Playing with Fire

by Amy O'Neill

  Trent took another swig of beer and shrugged as he spotted a tall brunette across the yard. He winked at her and she blushed. “Who says they don’t work, my friend?”

  He tipped his bottle toward the happy couple in a salute and headed over to investigate his latest challenge.

  A few hours later, when the last of the party guests were leaving, Trent found himself with a trash bag in hand, helping clean up the remains of a good meal.

  “Wow, Torres, what the hell happened to you?”

  He looked up and gave his friend Mitch the one finger salutation.

  Mitch Smithson chuckled and dropped a handful of paper plates and napkins into the bag. “I don’t remember the last time I saw you go home alone. Especially after a wedding! You really must be losing your touch, dude.”

  Trent gave his friend a dirty look. “I haven’t lost anything dude. I just didn’t feel like dealing with kicking someone out at 5 a.m. when I have to head to work.”

  Damien snorted as he approached. “Oh, whatever. Having to work early or slipping out never bothered you before. Admit it Torres, chasing skirts is finally getting old.”

  Trent wasn’t about to admit that to these two morons. He’d always been the ladies’ man of their group. They didn’t call him the Latin Lothario for nothing!

  But truth be told, since Damien met Avery a few months ago, had a whirlwind courtship and now marriage, Trent was beginning to be jealous of how the other half lived.

  He knew the day to settle down would come, but he wasn’t ready to admit that it was now, especially when there were no prospects to fill that place.

  “Why are you busting my chops?” Trent countered. “Shouldn’t you be with your wife, enjoying your wedding night?”

  Damien’s grin widened even more and that emptiness Trent was just recognizing in himself seemed to grow. “With a house full of out of town guests, it’s kind of hard to do the wedding night justice, but once we take off tomorrow for the honeymoon I’m sure we’ll remedy that.”

  Just then, Avery walked up behind Damien and wrapped her arms around his waist. Her voice was nearly a purr, “Oh I’m sure we will.”

  Mitch and Trent exchanged a look and then proceeded to make gagging noises, just like they would have in high school. “Ok, seriously - you two need to get a room.”

  Mitch nodded in agreement. “You kids go have fun, me and the heartthrob here have the cleanup under control.”

  Trent laughed as big, burly, bald Mitch blushed when Avery stood on tiptoes and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

  “You are so sweet.” She winked at Trent, “and so are you too, even if your player skills are lacking tonight.”

  Trent threw his hands in the air and jokingly let out a curse. “Great, another ballbuster in the group. If you weren’t so damn cute I might take offense.”

  She batted her eyes and Trent knew why Damien had fallen for her so hard and so fast. He hoped one day there would be a woman for him like Avery – funny, feisty, and with enough sass to keep him on his toes.

  Avery patted his back reassuringly. “Trent, all the harassment comes from a good place.”

  He gave her a hug. “Thanks. But why don’t you guys get on Mitch about him getting a woman?”

  Avery got a mischievous look in her eyes. “All in good time.”

  Mitch rolled his eyes. “Oh no! No matchmaking for me. I’m content with just me and Heathcliff.”

  Trent laughed. “Oh yeah, because a big slobbery dog is such a good replacement for a woman.”

  Mitch punched him in the arm. “Dude, don’t talk about my dog that way!”

  Trent stepped right in front of him and his voice took on his “officer of the law” tone. “Dude, I can arrest you for that. Attacking an cop, so not cool.”

  Mitch gave him the finger. “Yeah and then I’ll use that law degree that hangs in my office to prove to a judge what a moron you are.”

  Avery tried to stop herself from laughing, but failed. She stepped in between them and held out her hands to keep them separated, as if her little arms could have really held them apart.

  “All right boys, simmer down and play nice,” she said. “Mitch, Trent does have a point about the dog.”

  Trent folded his arms across his chest and rocked forward a little. “Ha!”

  Avery gave him a chastising look. “But, as much as that has to be addressed, I think the bigger matter at hand is your lack of tact with women.”

  Trent laughed. “I do just fine.”

  Avery put her hands on her hips. “You do just fine finding a bed-warmer, but finding a quality woman is another story.”

  Trent motioned to Damien. “Will you please take her away and make her happy so she leaves me alone?”

  One glance from Avery and Damien held up his hands in surrender. “I’ve been married for five hours and I’d like to stay married to her forever, so you’re alone in this one Torres.”

  Trent nodded, knowing this was a losing battle for him as well. “Will you be nice to me if I promise to be more selective?”

  Avery laughed. “Trent, you aren’t selective at all! Do you realize not only did you hit on my pregnant sister, but my sixty year old aunt, too?”

  Trent held up a hand. “In my defense, I was looking at your sister from behind, and your aunt looks amazing for her age.”

  He gave Avery his most charming smile and the twitch at the corner of her mouth let him know she was softening.

  “How about I promise to stop pursuing any woman, and only go after those that are interested in me?”

  Avery patted his cheek. “Maybe if you were led by something above the belt you might get farther.”

  Mitch chuckled, but was standing too close, because Trent easily flung his left arm back and punched him in the gut. The chuckle turned into a cough and sputter.

  He gave Damien a look and shook his head. “You are either the luckiest man in the world to have a woman like this or you’re a total glutton for punishment.”

  Damien winked and pulled Avery to his side. “I’ll gladly take whatever she dishes out. Now if you will excuse us, I think I’m going to try to talk this beautiful woman out of that dress.”

  Avery blushed and gave Damien a steamy kiss. “No talking needed.”

  With that, Damien scooped up his bride and carried her into the house and thankfully out of earshot of Trent and Mitch.

  “Lucky bastard.”

  Trent looked over his shoulder at Mitch and could see that same want in his eyes. Seemed he wasn’t the only one ready to settle down after all. But even if that was the case, he still wasn’t going to say it out loud.

  “Come on, let’s get this cleaned up and then I’ll buy you a beer down at The Spot.”

  “Deal, just don’t talk about my dog again.”

  Trent slapped Mitch on the back and laughed. “For such a big bad ass looking guy, you really are a sissy.”

  “I prefer softy,” Mitch said in his best “softy” voice. “Now don’t make me kick your ass.”

  Trent held up his hands in surrender and they finished taking care of the trash.

  An hour later, Trent climbed into bed. Alone. It was the first Saturday night that he could remember that there wasn’t someone lying next to him.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Noelle drove around for over an hour looking for a hotel that had decent weekly rates. She realized very quickly how much more expensive everything was here compared to home. That word – home - sounded sour to her and she reminded herself this was her new home.

  Finally throwing in the towel, she drove back toward the beach and stopped at a small motel. It didn’t look like it was in the best shape, but she didn’t see any shady people hanging around and figured it was safe enough.

  She rang the bell on the counter and a busty bleach-blonde stepped out of the office. Her bra strap hung off her shoulder and the woman had major bedhead, but she didn’t seem to care. “How can I help you?”

  “Hi. I was wonder
ing if ya’ll have a room available and if I can rent it for the whole week?”

  The woman lit a cigarette and eyed her. “You’re not a hooker are you? Because I don’t want any of that shit here.”

  Noelle was taken back and shook her head. “No Ma’am. I just arrived in town. I just need a bed until I can find work and get my own place. I mean no trouble.”

  The woman did another once over. “My name’s Delphine. This is my place. If you are looking for work I could use a housekeeper. My daughter took off last week with some trucker and left me short-handed.”

  “I’ll take it!”

  Delphine laughed. “Don’t you want to know what the pay is?”

  Noelle felt herself blush with embarrassment. “Sorry. I just really need to work, and as long as it’s minimum wage I don’t care.”

  Delphine took a puff from her cigarette and squinted through the smoke. “You really need to work on negotiating, you know that? You won’t last a week here otherwise.”

  That wasn’t an option for Noelle. She stood a little taller and squared her shoulders. “I’m sorry. Can we negotiate a room and wages in exchange for work?”

  Delphine nodded. “I suppose so. Just stop saying you‘re sorry. There’s nothing to be sorry for. Give me a minute to get the paperwork and a master room key.”

  Noelle stopped the woman before she had moved two feet. “Do I need to do all that? I mean, can’t we negotiate something under the table?”

  The older woman eyed her again. “I said I didn’t want no trouble. If you are running from the law and think you ‘re gonna hide out under my roof, you’re sadly mistaken.”

  Noelle held up her hands. “No Ma’am, I’m not running from the law. I’m running from my ex-boyfriend. I left Arkansas three days ago. He don’t know where I am or how to find me. That’s why I asked if we can do things under the table, that keeps my trail cold.”

  Delphine snorted. “Oh, an asshole then? That would be my second and third husbands. In that case, yeah, I’ll pay you under the table. But the first sign of trouble and you’re out.”

  Noelle wanted to cry in happiness. “Thank you, Ma’am.”

  Delphine took another drag on her cigarette before stubbing it out in the ashtray on the desk. “You’re welcome, just stop calling me Ma’am.”

  She nodded. “Yes Ma’am …err … I mean Delphine. I’m Noelle.”

  “Is that your real name?”

  Noelle nodded again.

  “Alright. Don’t tell me your last name. That way if anyone shows up asking questions I can play dumb. I’ve been told I do that well.”

  Noelle smiled and decided Delphine wasn’t as gruff as she seemed.

  Delphine turned toward a wooden rack on the wall and pulled out a key from the top cubby, then handed it to Noelle. The tarnished metal was dwarfed by a large green diamond-shaped tag that had the resort name etched in gold.

  “This here will get you into all the rooms. I’m going to put you in room 6. Go up the stairs on the left and it’s the second door.”

  Noelle took the key and put it in her pocket. “Thanks so much.”

  Delphine nodded. “Don’t mention it. Just be down here at eight in the morning. I’ll show you where the supplies are and get you familiar with stuff before people start checking out at eleven.

  “I’ll see you in the morning. Thanks again.”

  Noelle headed outside and pulled the U-Haul around to the end closest to her room. After work tomorrow she would get a storage unit and turn the truck back in, but tonight she wanted a bath and a warm bed.

  She grabbed her duffle bag off the front seat and headed up toward the second floor rooms. She took the stairs to the right and easily found her room. After slipping the key into the wobbly doorknob slot, she walked inside and dropped her bag.

  The room smelled of stale cigarette smoke and bleach. The bed looked neat and though the furniture was dated at least two decades, it was home for now.

  Ten minutes later, Noelle sunk into the bubble bath and let out a loud sigh. The warm water soothed her travel weary muscles. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the cream colored tile. Noelle could hear people walking along the outside corridor on the other side of the wall, but she didn’t care. She had a place to lay her head and stretch out, that was all that mattered at the moment.

  A long while later, shriveled as a prune, she got out of the tub and wrapped herself in the plush white motel robe hanging on the back of the bathroom door. She wiped the mist off the large mirror and studied herself for a moment.

  Her skin held just a hint of yellow where the bruises around her eye were finally disappearing. After tonight she shouldn’t have to wear the ball cap and sunglasses to hide them anymore.

  Noelle walked to the bed and turned down the covers. The clock on the nightstand showed it was just before midnight. No wonder she felt exhausted, she was still not used to the time difference. She let out a yawn and climbed into bed.

  Tonight she fell asleep much easier, feeling far enough away from the life she’d left that she could finally breathe.

  Sometime before dawn, Noelle was awakened by someone yelling. “What the fuck are you doing in my bed?”

  She jumped up to see a balding businessman in a wrinkled suit standing at the foot of the bed. Her instinct was to shrink against the headboard and pull the blanket up to her chin, but she stayed put and stared at him with wide eyes.

  “I said…”

  His words slurred and she let out a shriek. He was obviously drunk. “This is my room. What are you doing here?”

  The man held up his key and waved it at her. The number 9 on it was obvious. “This thingy here let me in because this is my room. Now I’m calling the cops.”

  Noelle scurried over to the nightstand and tried to bat the phone from his hands. “No, please don’t. I thought this was my room, Room 6.”

  The man pointed to the open door and it was only then, in the glow of the outside security light, that she saw where faded paint on the door actually read Room 9. The metal number swung back and forth where the top screw had come off.

  She buried her head in her hands. “Shit.”

  “Shit’s right sweetie. If you stole anything I’ll have your ass.”

  Noelle threw the covers off and grabbed her duffle bag, making a run for the door. The man blocked her path as he spoke into the phone, telling police where to find them.

  She wanted to cry, this wasn’t going to end well, and she already knew it. She pleaded with the man to let her go, but he closed the door and leaned against it.

  “Sit tight because the cops are on their way for you.”

  “Sir, it was an honest mistake, I swear.”

  He scoffed. “That sweet accent may work on other people honey, but I’m a salesman and can smell a bull-shitter from a mile away. We know our own kind.”

  Noelle took a seat at the small dinette table near the window and hung her head in her hands as she waited to see the familiar glow of flashing lights.

  The man coughed and hacked before spitting into the trash bin. He eyed her from his post at the door and scratched himself. His glare gave her the creeps.

  “What the hell are you staring at?”

  He grinned and winked. “You are a pretty little thing aren’t you?”

  She rolled her eyes and turned more toward the window. She watched his reflection approach across the wall and held her breath as he ran a finger just below the sleeve of her t-shirt.

  The fight part of ‘fight or flight’ kicked in and she jerked her arm back in one second and in the next was swinging at him with a right hook.

  She made contact with his left eye and he tumbled back onto the bed. “What the …”

  The door burst open and two officers rushed in with guns drawn. “Freeze lady.”

  Noelle did just that, with her fist still cocked in the air. After a second she raised her hands over her head. “Look officers, this is a huge misunderstanding.”


  The man on the bed held his eye and pointed at her. “She broke into my room and then attacked me. Arrest her!”

  Noelle dropped her hands, “Whatever, you big drunk bastard. I got my room mixed up and then this pervert tried to touch me. I was defending myself.”

  She didn’t expect the police to listen to her, they never had before. The bald officer kept his gun pointed at her, but she could see the safety was still on. If she’d learned anything from Lenny it was guns - or rather, how to make sure they weren’t ready to shoot in case he pulled one on her. It had happened before.

  The other officer lowered his gun and raised his hand toward her. He was Latino and kinda cute, if she were checking him out, which she wasn’t, but her eyes couldn’t miss that he was appealing.

  She was mildly horrified with herself that her brain would go there in the middle of a situation like this, but she did a double take and confirmed he was definitely kinda cute – in a ‘possible arresting officer’ kinda way.

  He gently touched her arm and guided her back to a seat at the table. “Come over and have a seat.”

  His partner scoffed at him. “Torres, what the hell are you doing?”

  The officer, Torres, looked over his shoulder at him. “Put down your gun for a minute there.”

  “She broke into this guy’s room and it’s obvious she got physical with him. I’ll put down the gun once you cuff her.”

  The officer, Torres, let out a sigh and rolled his eyes as he turned toward Noelle. “Sorry Ma’am, I need you to turn around. This is just a safety precaution. You are not under arrest yet.”

  “She better be! That bitch is crazy!” said the businessman.

  Officer Torres looked her up and down and then looked at the other man. “She looks pretty sane to me. You on the other hand look intoxicated and I’m willing to guess that the Cadillac out there that’s double parked with the lights still on is your doing.”

  Noelle had to hide a smirk as the drunken man’s face fell a little. Served him right. The officer turned back to her and asked, “You aren’t crazy, right?”