’s daughter, you know?’

  ‘Yeah, I get that. It’s not easy for me either. Actually, Annaliese makes it hard to stay professional.’

  Stevo chuckled. ‘She’s always loved the attention, that one. And Jamison gave it to her in spades when he could. Spoiled her more like it, but as a dad, we tend to do these things.’

  Ryan put down the dart he was about to throw. ‘You got kids?’

  He nodded. ‘Yep, just a girl. She’s all grown up now. Lives with her mother north of the city. But I tried to be there for her when I could. They change your life.’

  Ryan finished off throwing his darts and wrote up his score with the chalk on the board. ‘So is Wilkins okay? Does he hate me for getting his job? It’s not like I was after it.’

  Stevo stepped closer, his darts in hand. ‘Pay no mind to Wilkins, he’s a slack bastard who complains far too much. This is probably just what he needed to get him moving. He’ll get over it soon enough cos everyone will have stopped listening to him.’ He gave Ryan a wink. ‘And Bud you don’t have to worry about. He likes everyone and loves to chat.’

  ‘Chatting up the barmaid, more like it,’ Ryan said with a chuckle.

  They both turned towards the pool table where Jaz and Bud were playing a game while Wilkins watched on.

  ‘He’s not the only one. Wilkins will give it his best shot if he doesn’t bore her to death. But she’s a good sort, Jeni. She reminds me of my sister when she was younger. So free, full of life and friendly as. You don’t get those sorts these days, that want to take the time for a chat.’

  Ryan was trying to keep an eye on their pool game, hoping that when they finished Jaz would go back to the bar and he could go and get their beers at the same time. He just wanted to have a moment with Jaz, without the other guys. Luckily they went into another game as Stevo was enjoying himself, his empty glass forgotten. He pushed Jaz to the side so he could focus on asking Stevo some more questions. This was the most he’d ever got out of Stevo besides the morning ‘hello’. This is where he could cement a better relationship, one where Stevo and the others would open up to him. Still, he knew it could take time before they shared anything of use.

  A roar of laughter went up by the pool table. Jaz looked like she was having fun, she was so good at her job. But it did make his ten times harder.

  The love of his life was across the room. His eyes feasted on her in the short time he was allowed, while his body remained in tune to her position always.

  Chapter 18

  Jaz laughed loudly, which wasn’t normally her thing but she was still so nervous and jittery from seeing Ryan. She was at the bar when he first walked in and joined the guys at the table. He hadn’t seen her but by golly she’d seen him. It was hard not to. Tall, jeans hanging from his body like a magazine model’s and that shirt clung to him perfectly. It didn’t seem out of place like Bud’s too-tight shirt.

  Ryan had taken long strides, his hair cut short and neat, his dark eyes taking in his workmates. Jaz had all but melted into a pool of desire behind the bar. It felt like she had waited for this moment for ages, and yet here he was. Finally.

  Her restraint was put to the test. This is where she had to act the part, pretend he was no one special. Which was hard when the guy you loved, and had missed like crazy, was just a stone’s throw away. But Ryan wouldn’t be impressed if she slipped up, or gave anything away. So Jaz had steeled herself to be strong, just like at the wedding. No matter what she felt on the inside, it’s what showed on the outside that counted. Then Bud had waved and she’d had to face Ryan for the first time.

  His shock had been noticeable to her, she knew his dark chocolate eyes like the back of her hand. They’d almost flecked with gold when he looked upon her. Jaz had felt a fire burn all over her body.

  But she was sure she played it cool enough. Ryan took it all in his stride and his mates were none the wiser.

  Now she chalked up the pool cue and took a moment to glance at Ryan while Bud and Wilkins were behind her. Gosh darn it, he was so hot she was having trouble functioning.


  ‘Here ya go, Wilkins. I’ll play the winner out of you two. I better get back and serve some beer for a bit, okay? I’ll be back.’

  ‘We’ll be here,’ said Bud. ‘Oh hey.’

  Jaz stopped and Bud reached for her hand, slipping some money into it. Then he gave her a smile.

  ‘Two?’ she asked.

  ‘Yes, please. Thanks Jeni.’ Bud let her hand go and Jaz made her way back to the bar.

  She got their beers ready and then Ted took them to Bud while Jaz was filling up more glasses for the old guys sitting at the bar.

  ‘Can I get two more, please?’

  Her heart did skip a beat upon hearing Ryan’s voice and she savoured the feeling. As she reached for two glasses to fill, she glanced his way. ‘Sure thing.’ Those eyes. Looking away was the hardest thing and she found her hand was shaking as she tried to fill the glass.

  ‘Here ya go.’ Jaz put the glasses in front of Ryan.

  ‘Thank you, Jeni.’ He said her name as if it was a question. ‘What a surprise.’

  ‘A good one I hope,’ she said, taking his money slowly so she could drag out this interlude.

  ‘Definitely.’

  He smiled. It was just for her. She wanted to kiss him more than she wanted oxygen.

  ‘You worked here long?’ His question sounded normal amongst the bar chatter, but Jaz knew he was after specifics.

  ‘Nearly a month. It’s a good job. I like it. Much better now though,’ she said, dropping her voice for the last part. She gave him his change; the brief touch of his skin drove her mad with longing.

  ‘I really like this pub. I think I’ll be back quite a bit.’ Another smile.

  ‘Good.’ She grinned back and hoped it wasn’t too goofy. Ryan turned and left with the beers after pocketing his change.

  Jaz would have like to watch him walk away, perve on his lovely backside, but she knew better. She served another bloke, checked they all had plenty of nuts left in their baskets before making her way back to Bud and Wilkins. She passed Ted on her way.

  ‘Hey, boss. Okay if I keep playing some pool with the guys? Puleeese,’ she begged.

  Ted nodded his head. ‘Ah, may as well,’ he sighed. ‘You won’t get a chance tomorrow. Steak night, they’ll need you in the kitchen I reckon.’

  ‘Yeah, righto. No problems,’ she said with a smile.

  ‘You do that to me every time, twist me around your finger, don’t you. Go on, get.’ Ted walked off muttering something to himself.

  Jaz skipped off to the pool table. ‘So who won?’ she asked.

  ‘Me,’ said Wilkins. Bud was frowning.

  ‘Only by one shot. Was a close game,’ Bud added.

  After they started their game Jaz tried her luck at some more questions, directed at Bud, the talker.

  ‘So is that other fella with the girlfriend another workmate?’

  Wilkins laughed. ‘Kind of. He’s dating the boss’s daughter so we know how he got the job.’

  ‘You don’t like him?’ Jaz asked.

  Wilkins shook his head as Bud said, ‘He’s alright.’ Wilkins frowned. ‘Well, he is. It’s not his fault the boss promoted him. He did happen to save his arse.’

  ‘Jeez, didn’t take you long to jump onto the Reece ship, did it. What? You think boss will notice you if you’re Reece’s best mate, is that it?’ Wilkins was getting revved up, the pool forgotten.

  Bud’s face went a little pink but he didn’t back down from Wilkins. Maybe he was used to it?

  ‘Well, he’s a lot nicer to talk to than you sometimes. Maybe if you gave the guy a break you’d see he’s alright.’

  ‘You think everyone is alright, Bud. You’re like a sad puppy looking for friends.’

  ‘Hey,’ said Jaz.

  Wilkins shrugged. ‘Just saying it how I see it.’

  ‘He wouldn’t like to hear what I’d have to say if I said it how I saw it,’ said Bud with a smirk.

  ‘What are you implying, midget,’ said Wilkins standing toe to toe with him.

  ‘Now, now Wilkins. We have a game to finish.’ Jaz tried to stand in between them and push Wilkins away. ‘How about you have a break before you say something you’ll regret.’

  Wilkins looked at her, she could see his mind ticking over. He wasn’t finished with Bud but he didn’t want to do anything in front of Jaz. He must have thought he had a chance with her, or maybe he just wanted to beat Bud.

  His lip twitched and then eventually he stepped back. He took his pool cue and went to find a ball to hit.

  Jaz put her hand on Bud. ‘Sorry, it’s my job to deal with that,’ she said softly. ‘Tosser,’ she added in a whisper.

  Bud smiled. And over his shoulder she caught Ryan’s gaze. He’d been watching but didn’t interfere. Which was a good thing, as he didn’t need another reason for Wilkins to get on his high horse and cause a scene.

  The rest of the night went well. No more problems with Wilkins. He did go home first, which was nice because the other two guys and Ryan seemed to get on really well. Jaz would try to catch snippets of the conversation as she passed. Sometimes she’d stop by with the next round and stay for a chat.

  At one point she was out the back, getting the floor swept before they closed up for the night. As she took a bag of rubbish out to the bin, Ryan came down the narrow corridor for the toilet.

  ‘Hey you,’ he said with glossy eyes. He’d had a few beers, was still in total control.

  ‘Hey yourself,’ she said. ‘Can you open the back door for me, please?’

  No one was around but still, just to be safe they played their parts. Ryan nodded and pushed open the heavy door for her as she lugged out the big bag.

  Outside it was dark and the only light Jaz had to work off was from the windows, as the back light had blown a few nights ago. Ted was supposed to have fixed it already.

  Ryan followed her outside but held onto the door to help shed some light. Jas dumped the rubbish into the bin, which was a step away. She felt Ryan’s hand on her arm as he let the door fully shut. He pulled her in for a hug and she didn’t fight it one bit. To be leaning against his chest again was pure heaven. No words were spoken but Jaz had a funny feeling that he’d kissed the top of her head in that short moment.

  Then he was gone, back inside, and Jaz was left in the darkness. The hug had been amazing but over so soon she was struggling to think it had even happened. How had he smelt? She remembered breathing him in, so familiar, but now it was disappearing from her grasp. She didn’t go straight inside. She needed a moment to savour what had just happened. It was everything and yet it wasn’t enough. Jaz hugged herself, trying to remember the pressure and feel of his strong arms around her. His skin had been warm against her face as she’d tucked herself against his neck.

  Why had he done that? Was he just happy to see someone he knew? Did she look like she needed a hug?

  Reefing open the door, she locked it and went back to the bar. Ryan, Stevo and Bud were standing up by the table as if they were about to leave. Jaz headed straight over there.

  ‘You heading off?’ Jaz said, moving to Bud’s side.

  ‘Yep, you need to close up,’ he said with a wink.

  ‘I’m going to give them both a ride home. I’ve paced my drinks, they didn’t,’ said Ryan.

  ‘I can drive you home, Bud, if you don’t mind waiting around?’ Jaz guessed this might be dangerous territory, but think of what Bud might discuss with just the two of them and no one else. Jaz’s mind was going crazy at all the possibilities, until she saw Ryan’s face. There was a lot of black in his eyes, making them look less brown every second and more like thunderous clouds.

  ‘It’s okay, Jeni. I work with these guys, they’re my problem not yours. You finish up and get home to bed.’ Ryan’s tone was soft and sweet but the hidden meaning in his eyes wasn’t.

  He didn’t want her taking a drunk Bud home. Fair enough. For now Jaz let it go, but if the chance came up again and Ryan wasn’t here to bail her out, she’d t
ake it. No reward without risk.

  She walked them out, chatting as they went. ‘I’ll see you guys later.’ By the door she caught Ryan’s glance and it was filled with so much longing it nearly crippled her right there and then. She felt exactly the same.

  As they walked away Jaz wondered what had changed with Ryan, making him like this after he’d clearly tried to push her away at the wedding. Maybe it was just the fact that it had been a while since he’d seen her, seen anyone he knew.

  Jaz couldn’t even begin to understand how hard it must be to go deep undercover and give up your life as you know it.

  After Jaz cleaned up the bar and knocked off, she eventually got home, walking into the gym and feeling a warmth spread over her. Home. Her life. Her friends. She thought of Ryan alone in his strange flat, or with Annaliese.

  ‘Annaliese,’ she almost spat out. She didn’t want to allow her mind to go there. At all.

  ‘Is that you, Jaz?’ came Anna’s voice from the bedroom.

  Jaz put her backpack on the kitchen table and made her way to her friend. ‘No, it’s a big bad burglar,’ she whispered. Anna was curled up in her bed, on the opposite side of the room slept Tay, snoring softly. ‘But no burglar would break in with that motor running,’ she teased.

  Anna giggled. ‘I find it comforting. Let’s me know that he’s still here and I’m not alone.

  ‘You could just snuggle up next to him and you wouldn’t be alone,’ Jaz teased.

  Even in the dim light from the kitchen Jaz saw Anna’s eyes enlarge. ‘Jasmine,’ she scoffed.

  Jaz knelt down by her bed so she was really close to Anna. ‘Guess what?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘I saw Ryan tonight.’ Jaz couldn’t keep the happiness from her voice.

  ‘No way, really? Tell me more.’ Anna moved closer to the end of the bed, their faces really close. ‘Oh, you smell like beer.’