Tainted (Oh Captain, My Captain #7)

by Lindsay Paige

  He frowns. “Sorry to disappoint. I’ve never really been that kind of person.”

  No, I’m sure he isn’t like that at all.

  He’s a nice guy.

  I give him a tiny smile. “That’s why you’re a good guy, Valo. You’re going to find a very special girl someday and make her a very happy woman.”

  Chapter Six

  Valo

  We’re standing outside the restaurant, and Jade folds her arms over her chest. She refused to let me pick her up, so I’m thinking she’s going to refuse me again, but I’m going to try to change her mind this time.

  “Can I drive you home, Jade? The best answer would be yes.” I smile, really hoping she’ll just say yes without putting up a fight.

  “No. No way in hell are you taking me home. I’m going to hop on the bus and go into my hood alone.”

  “Or I could take you. It’s not a big deal.” I shrug my shoulders. “Just a ride.”

  “Valo, do you understand that I live in Greenwood? Have you even been on that side of town before? I’m going to answer for you. No, you haven’t because pretty blond Finnish boys like you don’t go into that part of town.” She’s right, but that doesn’t mean I can’t take her home.

  “Isn’t that even more reason for me to drive you? I won’t stay; I only want to drive you and drop you off.” She looks like she may be thinking about it, so I go in for the kill. “I’ll even go by a Burger King and buy you a milkshake.”

  She thinks for a moment, trying to hide a smile as she glances down the street before resting those purple eyes on me. I wonder what color they really are. “Even a large, strawberry milkshake?” she asks.

  “Anything on the menu, it’s yours.”

  She nods. “Here’s the deal: we go to Burger King and then you drop me off two blocks before Greenwood. Someone in my hood will recognize you and rob you in a heartbeat. Normally, I don’t care about people’s well-being, but…” She quickly looks me over. “You’re a nice guy. Do we have a deal?”

  “Only if you text me once you’ve made it home.”

  “Okay. Deal.”

  I hold out my elbow, noticing the corners of her mouth lift even though she rolls her eyes as she loops her arm through it. We walk down to the parking garage in silence. When we reach my truck, I glance at Jade for her reaction. It’s shiny black with tinted windows and large chrome rims to go with the big tires. She climbs inside and I make my way around the front.

  “Were you expecting a sports car or an Escalade?” I ask when she doesn’t really give me a reaction.

  “Actually, kind of. I figured you would have a little roadster. You know, the kind that have the naked bitches on them in the magazines.”

  “Well, I might own one of those.”

  “Hmmmm. Now, about this milkshake you promised…” She winks at me.

  “A large strawberry milkshake, I know. Do you want anything else to go with it?”

  “Nah, I’m actually stuffed with all that yummy food I wolfed down. The milkshake will top off a perfect night. Hell, I can’t even remember the last time I had a milkshake.”

  We’ve pulled up to the speaker in the drive-thru and I order her a milkshake and a chocolate one for me. Once we have our shakes, I park in the lot. I’ve been holding Jade’s milkshake in my hand, mine is in the cup holder for the moment. I glance at her and say, “A perfect night?” I grin. “Does that mean the nice guy gets a second date? Second dates are the fun dates.”

  “Wait a damn second. Are you holding my milkshake hostage for a second date? Wow, Valo, you are really learning the American way.” She folds her arms over her chest, but asks, “What do you have planned for date two?”

  I give her the milkshake, watching her lips close around the straw before speaking. “I wasn’t holding it hostage. I couldn’t do that after I already promised it to you. Date two would be something fun, that’s what I have planned.” I’ll have to think of something first.

  “Well…what if I take you out and show you what a real American date is like?” Jade bites her lower lip, distracting me for a moment.

  “What’s a real American date?”

  She smirks. “How about a surprise? Or is the big Eagles captain scared of little ole’ me?”

  “Okay, you can surprise me. I’m not scared of little ole’ Jade.” That earns me another small smile. “Is your milkshake as good as you imagined it would be?”

  “It’s delicious, Valo. Thanks for tonight. It’s been…memorable, to say the least.”

  “Thanks for coming. I’m counting on your date to be memorable as well. I have high expectations, Jade.” I smile. “And I’m sure you’ll deliver.”

  “Oh, I always do, Valo.” She leans in closely and adds, “Always. Now, when can I plan this date for us?”

  I think about my schedule for a second. “Sunday? I have a game Saturday. You could come, if you want. I can get you a ticket.”

  “Um…Valo…it’s nice that you want me to come see you play, but if someone sees me…I don’t want to get you in trouble. Right now, I don’t look like a stripper, but I am one. That could hurt you in the end.” Her words show me she has a good heart. Underneath the front she puts up most of the time, underneath her job as a stripper, and underneath the crappy hand she’s been dealt, she has a good heart.

  “There will be thousands of people there. No one will care you’re there, if they even recognize you. Don’t overthink it.” We aren’t really celebrities in that aspect. Our private lives remain private if we want it to. She doesn’t need to worry about whether people know she’s a stripper or not. “If you want to come, then come.”

  “You make it seem so easy,” she mumbles, glancing out the window and taking a long sip of her milkshake. I place my empty cup in the cup holder. “Well, I can’t because I don’t own any Eagles outfits…so…” She shrugs. As if it’s mandatory to wear clothes representing the team, as if that gets her out of going. Ha.

  “I can give you a jersey. Problem solved.”

  Jade shakes her head, but it’s more playful than irritated. “Do you have an answer for everything? Fine. Why do I even argue?”

  I smirk. “You don’t have to go…”

  “I’ve never been to a hockey game live before. It might be fun.” She tries to hide her smile by sipping the last of her milkshake, but I see it.

  “It will be. If you’ll meet me earlier that day, I’ll deliver your jersey myself. And it will be my jersey, just so you know. Any objections?”

  She really thinks about it. “Not at the moment, but it is getting late and I have stuff to do. I’m ready to go to my place.”

  “All right, let’s go.”

  As I promised, I drop her off two blocks from Greenwood. I’m uneasy with letting her walk the rest of the way, but I don’t want to push her more than I already have. Jade has her hand on the door handle, ready to leave, and she turns her head to look at me.

  “Thanks again, Valo.”

  I smile. “Don’t forget to text me.”

  She rolls her eyes. “I won’t.” She pulls on the handle, pushing the door open a bit.

  “Hey, Jade?”

  “Yeah?” she asks, pausing and turning back to me.

  I cup her cheeks as I lean over and pull her closer to me. Her brows rise for a moment, but then I kiss her. The moment my lips touch hers, I know her mouth is perfect. My fingers move until I tangle them in her curls, holding her put. Her lips are soft, and when I run my tongue over her lower lip, she parts them and, sweet heaven, for all the harsh and vulgar words that come out of this mouth, it’s impossibly sweet and almost gentle. With a shaking inhale, I pull away, slide my fingers out of her hair, and put some space between us.

  Jade tilts her head, examining me for a brief moment before shaking her head, and getting out of my truck without another word. I stay parked along the curb until she disappears down the sidewalk.

  ~

  I’ve been thinking a lot about Jade today, and it’s probably
because I’ll see her tomorrow. I haven’t talked to her too much since I dropped her off, so I decide to send her a text.

  Me: What color are your eyes? And don’t say purple.

  This has been really bugging me. She’s pretty blunt and upfront about nearly everything, yet she hides her eye color.

  Jade: They’re a shitty blue-green color. I hate that color so I changed it.

  God, I bet those are gorgeous eyes, especially with that black hair.

  Me: What’s wrong with that color?

  Jade: They make me look like my mom and I don’t want that.

  And there it is. The reason she wears contacts. Before I can respond, she fires another text at me.

  Jade: You know most guys want to know the size of my tits. You’re full of surprises, Finny.

  Her nickname for me makes me smile. My thumbs move quickly with my response.

  Me: I think you surprise me more than I surprise you. Besides, I wouldn’t ask a question like that…that’s the kind of thing I’d rather find out first hand.

  That’s a much better way to find out.

  Jade: Valo Manner, are you trying to sext me? Talk about shocking! BTW, here’s a hint about them: they’re real.

  Me: If you have to ask, then no. And it wouldn’t be shocking if I were. BTW, I figured. 80% of the time, you can tell. At least, I think so.

  Jade: I’m shocked because I thought sexting in your country would be yodeling through a voice messenger. And yes, you can tell most of the time. I’m better than most. It’s my hidden talent.

  Me: Yodeling? Seriously? hahahaha. We don’t yodel.

  I’m dying of laughter. Gus gives me a strange look, but I ignore him and head to my truck.

  Jade: I took a shot in the dark on that one. So, where are you right now?

  Me: On my way to get your jersey…want me to sign it too? ;) haha, where are you?

  Jade: Isn’t it worth more if you sign it? Maybe I’ll pawn it afterwards. I’m walking to work right now. I have to waitress again. I hate that!

  Me: No pawning my jersey, Jade. Is waitressing worse?

  My phone vibrates on the center console, but I wait until I’m at a red light to read and respond to her text.

  Jade: eye roll I won’t pawn it, jeesh. I get less in tips. Guy like the naked girls on stage and not the ones serving drinks.

  Me: That sucks…

  I’m not sure what exactly to say, and that was the best I could think of. The light turns green. My phone vibrates twice before I’m about to check it again.

  Jade: Well, at least I don’t have to do that HAHA but I do have to make my rent. So, what’s a girl to do?

  Jade: I’m here now. Talk to you tomorrow.

  I’m not quite sure how to feel about her job. I mean, it’s not a normal job that people are proud to be doing and will freely discuss. How do you tell a stripper/waitress to have a good day and that you hope she gets a lot of good tips?

  ~

  I’m parked along the curb in the same place as when I dropped Jade off after our date. Again, this is the closest she’d allow. I got here a little earlier than she told me, so I keep scanning the sidewalks for her to appear. A few minutes later, those long black curls appear as she comes from around the corner, a large duffle bag hanging off her shoulder. She climbs into my truck with a smile.

  “What’s up, Finny?” She giggles, thinking she’s pretty funny with her Finny comment.

  I smile anyway because I like this side of her. “You’re in a good mood today. I hope it’s because of the game.”

  “Trust me, I’m not giddy about walking six more blocks to the Laundromat. I usually do it in my bathtub because I know that’s clean, but…” she pauses. “Something’s up with the water.” I get the feeling she’s telling me a lie.

  “How are you getting to the game?” She can’t actually think she’s going to walk there. My mind is already thinking of a plan.

  “Walk.” Her tone clearly says it should be obvious. “I walk all over Liberty when I don’t have bus fare. Don’t worry; I won’t be late.”

  She doesn’t have money for the bus? “What else do you have to do today?”

  “Laundry and get ready for the game. Why?” Slightly suspicious eyes narrow at me.

  “You do have a driver’s license, right? What would you say if I let you borrow my truck and my washer and dryer?”

  “Yes, I have my license. And that’s a really nice offer, Valo, but if something happened to this truck, there would be no way in hell I’d be able to afford to get it fixed or replace it. I’ll stick to walking.”

  “I have insurance and money. I don’t think you could be that bad of a driver.” To her, it would be huge if she wrecked my truck. To me, I’d just buy another one and wouldn’t worry about it. “C’mon, Jade. You could borrow it, do your laundry at my place, and hang out with Honeybun, and all without me, if it makes you feel better. I’ll be at the rink soon, so I won’t need to use it either.”

  Jade is quiet for a moment as she mulls it over. “Well, do you mind if I take a shower? I had one last night at the club, but with the water issue, I’ll need to take one before the game.”

  “Sure. Anything in the house you want to take advantage of, go ahead. Just make sure you stay out of Gus’s things and ignore the fact that I’m not the most organized person. I can even give you some cash if you wanted to get some soap and shampoo that doesn’t smell like a man.”

  “Ha, I’m used to smelling like men, Valo. You do remember what I do for a living, right? I always smell like cheap after shave and a generic Polo from Wal-Mart.”

  “Then definitely go buy something that smells girly.” I’m curious to what scents she would pick out for herself. “Are you saying yes to my offer?”

  “Is there a point in arguing with you, Finny? Let’s go to the Mansion of Manner.”

  “As much of a point as there in making you stop calling me Finny.” I grin and it grows when I see her smile. “I’ll drive us to my house first and I’ll ride with Gus to the game. Then, you’re free to do whatever. Your jersey is in the backseat if you want to see it.” She glances back, but doesn’t pick it up. I start driving across town to where Gus and I live in a large condo.

  When we arrive, I hold my elbow out for Jade and take her duffel bag, grabbing the bag with the jersey as well. She rolls her eyes at me, but I think she likes the gentlemanly acts. I think she appreciates them even more than the average woman, and it makes me want to do it for her more.

  I hold my breath as we reach the door and I push it open. Like I said, I’m a messy person.

  “Are you fucking kidding me, Valo? Disorganized, my ass. This place is filthy. Can’t you afford a maid?” She gawks at the mess and I follow her gaze.

  “It is not filthy. It’s organized, clean chaos.” Sure, there are some things that need to be thrown away and there’s stuff everywhere, but it’s not really dirty.

  “Well, I’ve learned one thing today. The word clean doesn’t translate well from Finnish to English. This is not…clean or organized chaos. Hire me as your maid and I’ll show you clean and organized.”

  “Your rates are probably outrageous,” I grin.

  Before she has a chance to respond, Gus walks out of his bedroom, carrying a duffle bag of his own. “Hey, who’s this?”

  “Gus, this is Jade. Jade, this is Gus. She thinks we need a maid.”

  “I don’t think you need a maid. I know you need a maid. I’m on the lookout for mice and cockroaches right now.” She makes a show of looking around the room and floor.

  I shake my head. It’s definitely not that bad. “There’s a difference in messy and nasty.”

  “She’s right; we need a maid,” Gus says. “You’re the most terrible housekeeper I’ve ever met. All this,” he motions around with his arms, “is his, by the way. Not mine.”

  “I actually believe you, Gus.” Jade gives me a stern look. “Now, I’m concerned what the laundry room looks like.”

 
“C’mon, I’ll show you around.” I take her hand and start walking toward the laundry room. Over my shoulder, I call out, “Hey, Gus, don’t leave without me. I’m riding with you to the rink.”

  “You got fifteen minutes, then!” he shouts back.

  We stop in the doorway of the laundry room. “Here it is. Everything you’ll need is in the cabinets above the washer. All you have to do is press start twice on the washer and turn the knob on the dryer.” She nods in understanding, so I lead her to my room and to my bathroom. “You can use my bathroom. Towels are in this closet.” When we turn to walk out, my cat is standing a few feet in front of us. “And this is Honeybun.”

  “You have an orange cat with three legs named Honeybun? And explain to me why you don’t have your own reality show? Oh, that’s right because you’re a slob.”

  “Hey, Honeybun doesn’t mind. Plus, our lives are too boring for reality TV.”

  “If you say so. Go off and play some hockey. I’ll be here.”

  I glance at my watch. She’s right. My fifteen minutes are up. “Text me with which entrance you use, so I can find you afterward. Don’t have too much fun doing laundry,” I tease.

  She smiles. “Hey, Valo.” Jade pulls me close to her and tilts her chin up as she closes the distance between us. Her kiss is soft and slow. “Thank you,” she whispers. “I make no promises about not denting the truck, but thank you.”

  “The offer stands for the future, too. I’ll see you later.” I give her another quick kiss before I leave. I like Jade, and I like helping her. My mind starts turning as I wonder what else I could do for her.

  “Looks like I was wrong,” Gus says as he pulls onto the road.

  “About what?”

  “You actually had a chance with her. She’s the girl you went to talk to at the bar, right?”

  “Yeah, she is.” I never told him much about her, even after our date. The thing is, I’m still not sure how much of a chance I have. Jade’s surprising me at every turn, though. Who knows what’ll happen with us?

  Chapter Seven

  Jade

  You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. Organized chaos? That’s a damn lie if I ever heard one. After the guys leave, I look around the living room and kitchen. Empty pizza boxes, fast food wrappers, beer cans, soda cans, and I don’t even want to know why there’s a bottle of lotion on the end table.