Zenith Rising (Zenith Trilogy, #2)

by Leanne Davis

  “Okay. Then what has you so upset?”

  “I’ve had a really lousy week. The worst. Lost a patient… Anyway, I wondered if you might know where Spencer would go if he got really pissed off, or upset.”

  Joelle’s eyebrows rose even higher at hearing Erica’s inquiry.

  “What is going on with you? I’ve never seen you like this.”

  “It’s not like me, I know. I feel pissed off. And I don’t feel like hiding it right now.”

  “I see. And would some of that anger be directed at Spencer?”

  “All of it is directed at Spencer.”

  Joelle waited, but Erica said nothing. Finally, she nodded and answered her question. “I see. He and Rob used to go to a local tavern when they just wanted to kick back and be. You know, without partying or really drinking, just being.”

  “Where is it?”

  Joelle looked at Erica strangely. “Are you planning to go there?”

  “Yes. Yes, I am. Where is it?”

  Joelle quickly told her, and Erica immediately turned and started to leave. “Hey Erica!”

  “What?”

  “Is there anything you’d like to talk about with me? Are you okay?”

  “Actually, Joelle, I’m fine. Really fine. I’m just sick and tired of accepting my life lying down. And being bored. And jerked around. And always being the smart one that everyone counts on. Or, in Spencer’s case, being considered an abnormal woman. I’m really getting disgusted over being treated like I’m not normal.”

  Joelle smiled. “Good luck with whatever got you so pissed.”

  “Thanks, Joelle. Have I ever told you you’re the only real best friend I have?”

  “You know I feel the same way.”

  Erica smiled as she nodded. “Good. See? Not every part of me is predictable or boring. Otherwise, I couldn’t have you for my best friend now, could I?”

  “No, and, Erica? You look pretty good for whatever you plan to do. But please make sure you don’t do anything that might actually hurt Spencer.”

  ****

  Erica entered the Red Hook Tavern, which was located several miles from Spencer’s house. It was small and dark with the windows illuminated by various neon beer signs. Rows of motorcycles stood in front of it. Leather-clad men and a scattering of women stood around talking, laughing, and smoking on the little patio that completed the tavern. Erica had never been to any place like it. She shut the door on her car, pressing down the locks, which made the alarm chirp to “on.” But she barely noticed. She was studying the front of the blue building, strangely feeling unafraid, or even out of place. After the previous night, encountering a few bikers seemed like nothing, even if they were openly staring at her.

  When she entered the establishment, she found herself instantly covered in a film of smoke. The hazy interior blotted out any traces of light from the outside. It could be night or day, rain or shine, but once inside the Red Hook, there was no way of knowing. Erica stood off to the side, trying to be inconspicuous as she began observing the bar, which was a perfect square, smack dab in the middle of the room. Her gaze ran over the few patrons she saw seated there, as well as the good-looking bartender who wiped down the countertop. Her gaze roamed around the bar, checking out various patrons at the tables, then the pool table, and further back, until she finally spotted him.

  Spencer was with Rob, shooting darts. Lifting his long arm, he took a shot before walking forward, tugging the darts out, and handing them to Rob. He turned to sit on the edge of the table with a beer in one hand, and seemed totally oblivious to her entrance.

  Erica was about to approach him, but stopped a few steps back when she noticed they weren’t alone. The table also had two women seated at it. One wore leather, and the other had on jeans and a t-shirt. Both females had teased hair and far too much makeup. They were drinking beers also, and shrilly giggling between themselves. They had to be young. Ridiculously young. They couldn’t be a day over twenty-one. Erica mentally scolded herself that she really was becoming sensitive suddenly about her age. Thirty-two. It appeared her competition lately was at least a decade younger than she. For even the girl Roy did in the coat room was only twenty-three.

  Erica approached the table with Spencer’s back to her. He was talking with the two young women, intermittently looking around, while casually interjecting a comment or two.

  Then Rob finished his turn. Gathering all the darts from the dartboard, Rob looked over at Spencer and stopped in his tracks. Spotting Erica, he suddenly grinned, and Erica blinked. She fully expected Rob to scowl at her, but instead, he was grinning and appeared almost happy to see her. She anticipated that Rob might have gotten really pissed off to see her there.

  “Hey there, Doc,” Rob said in a lazy tone.

  “Hi, Rob.”

  Spencer instantly straightened up as if someone just stuck a syringe in his ass. He nearly jumped off the table, standing to his full height. When he turned, his eyes were riveted on her.

  Rob stepped around Spencer, and casually picked up a glass with what looked like sparkling water in it. Apparently, Rob really did stay dry and was a true, recovering alcoholic. Who would’ve guessed she’d be so glad to see Rob Williams? He smiled at her again.

  “You looking for a drink, Doc?”

  “You know what, Rob? I am. Had a tough week.”

  “A beer?”

  “No. Something stronger. Really tough week.” She stared hard at Spencer, but he looked away. He obviously didn’t know what to do after seeing her there.

  “Coming right up. Have a seat, join us.”

  “Sure you don’t mind?”

  “Mind? Hell, no! You class up the joint.”

  “Thanks, I will,” she said, smiling sweetly at Rob. She found herself a chair, and pulled it next to the dark-headed girl before sitting down.

  Spencer leaned forward, resting his hands on the table. “Aren’t you going to ask if I mind?”

  She met his brown eyes, simmering hot with anger. “No. I wasn’t. Since you always mind, there’s no point in asking.”

  “What are you doing here?”

  She shrugged and smiled smugly. “Having a drink.”

  “A drink? Here? That’s a joke, isn’t it? How the hell did you find this place?”

  “Joelle told me about it.”

  “Ah, sure. Joelle. So what are you doing here?”

  Rob came back and set the drink before her. “Thank you,” Erica said.

  “No problem,” he replied as he slid into the chair next to her. Spencer was left across the table, beside the blond girl. Both women were silent and seemed intrigued by the latent profundity they sensed from the conversation between Erica and Spencer.

  Erica glanced at the girls and Rob, while ignoring Spencer. “So, you all on a date?”

  “Nah. Just hanging around. Killing time, you know?” Rob answered.

  She shook her head. “No, I don’t know. I don’t do that very often. Kill time. Have fun.”

  Rob smiled. “Looking for some help with that?”

  She smiled back at him. “Yes. Actually, I am.”

  “I hope you’re not setting your sights on Spencer for it. He’s not particularly known for providing a real good time. Too dark, and way too intense. Right, girls?”

  The girls stopped giggling after Rob addressed them and nodded their heads, while looking anxiously at Rob, Spencer and her. Rob continued to chat with Erica. “And as for me? I know how to have a good time.”

  Erica laughed. “Aren’t you drinking soda water right now?”

  “Yeah, yeah. But I can still have a good time on nothing but water. Can’t I, girls?”

  “Shut up, Rob,” Spencer finally said through clenched teeth.

  “Ignore him,” Rob said, smiling even wider, “he’s been in a bad mood all day.”

  “Isn’t he usually in some kind of mood?” asked Erica.

  “Well, now that you mention it, yes, he is. But he’s extra pissy today. And somehow,
I think it might have to do with you.”

  “He’s in a pissy mood because I asked him to call me by my name.”

  “Your name? Erica? Why not? It’s a nice name. A beautiful name, in fact. Erica. Just as beautiful as you are.”

  Erica smiled, sensing that Rob was goading Spencer. Why? She wasn’t sure. But she felt glad for his teasing tone. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome, Erica,” he said, raising his glass in a mock toast. “Come on, girls! Let’s all go out and dance.”

  Unbelievably to Erica, both girls followed Rob without a word of protest or a complaint, or even a Hey, we’re not your accessories! Erica’s eyebrows shot up, and she laughed while shaking her head. Rob was funny and charming. Seeing him sober was nothing like the mean, lazy drunk that Joelle was unhappily married to.

  “What do you want?”

  Erica’s eyes swung back to Spencer.

  “What do I want? Obviously, I would like to finish our previous conversation. I’d like to do it now that I’m not likely to pass out from sheer exhaustion. I am thinking much more clearly now.”

  “That conversation is already finished. Just like us.”

  “Us? God, Spencer, there was never any ‘us.’ It was just me trying to find out if you thought anything at all about me. I always assumed you hated me. Do you understand that? I thought you resented who I was. Who I am. And that I was your boss. I had no idea you could even see me as a warm-blooded, healthy woman. Let alone, that you’d want to…”

  “Fuck? Yeah, I’m not all that picky.”

  Erica blew her cheeks out and counted to ten before inhaling and letting the air out slowly. “You’re trying extra hard to be a royal son of a bitch today, aren’t you?”

  “No. But that’s exactly what I am.”

  She finished the drink, and set it down before tapping her fingers on the table impatiently. He wouldn’t budge, not even an inch. He kept scowling, and being rude, while giving her mean looks. She was fed up with his antics.

  “All right, I don’t need to listen to this.”

  “Didn’t ask you to. I didn’t ask anything of you, did I?”

  “No, that would require some actual effort on your part. Why? Can you tell me that? Why did you sleep with me if you don’t even want to look at me anymore?”

  His smile was pure evil. “I thought you were crying over Roy, Doc. I thought your little heart was broken over the big, bad prick. I just thought, hell, a good fuck could mend it for you. And it did! Now don’t make anymore of it than it really was.”

  Grow up, Erica, she told herself as she listened to his quiet, low tone. His eyes were fastened on her, and holding her gaze. He didn’t try in any way to soften the blow. He almost seemed to be like making her as uncomfortable as he possibly could. He wanted her to know that he meant it.

  She let out a deep breath and squeezed her fists in her lap. There really were men out there like that. Like him. Men who were mean and cold towards all women. Hadn’t she seen it often enough? Usually, however, they didn’t have anything whatsoever to do with her. But this one did.

  She refused to let him know how he hurt her or made her feel stupid and used. He was watching her as closely as a hawk might a mouse. Was he enjoying this? Was he waiting for her to flee? To cry? To throw a drink in his face? Somehow, she knew what he wanted: to shock her, and thereby force her to leave him alone.

  Except, Spencer waited overnight for her. Just to drive her home and ensure her safety. He wanted to see that she was okay. She knew that in her heart and had to hold onto it. There was much more to him than what he allowed anyone, especially her, to know or see.

  Although he wasn’t ready to reveal the real Spencer yet, Erica realized he might never be ready. But knowing that now, for some reason, made it easier for her to accept it.

  She stood up and with quiet dignity, said softly, “I don’t cry over men. If you knew me at all, you’d have known that.” Turning away, she headed towards the bar and sat there alone. This time, she desperately wanted a drink. A much stiffer drink. The handsome bartender came over and she ordered a shot of tequila. It burned going down, but felt good once it hit her belly, and warmed her blood, terminating with her veins. It really was one hell of a week.

  “Excuse me. This seat taken?” Erica looked up. The man standing beside her was in his thirties, sporting a beard and brown hair. His hair was trimmed and neat, and he was wearing what looked like construction attire. He smelled fine to Erica who found him rather appealing in a plain sort of way.

  “No. Please.” Erica waved at the bar stool next to her before returning to her refill of tequila.

  “Bad night? Boyfriend dump you?”

  Erica smiled, staring at her drink. Why did men always assume if a woman looked low, it must be because of a man?

  “No, had to deliver a baby from a comatose mother who died three hours later.”

  “Oh. Well. Shit,” the poor man said, looking flustered. He seemed stricken as he started to get up.

  Erica shook her head, and touched his arm. “Wait. I’m sorry. That was a lousy thing to say. I’m a doctor, and I lost a patient today. It put me in a really shitty mood,” she explained. Then, taking a deep breath, she conjured up a smile, and said, “My name is Erica.”

  He smiled back and slowly sat down again. “Hi Erica. I’m Ronny. I run a construction crew downtown.” He was looking at her profile, and his gaze landed on her hair. “Don’t get many female doctors in here.”

  Erica turned to him fully. “Does it matter if I’m a doctor or not? I assume you came over to hit on me. Does my being a doctor prevent you from doing that?”

  Taken aback, poor Ronny looked at her. “No. No, of course not. I would like to. That is, if you want me to.”

  “I told you to sit down, didn’t I?”

  “A woman who knows what she wants. I like that.”

  Erica finally smiled and relaxed her shoulders. “Yes, I am. And it’s about time someone noticed that I am most definitely a woman who knows exactly what she wants.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  “I don’t know, man. She’s pretty pissed off. She might just go home with him.”

  Spencer didn’t answer Rob’s statement. They were still playing darts. All the while, Spencer tried to ignore Erica, still sitting at the bar. Why was she still fucking here? Why didn’t she slap his face and stomp out of the bar to go home? No. Instead, she remained at the bar, and was chatting it up with some poor slob for over half an hour now. All the while, she pretended to ignore him and not once cast her eyes in his direction to see if he was watching her. Or if her little stunt was bothering him. Wasn’t that what she was doing? Trying to get his attention? Trying to piss him off?

  Well, it was working. In fact, it was seriously starting to work. At first, he ignored it. But how long could she keep this up? She appeared to be a little more comfortable in the bar than he might have pictured. And a little more at ease over being picked up for a one-night-stand than he would have guessed. What the hell was she doing now?

  Standing up, she slid her purse off the bar. The man, a bearded, hairy, white guy, stood up too and put his hand on the small of Erica’s back. Shit. They were walking towards the door.

  Rob stopped, mid-aim, and lowered his arm. He was looking in Erica’s direction too. “Shit, Spence. Quit being such a dick. She came here looking for you. Are you really going to let her leave with someone else? Or are you going to man up, for once, and go after something, or someone, you really want?”

  Spencer glared at Rob, but got up without a word. He followed Erica and the hairy mountain man out of the bar. Erica looked so good tonight. She was wearing a pair of blue jeans, with a white tank top under a sheer, red blouse. He’d never seen her wearing jeans before. They shaped her butt just right, and hugged her thighs. Her long legs were being showcased, for this plaid flannel-wearing dick to ogle over. She was, hands down, the classiest woman in the bar and drew looks from every male patron in every directio
n. It was her white-blond hair, the color so natural, but different, and luxurious that made her the most noticed woman no matter where she went. Still, only a man with real balls dared to approach her. It was crystal clear she wasn’t any barfly. She was pure class and style in a beautiful package. Most men wouldn’t approach her because they knew she was way out of their league.

  Except for this bearded asshole. Sucker must think he was something pretty special to dare believe he could go after her.

  Once outside, they were headed towards her car. She didn’t send her mountain man off packing. She didn’t even look behind to see if he was following her. Was she drunk? She had to be, considering she was with this asshole and complete stranger.

  Spencer grabbed her wrist just as she reached for the car door handle. She gasped and tried to jerk her arm away from his tight grasp.

  “Let go of me!”

  “Did you really think I would let you leave here? With him?”

  “I wasn’t aware that I asked you.”

  “Erica is there a problem?” The bearded man came around the hood of her car, looking concerned at Spencer, then at Erica. He ventured no further as soon as he saw that Spencer was at least a good five inches taller than he.

  “No, there’s no problem. This here is just my handyman,” Erica said, smiling at Spencer along with her pick-up date.

  “You’ve made your point,” Spencer said through gritted teeth. “You’re not leaving here with him.”

  “Yes, actually, I am. See? I think you were right, and a good lay would really help right now. Especially if it helps me forget my stupid tryst with you.”

  “You’re not seriously doing this.”

  “What’s the matter, Spencer? Do you care? Wait. No. You don’t. Now let go of my wrist.” She paused, and stared up into Spencer’s eyes. Then she laughed. “Oh, now I get it! You think I’ve never done this before, huh? Picked up a guy for a one-night-stand? Oh, Spencer, this isn’t my first rodeo. I’ve been on the singles scene for a long time, six years longer than you. And I could probably teach you a trick or two. I’ve had plenty of casual sex. Adding this one might be a lot for one week, but hell, that’s just how it is, isn’t it? At least, this guy can call me by my name.”