Honestly, I’d make a crappy detective.
“Thank you, Cash. I certainly appreciate you thinking of me.” Miss Elva fluttered her eyelashes at Cash and his smile widened.
“May I say that you are looking smashing this evening?”
“You may, because I know I look fantastic. I saved this one for a special night.” Miss Elva twirled so her caftan whirled out and you could see the sparkling print of a tiger creeping through the jungle embellished on her green caftan. A tiger-striped turban – with sequins of course – covered her head, and she’d completed the look with earrings of green and orange crystals that fell in a waterfall to her shoulders.
“You look like you were meant for island living. I see David can’t keep his eyes off you,” Cash said, rocking back on his heels and taking a long drink from his beer bottle.
“Of course the man can’t keep his eyes off me. Not when I’m looking this good. I’m letting him dangle a little bit longer before I go see if he’ll karaoke with me. It’s a good test of a man’s interest, you know.”
“Karaoke is?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at her.
“Sure it is. See, you go ask a man to sing with you. It’ll show you two things. First, is he willing to go on stage and be seen in public with you – and in a way that might make you look like a couple? Second, is he willing to embarrass himself for you? If so, that’s a good sign. You want someone who can laugh at himself, but also go do fun or silly or weird things with you. Karaoke is a great test.”
“I had no idea there was such life lessons to be found in karaoke.”
“She’s not wrong.” Cash smiled at me.
“You want to do karaoke with me?” I asked, though the last thing in the world I wanted to do was get up on stage and screech into a microphone.
Cash blew out a breath and ran a hand through his hair, adorably mussing it up and making my fingers itch to fix it. Though I liked him a little messy. He was nearly perfect aside from those personality flaws I had earlier identified in our relationship, and it was nice to see him flustered.
“If that’s what you want, Althea, I’d love to do karaoke with you.”
“See? He doesn’t want to, but he wants you. So he’ll get up on stage with you.” Miss Elva beamed at him. “Pick a good song, you two; I’ll put you on the list.”
“Wait!” I called but she’d already disappeared into the crowd, her glittery tiger flowing behind her.
“Well, you’ve gone and done it now,” Cash laughed at me.
“Shit. I hate karaoke.”
“Drink up then, because this is gonna hurt.” Cash laughed once more and we turned as the music died and someone tapped a microphone.
“Y’all, I have to thank you so much for coming to our little shindig this weekend.” Resplendent in a pink linen suitcoat, leaf-green t-shirt, and pink cowboy hat, David addressed the crowd from the small stage. He waited while everyone finished cheering, a pleased smile on his face, and despite myself I found myself cheering too. I hadn’t thought I would like him so much, but it was easy to see the obvious joy he found in entertaining others.
“We’ve got a little treat for you tonight. Not only are we going to have karaoke” – a cheer went up from the crowd – “but we’ve got this awesome back-up band for your vocals.”
“Is that a famous band?” I leaned in to ask Cash.
“I think it’s Ziggy Marley’s band, but I’m not totally sure,” Cash admitted. Judging by the dreadlocks on the bass player, I thought he might be right.
“I officially regret my decision to ask you to karaoke,” I admitted, draining my cup.
“I’ll just go refill that,” Cash chuckled, grabbing my glass before I could say anything and weaving effortlessly through the crowd. I watched in terror as I saw Adam Levine put his name on the list. Followed by Miss Elva. Followed by – shit, was that Cindi Lauper? There was no way I was howling in my screechy voice in front of a crowd of actual famous singers. I mean… I just couldn’t.
Gulping past my suddenly dry throat, I turned to look at the rest of the crowd. My eyes locked on Randall. He stood in the shadows, bending and talking closely with Calvin. They both glanced up at the same time to look at me, and froze when they saw me looking at them. Randall raised a hand in a wave and I nodded in acknowledgement, wondering why I was getting a weird feeling from them.
A part of me felt like Randall didn’t like Miss Elva and wanted her away from his father. Which, in turn, led to his slight disgust with me. I could read it, vibrating lightly under the layer of politeness and charm he’d oozed at me at our dinner and ever since we’d arrived on island. I suppose it made sense – Miss Elva and I were about as far away from his country-club-loving mother as one could get.
“Have you decided on a song?”
“We’re not really going up there, are we?” I looked at Cash in shock, and he laughed down at me, the low timbre of his voice making my insides go warm.
“We may not have a choice. Miss Elva is a force to be reckoned with.”
“Oh goddess,” I whispered and slurped at my rum punch. I would need liquid courage for this night.
“Look, there she goes. And the Flamingo King is joining her. I wonder what they’ll sing?”
“I hope it’s not ‘Baby Got Back,’” I said and was rewarded with Cash choking on his drink. This time, I got to pummel him on the back until he could breathe again. Wiping his eyes, he grinned down at me.
“I so appreciate your sense of humor.”
“Thanks. I think I’m quite funny as well.” I didn’t mention that most other people didn’t. I’m allowed to entertain myself with my own humor, aren’t I?
“I bet it’ll be something schmoopy like ‘I Got You, Babe,’” Cash decided.
The band began jamming, and Cash and I looked at each other.
“That’s the way, uh-huh uh-huh, I like it,” Miss Elva belted into the microphone, blowing the whole crowd back with her surprisingly beautiful alto voice. A cheer went up and instantly the crowd began to shimmy, while Miss Elva gyrated across the stage a whirlwind of tiger and sequins. The Flamingo King threw his head back, crowed his approval, and joined her on the vocals. Let’s just say… the King should stick to flamingos, I thought. Nevertheless, I got caught up in their act and found myself joining the crowd as we all cheered them on. At some point, another drink materialized in my hand. Cash stayed close, dancing next to me as Miss Elva and the Flamingo King brought the house down.
“I like it!” Miss Elva crowed, and for one terrible moment it looked like she was going to launch herself into the crowd to crowd surf. There was a collective inhale of shock from everyone, and it all released in one loud whoosh when she decided against it and instead launched herself into the Flamingo King’s arms. He stumbled back a step, then two, but more power to him – the man held his own. Dipping her low to the floor, he pressed a kiss to her lips while Miss Elva kicked her leg high in the air, showing the entire crowd her satin tiger print thong. As finales went, it was a shocker.
I looked helplessly at Cash and he just shook his head, shrugged, and handed me another drink. There was truly nothing to be said. Luna caught my eye from across the crowd and I didn’t even have to pick the thought from her mind to know we were thinking the exact same thing.
This was why we loved Miss Elva.
“Hello Bahamaaaaaaaas!” A tattooed singer jumped on the stage, grabbing the microphone and playing the crowd. I was sure I should know who he was, but alas, I wasn’t cool enough to put a name to the face. But by the way he swiveled his hips in his leather pants and urged the crowd on, I suspected he’d done this a time or two. Seriously, leather pants in this heat? I hoped he showered before he took a groupie home with him. Ew. The bass player with the dreads kicked off the music for “Play That Funky Music,” and the whole crowd went nuts.
Funnily enough, so did I.
It had been a long time since I just let loose, had fun, and didn’t think about anything else. I wasn’t w
orried about my clients, about my family, about murders or mysteries or anything else. The only thing that mattered was having fun, right in the now. The music poured around us, the bass thumped, and we all were sweating like we’d been jammed into a sauna together. And not a damn person cared. I began to see the appeal to these hidden island venues – nothing mattered but the music.
At one point, Cash put his arms around my waist and I danced into him, enjoying his touch, not caring about our past or our feelings or anything other than having fun. He had a natural way of moving, confidence in his body and his rhythm that made him fun to dance with. And do other things with, if I remembered correctly – but I wasn’t going to be thinking about that, I reminded myself, and finished another drink.
“Althea!” Miss Elva called over the microphone and everyone turned until they looked at me. “It’s your turn.”
“Oh no, it’s fine, let someone else go,” I called and the crowd booed me. Can you believe it? Booed me!
“Nope, your name’s on the list,” Miss Elva insisted and soon the crowd was chanting my name. I took a deep breath, looked up at the thatched roof of the bar, and then back at Cash.
“You’re coming with me.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, darling.” Cash grabbed my hand and dragged me through the crowd until we were at the bottom of the little steps leading to the stage.
“What song are you gonna sing?” Miss Elva crouched down and I whispered in her ear.
“Good choice,” Miss Elva said, and turned to speak with the band. They all nodded and before I knew it, Cash and I were staring out at the sea of faces – famous ones at that, mind you – and I felt my throat go dry again.
“Don’t look at them,” Cash said at my side.
“Some of them do this for a living,” I gasped. “And make, like, millions from it.”
“So what? That’s not your job, they all know that. People just like it when you have confidence and are having fun. Let’s have fun, Althea.”
Spying Rosita hovering over the crowd, I focused on her and her nod of approval. Who knew I’d get a boost of confidence from a ghost madam? Either way, I felt my inhibitions drop and as the music started, Cash shouted his approval. Turning, we looked in each other’s eyes.
“Let’s bring this hut down.”
“I’m all over it.” Shoulder to shoulder, we turned back to the crowd.
“Has anyone heard of a little band called… Queen?”
The crowd went wild.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“I don’t think a single person skipped out on karaoke.” I was still giggling on the ride back to the villa, flying on exhilaration and rum, having let loose for the first time in ages. Calvin drove us, chattering the whole way, and the van was much louder on the way home than it had been on the way to the party. We’d acquired a few more passengers, I noted, with Captain Woodley practically in Beau’s lap, a few other guests still singing cheerfully in the back, and Randall up front smiling back at us. It had come as a surprise to me that Randall had been willing to karaoke, but he’d gotten up and done a sweetly nervous rendition of Johnny Cash’s “I Walk The Line.” Despite my misgivings over him, I’d still found myself clapping and cheering for him.
“Nope, and that’s the way it should be.” Miss Elva adjusted her turban, which at some point in the night had gone askew. “If everyone’s in on the joke, it’s more fun. That’s why I love karaoke. You killed it, by the way.”
“Thank you,” I said, pleased with myself. I smiled shyly at Cash. He’d made his way into our van, saying that he was staying at the villa next to us anyway. I wondered if he was letting me know where he was on purpose, or what his motives were. Too tired to care, I leaned naturally against him, as the van was at capacity and we’d been squinched all the way down on the seat. “I didn’t know about those high notes.”
“I don’t think anyone even heard us.” Cash chuckled and the sound vibrated through him and into my side. “They were all singing just as loudly.”
“It’s a crowd favorite, that’s for sure,” Miss Elva said.
“Where’s David?” I asked, and saw Randall’s shoulders jerk. Yup, I’d read that correctly, I thought, for when everyone had been looking at Miss Elva kissing the Flamingo King, I’d been watching Randall. He’d done a good job of disguising his disgust, but not from me. I could read it all over his energy. Randall definitely had some mommy issues, and as far as he was concerned, Miss Elva wasn’t going to be a stepmom anytime soon.
“He stayed to tip the band and pay up with the bar and all that. I think Calvin’s going back to get him in a bit.” Miss Elva stretched and yawned. “My feet are killing me. I haven’t danced that much in ages. I’m going to sleep like the dead tonight.”
A little shiver went through me at her words, and I hoped it wasn’t a premonition that I should be paying attention to. I needed to talk to Luna when we got back to the villa. It was likely she could do some sort of protective spell around the villa, but I wasn’t sure what that would entail.
“Thank you for riding de Calvin Express dis evening,” Calvin called as he pulled to a stop in the circle drive, which led to the pathway in front of all of the guest villas. “Please get de rest of de way home safely.”
We all clambered from the van, wobbling our way down the path, everyone calling our good nights and goodbyes to each other. I heard one couple whisper about meeting in the pool, and I laughed softly to myself, wondering just how many people would be finding themselves feeling amorous this evening.
“What’s so funny?” Cash asked.
I shook my head, realizing that a part of me really wanted to invite him in. We’d stopped in front of our villa, Luna and the others already disappearing inside. Miss Elva had given me one long look before she’d gone inside, carrying her shoes, and I couldn’t determine if she was telling me to ride the ride or buy a ticket to a different one.
“Nothing, nothing at all. So, tonight was fun. Thank you for singing with me. It was mildly less embarrassing with you next to me,” I said, smiling shyly up at him while all the hormones in my body sat up and paid attention.
“I had fun. Althea… I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to come inside with you,” Cash said, stepping forward and running his hands down my arms. Leaning down, he brushed his lips across mine, before angling his head and deepening his kiss. For a moment, I was lost in his taste, remembering how he’d made me feel, my body responding of its own accord. I had a fierce attraction for this man, and that was a fact.
I made myself break the kiss. Taking one giant step back from him, I looked at his lips, which were still wet from mine.
“I… god, Cash. I’m really confused right now. And I don’t like making choices out of confusion.”
“Trace,” Cash said, shaking his head a little.
“Yes, Trace. Even if we aren’t fully defined, even if we aren’t boyfriend and girlfriend – he’s still my best friend. And he trusts me, and I him. As a friend – I can’t do this to him. I need the water clear, not muddied, do you get what I’m saying?”
“It does help with visibility,” Cash said, and I was reminded that he did dive on occasion.
“Yes, being able to see clearly. It matters.”
“Well, may I just say, I’d like to throw my hat in the ring if you’re still considering. Otherwise, I hope Trace makes and keeps you happy.” Cash bent and kissed my cheek before sauntering away, my hormones screaming in protest as he did.
I swear, at times I hated having a conscience. But I couldn’t quite bring myself to take it a step further. Despite what Miss Elva said about life being my playground, I knew that I would hurt Trace if I did go play with Cash. And, as I’d said to Cash, at the base of it all, Trace was my friend. Friends don’t hurt each other like that.
Resigned to a lonely night curled up with my morals, I quickly got ready for bed, careful to not leave my room and interrupt any of the party Beau was having down by the pool. Instead,
I took a shower to rinse off the sweat and stickiness from dancing all night, pulled on a loose tank and shorts, turned the air conditioning on high, and pulled the cool sheet over my warm body. Despite thinking I’d stay up tossing and turning, the rum did its work and I dropped off like a stone.
I was awakened in the dark by the sound of an airplane directly above our villa.
I sat up in bed and grabbed my phone, checking the time. Three thirty am. What plane was landing at this time of night? Honestly, I hated my curiosity sometimes, but I couldn’t just not go outside and see what was going on. Sliding my feet into my flip flops, I padded silently from my room, noting that the rest of the villa was dark and quiet. Everyone must have taken the party to their rooms or passed out. Padding outside, I noticed that all the outside lights were off. Earlier that night, the path that led to all the villas had been illuminated by little white lights tucked among aloe plants and flowers. Now, the path lay in darkness and I made my way via the wan light of the moon.
I gingerly followed the path, catching my toe a time or two and trying not to swear, before I veered off into the bush. Now, you’d think this would have been a good place for me to stop – if I had any sense of survival skills – but no. I continued on, too curious about the plane and what was going on. Maybe I still had some liquid courage pulsing through my system, because I wasn’t even thinking about the snakes Calvin had warned me about. Instead, I made my way blindly through the low bush, the plants scraping tracks in my legs, until it seemed I was close to the plane.
The engine sounded like it was directly in front of me, when suddenly it cut out. I only heard a few movements, men whispering, and if I strained my eyes I could just make out the outline of a plane about one hundred feet in front of me. It was a small one, a twin prop, and shadows scurried about.
Finally, my good sense kicked in and I realized that perhaps, maybe, I was putting myself in danger. For there was a reason this plane was landing in the middle of the night, in the bush, with no lights and no announcement. And my dumb ass had wandered right out into the middle of it, because I just couldn’t leave well enough alone.
A Sixer of Tequila Page 10
