by Kacey Shea
“Well, you’re my trainer and I’m a client. Doesn’t that break some kind of rule?”
Tate just laughed. “If that’s your only hold up then I’ll transfer you to another trainer now! I’ve never had so much fun with someone as I do with you. I don’t usually let people get close to me, but with you I feel I should let you in. I’d really like to take you on a date, Evie.” His sincere smile did me in.
“Okay. I’d like that too, Tate,” I answered honestly. I’d have to sort the rest out, but right now my heart demanded I agree to one date. I had to see where the feelings I had for Tate were even going. He smiled broadly at my response, his dimples popping out.
“Okay, how does tomorrow work for you?”
“I think tomorrow could work for me.”
“I work until two, so how about four o’clock? I can pick you up at your apartment.”
Crap. I didn’t want him coming to my apartment. I didn’t want Jon meeting him, at least not yet. “How about I meet you at your place instead?”
“Okay, till then . . . I’m looking forward to it.” Tate backed away with a grin before turning and striding inside the building. As I proceeded to start my car I knew I was headed down a slippery slope. I needed to figure out what to do. As much as I wanted to feel bad about pursuing my feelings for Tate over the case, I just couldn’t. My body shivered in anticipation of our date tomorrow. Right or wrong, I just couldn’t seem to care. I drove home with a big smile on my face.
The ringing of my cell phone interrupted Kate’s careful application of my eyeliner. I don’t know how, but Kate had somehow coerced me into a night on the town. It probably had to do with the shots we drank when we met up for dinner this evening. I hadn’t seen my girl in a few days and I could use a night of uncomplicated feelings. So when she suggested we go out dancing and surprise Jon later at the bar where he worked security, I agreed. A few shots later I also approved her to play dress up and make over my face. We were in her loft apartment downtown getting ready to go out when my phone sounded again.
“Okay, I need to get that.”
She put down the pencil and I rushed over to my purse, noting the blocked number flashing across the screen of my phone before answering.
“Hello, this is Evelyn.”
“Evelyn Harper?” A cheerful voice sounded through the phone.
“Yes, speaking.”
“I’m sorry, dear. I just got your message from earlier. We don’t always get the best reception down here. You said you had some questions about my daughter?”
Ah-ha! Jolene Blackman. I wracked my brain for an intelligent question, struggling at the moment. The alcohol I consumed earlier was seemingly not the best idea in hindsight.
“Yes, I just had a few questions if you don’t mind.”
“Sure thing, doll. I only have a few minutes, though. It’s Friday night and we’re about to go dancing!”
“Okay, then. I wondered how often you speak with your girls? Violet in particular.”
“Oh, I don’t know. We spoke at Christmas, I know that. I’m sure there have been other times since, but I just can’t recall when.” Well, since it was now March, I had to assume she didn’t speak with them often.
“Okay, I was just wondering if you knew whether Violet was interested in learning to dance?”
She laughed wildly. “Violet? Oh God, no! The poor girl has two left feet. We put her in ballet when she was only five and the poor thing couldn’t even get through class without falling at least ten times!”
“Okay, I wondered if maybe her interests had changed after you yourself took to dance classes?”
“What? I’m sorry, but who are you again? I already gave Harold full custody of the girls. I’m not interested in being in their lives, so if you’re trying to insinuate I’m a bad mother for falling in love with my dance instructor, you’re barking up the wrong tree, honey. AJ and I had some wild times together, I wouldn’t trade them for the world.”
“No, no, nothing like that. I was actually just curious about the dancing.”
“Oh. Well, he was a good dancer too. Excellent teacher, really. In more than just dancing. Good Lord, that man was blessed with moves that would make your head spin. Wow! I haven’t thought about AJ in ages. What a trip!”
“Wait, I thought you moved to Mexico with your dance instructor?”
“Oh, no. That was the original plan but he got cold feet. Wanted to stay in the States and pursue his career. Honey, he was a good fuck but there are other fish in the sea, and I wasn’t going to live in that godforsaken town another moment. His loss really! I moved down here alone, but I tell you, I haven’t had a problem finding myself a man or two, if you know what I mean.”
Yeah, I knew what she meant. Wow, this woman was a piece of work. There was no need to read between the lines. I would hate to hear her talk when she wasn’t holding back. There were a few muted voices in the background before she continued.
“Okay, Evelyn, I’ve got to run, dear! Bye, now!”
“Okay, thank you so much for your time—” I barely got the words about before the call went dead. I dropped my phone back into my purse. Well, that was another dead end. Not sure I learned anything from that conversation other than verifying Jolene’s love of adventure and promiscuous sex.
“Okay bitch, get over here. I’m not done with your makeup!” Kate called from her vanity. I giggled. Kate liked to use foul language as it was. Get a few drinks in her and she was outrageous. I was certain a night spent dancing with her was exactly what I needed to clear my mind.
THREE AFTERNOONS OF TAILING VIOLET Blackman and I was back in the exact spot as before. It was strange to me that she wouldn’t let her father know where she spent all her time, but maybe it was just her own way of acting out as a rebellious teenager. Maybe she was worried her dad wouldn’t be supportive since dance lessons were the catalyst that seemingly ended her parents’ relationship. I hoped we could find some real answers but I felt we were close to hitting a brick wall in the investigation, especially if Jolene didn’t call back soon. She could be a dead end as well.
It was nearing seven o’clock and I needed to head over to my part-time gig working security. Usually Violet didn’t head home until sometime between nine or ten, but the perfectionist in me just couldn’t leave on the chance something changed this evening.
I watched the front door as I had been the past few nights when Violet exited the studio. This time, however, she had changed from her school uniform and was wearing a pair of short cutoff jeans and a fitted plain black tee. A man followed closely behind her and she laughed, I could see they were speaking but I was parked too far away to make out any words.
I kept an eye on them as they walked to her car, and reached over the seat behind me for my camera. I found it and used it to take a few pictures of the man. He seemed young, but I couldn’t tell his age. He was dressed in a black shirt with the Dance Connection logo across the back. As the couple talked together I took a few more pictures and studied their body language through the lens.
The man opened the driver’s side door and Violet slid inside, shutting the car door and starting the car. She remained in park and lowered the window. The man glanced around the parking lot a few times as he continued to talk with Violet. After a few minutes he backed away from the open car window and jogged back into the studio. Violet had a smile on her face as she pulled out of the lot. I put away the camera and started my truck to head in to work. At least the case had a new lead, though I wasn’t sure what it meant. Whoever the young man was, I would find out.
Back for my third weekend working security at a bar in downtown and I was so over this scene. An acquaintance from high school, Matt Greenhall, owned School of Rock, a typical bar turned nightclub on the weekends. We packed up most of the tables and chairs, leaving only a few high tops and the bar seating to create a temporary dance floor. Tonight’s DJ was a local star so the place would be packed.
I wasn’t much for the bar sc
ene as it was; a bunch of people sitting around drinking overpriced beer just seemed like a waste to me. Personally, I’d rather buy a six pack of my favorite beer and just stay home, but I knew I wasn’t like most people. These nights were more like a meat market, men and women dressed to impress and playing a game of cat and mouse. Some looked for a hook up, some looked to have fun with friends, and a few shady characters looked to prey on the most vulnerable. I hated the entire thing.
Tonight was like most weekends I’d spent here. The dance floor was packed and the whole bar thumped to the bass of the music. It was nearing ten o’clock and the whole place was starting to fill up, the team of men working security now having to watch both the crowds and the doors with close scrutiny. There was always at least one person who drank one too many or decided to play Mister Tough Guy, who had to try and ruin everybody’s good time. It was our job to prevent that from taking place inside the bar.
I was currently on floor duty, watching both the dance floor and steady flow of people to and from the bar. So far, the night was fairly uneventful, but that was sure to change in a few hours after more alcohol was consumed. I had my back against a wall where I could see the entire floor and surveyed the room, looking for any signs of trouble when a flash of sparkle caught the corner of my eye from the front door. Fuck me. Two women dressed in a way that drew every male eye in the bar stood next to Nick, one of the other bouncers. Nick was flirting as he collected cover and checked their IDs. It was Kate and Evie.
Kate was dressed in an indecently short, form fitting dress made out of material similar to a mirrored disco ball. The tiny squared mirrors covering the fabric caught the dim lighting, sending shimmering sparkles in every direction and catching every wandering eye. Her tan, smooth legs atop a pair of black strappy heels made her toned legs appear even longer than usual. She had pulled her long straight blond locks into a high ponytail. She looked like a fucking wet dream.
Evie was beautiful, dressed in a short black dress, covered in sheer black lace with long sleeves. The cut of the dress accentuated her flawless curvy figure. She had the decency to cover her legs with black leggings and wore a pair of short booted heels, giving off a rocker-chick look that was both modest and alluring. QT had worn her hair down, something she didn’t do often and it framed her beautifully made up face.
I chuckled. I was sure Kate was behind the hair and makeup and would have loved to witness that argument. Together they had just transformed my boring evening of security detail into a stress induced night of torment. Every guy in this place would be hitting on my friends and I wasn’t going to like it. Not one bit.
Because I worked here and those guys were customers, I would have to watch myself and be nicer than I wanted. I also would be subjected to watching these two having a great time without my company. Thanks to their outfits, I’d be fighting off the urge to daydream about Evie and Kate the entire night. And probably weeks to come.
They caught me staring and both lit up with huge smiles, running over as best they could in those outrageous heels and ceremoniously each giving me a big hug. Kate leaned in close to kiss my cheek and yell into my ear. “What’s up hot stuff?” She released me with a giggle. I could smell the tequila on her breath and guessed these two had started the party before they got here. Oh great, now that I knew these two were well on their way to being drunk, I’d have to watch them closer than I should while on the clock.
“I didn’t know you were stopping by tonight?” I yelled over the loud music and Evie grinned.
“Kate said I needed to loosen up and have a night of dancing!”
Kate responded by making that ridiculous woo sound that all girls seem to make when surrounded by other girls, throwing her hands above her head in the process, making her skirt indecently short. I was surprised she hadn’t shown the entire club her ass with the movement. I rolled my eyes at them and gave them a look of warning.
“Just please stay out of trouble, you two.”
They both just laughed.
“We aren’t here to start a fight! We’re here to party!” Kate linked her hand in Evie’s and they pranced over to find a spot on the crowded dance floor. Yep. That was exactly what I was afraid of.
The next two hours were pure hell as I watched my girls out there bumping and grinding to the music. Countless men approached them, trying for a chance to dance in close or just cop a feel. I was happy to see QT and Kate steered clear of the bar for the most part, thankfully keeping a clear sense of judgement throughout the evening. I couldn’t say the same for the endless stream of douchebags who continued to approach them.
My jaw hurt from clenching it, and I was wound tight. The one guy at the bar who tried to start a fight paid the price of my pent up frustration. When I grabbed the back of his shirt to escort him outside the man looked as though he was about to have a heart attack.
When Kate and Evie danced their way over to me as the clock turned midnight, I barely had a hold on my last thread of sanity.
“Hey there, sexy bouncer man! Wanna dance with us?” Kate called out. Evie and Kate each grabbed one of my arms in an attempt to drag me onto the dance floor.
“I’m working,” I responded a little too sternly.
“You’re no fun, Jon!” Kate pouted.
Evie added, “Yeah, you need to relax and have some fun with us! Trust me, I didn’t want to either, but Kate made me and now I’m glad she did!”
They grinned at each other. “I love you, Kate!”
“I love you more, Evie!”
Some asshole took their proclamation as an invitation to the private conversation.
“I’d like to take you both home and you can show me how much you love each other. Wanna get out of here?” In a pair of dress slacks, a white dress shirt and loosened tie, this smooth acting ass had pushed my last button. He slipped an arm around Kate and whispered something in her ear.
“Back off, asshole. These two are taken.” I crowded his personal space and gave his shoulder a light shove. I gripped Kate’s thin wrist but he kept his hold. Dude was lit and didn’t seem to think I meant business. He challenged me with a snarky tone.
“I think the ladies can answer for themselves, prick.”
I took one calming breath. “Hands off. Now.”
He laughed in my face. “Make me.”
Evie had already started to back away as the man approached. Now Kate was helplessly caught with this jackass’s arm locked around her one side, my hand still wound around her opposite wrist.
“Come on baby, you wanna come home with me tonight, don’t ya?” He leaned in to kiss her and the frightened look she gave made me react without even thinking.
I yanked Kate in the direction of Evie, which threw the douchebag off balance. I lunged forward; my knee connected with his balls, my elbow slammed into his face. Blood gushed all over me. He tried to throw a punch and missed. “You motherfucker!” he yelled. I grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back. He fell screaming to his knees.
We had attracted the attention of the entire bar and two other bouncers. Aaron and Trevor rushed to my side, warding off anyone who tried to get in on our little incident, pushing back the crowd that started to circle.
“I said hands off. You should’ve listened.” I laid one more cheap shot to his side, hitting him right in the kidney. He doubled over with a grunt and I stood up straight, releasing his arm. I found Evie, who was wide eyed, and then Kate, who had wrapped her arms protectively around herself. She met my gaze.
Trevor hauled the man off the ground and led him outside to a waiting cab. “Come on buddy, it’s time to go home.”
I needed to wash up but walked to the girls instead. “You okay, Kate? You didn’t get hurt when I pulled you out of the way?” I had been so focused on hurting the motherfucker I didn’t stop to consider the danger I put her in. She gulped, a look of fear in her eyes.
“No, you didn’t hurt me. Thank you, Jon.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sc
are you.” I met her gaze, which softened at my words. She leaned closer before answering me.
“You didn’t scare me. I was just worried he would hurt you. I can’t believe you took him down like that. You’re really impressive, Army.”
And she was back. I laughed. “Yeah, I know how to take care of myself. You don’t ever have to worry about me, Kate. Okay, you two trouble makers, let’s get you safely home and then I need to make sure I didn’t just get fired.”
Kate blanched. “Oh my god! No, I don’t want you to get fired! Let us talk to your boss. We’ll straighten this whole thing out.”
“I’ve got it Kate. Don’t worry. Believe me, I’ll feel much better knowing you two are safe at home in your beds. Come on.” I led them outside to a waiting cab, glad to see they had planned ahead and cabbed it to the bar. Even if they hadn’t gotten drunk, I wasn’t comfortable with them driving home after what had happened.
I watched the car drive away and went back inside to clean up. The bar manager for the night, Petra, met me in the employee break room.
“You okay, Jon?”
I nodded, “I’m fine. It’s not my blood.”
She searched my face and must have agreed with what she found. “You need to leave early, or you still good to finish your shift?”
“I can finish my shift.” I peeled my bloodied shirt off and reached for a clean one inside my locker.
“Okay, thanks. We’re slammed tonight so I need your help out there. As long as you’re good? I’ll talk with Matt tomorrow about what happened. Just as a heads up, he’ll probably want to talk to you as well, especially if that guy decides to complain.”
“He had it coming.”
She nodded. “Yeah, I’m sure he did. But it’s bad for business. You know that. I want you working door the rest of the night, okay?”
