One Tough Love

by Zanne Sweeney

  Wes had personally walked through the hotel and her suite noting any possible security risks. He had made numerous suggestions to one of Ms. Adair’s aides who had accompanied him, and she had dutifully written notes that she would give to Ms. Adair.

  This job was going to be a tough one. Ginger Lola was one of those movie stars that attracted the crazies. She was a handful herself. She had been arrested a year ago for having drugs on her person, but she was not indicted because one of her friends came forward and claimed that they were hers. More recently she had been in the news for assaulting a photographer. Tabloids loved following her because she was always getting into trouble. She was a partier and loved hanging out until dawn at clubs. Wes hated that his team was going to have to keep her out of harms way in the clubs. He knew it was trouble just waiting to happen. He had explained to Leena that he needed as much advance notice as possible before Ginger went out anywhere, and he hoped that the mischievous diva didn't hit the clubs too often while she was in town.

  After a long day Wes headed his car towards his home. When he turned the radio on, the song that Jo and her sister had been singing on YouTube was playing. A smile settled on Wes’ lips as he remembered how cute the two girls had looked on stage, and how good they had sounded. Wes decided it was an omen telling him to do another little drive by her home; just to check on her. He had not forgotten about the other car that had been furtively hidden on her street, so Wes was alert as he drove down her quiet road.

  Wes slowed his car as he rolled towards her townhouse. He saw that her car was still parked in the same spot that it had been on Friday night. Then he saw the hood of her car. Someone had doused it with what he assumed was white paint. Wes had to struggle to keep his car moving as he passed by. His gut was demanding that he go find her and ask what the hell was happening, but his head prevailed. Wes pulled into the same spot he had been in before. He needed to calm down.

  Taking his phone out he sent a text to his friend in the Summit police department.

  Don anything filed for 106B Rose Ln?

  Wes waited with his phone in hand as he looked up and down the street using his mirrors. Finally his phone pinged.

  Yeah BJ Ross reported paint thrown on her car – we took report – she’s picking it up Tues. for insurance purposes – won’t catch person – you know her?

  Wes typed back:

  Just met her - saw her car

  Wes’ phone pinged again.

  You know who she is right?

  Wes: Yeah

  Don: Not well liked around here

  Wes: Yeah I figured – tks

  Wes knew the girl was having a pretty bad weekend. First her purse was stolen and now her car had been vandalized. He saw her front door open and watched as she slowly walked to her car. She walked around it and stopped at the driver’s side door. He could see her slim shoulders sag as she wrapped her arms across her waist as if she was hugging herself. Just then a Mercedes pulled into the spot next to hers and Wes watched as her neighbor stepped out from the expensive foreign car.

  The man took one look at Jo, quickly walked to her and pulled her into his arms where she visibly melted. Wes could see her shoulders moving up and down as her face stayed buried in the guy’s shirt. Jo was crying and he hated it. The only thing Wes hated more was the fact that a man was comforting her. Part of him, the reasonable part of him, was glad she had someone she could lean on. The unreasonable man in him wanted to rip her from the guy’s arms.

  Wes watched on as she composed herself and thankfully the man took his arms off of her. They spoke for a few more minutes and then they got into his car and took off. Wes followed them. They didn’t go far. A mile down the road they pulled into a pizza place. The man got out of the car leaving Jo inside. He then ran in and came out with a pizza. He got back in his car and Wes followed them back to their townhouses. He couldn't believe he was following her like a creepy stalker. He justified his irrational behavior on the fact that he was concerned for her safety.

  He observed the two neighbors enter the man's home with their pizza. She was smiling now and Wes felt better. Why was he so drawn to her? She was beautiful, but he knew many a beautiful women. She was totally unassuming and he found that refreshing. He loved that she had chased her purse-snatcher, yet he hated that she had put herself in danger. When she had grabbed the frame of the car he had been so surprised. He would never forget how determined she had been to stop him when she thought he was stealing her car. He grinned remembering how she had used his hanky on her little nose and then became embarrassed, offering to wash it. That brought a full smile to Wes’ lips.

  She was intriguing that was for sure. However he was pretty certain that she was in trouble, and his gut told him that she did not even know that she was. The brick, her purse, now her car; someone was sending his little Jo a message and she probably just thought she was the victim of bad luck. Wes knew better.

  He watched as Jo left her neighbors place and entered her own. A calm feeling settled through him and Wes knew it was because she wasn’t spending the night with the guy. He had to figure out a way to meet her again. He wanted to get to know her, but he also wanted to help her. Wes didn’t think her mishaps were simply accidents. He also knew they would not end until whoever was behind them had accomplished what they set out to accomplish.

  Wes hated to think a cop or former cop was behind the vandalism. He knew some of the men on the force in Morgis and Summit. He’d even served with a few. When Wes had to hire additional personnel to handle certain jobs he always let the cops moonlight with his company. He paid well, they were reliable and he trusted them.

  Wes wished he could just walk up to her place and have a little powwow with the pretty woman, but that was out of the question, so he headed home, thinking about the crazy week that he had ahead of him. Ginger was due in on Wednesday and he had to finalize everything and meet with the hand picked team that was going to be her security detail. As he drove home his mind replayed all the different images he had of Jo; young singing Jo, graduating Jo, crazy thief chasing Jo, tipsy Jo, and sad Jo. Yeah, he thought to himself he had to figure out a way to see her again, without her thinking he was a crazy stalker.

  Chapter 7

  Jo

  Jo’s week had gone by ridiculously slow. She had sent out more resumes and made a few networking calls, but no one she talked to knew of anyone hiring. Her insurance company had told her to get three estimates for her car; she was thankfully covered except for the 500 dollars deductible. After driving to three auto body shops, and receiving the estimates, she contacted the auto body shop that gave her the best price. To her surprise she got an appointment for that Friday.

  When Friday finally arrived Jo drove to the auto body shop, left her paint covered car there, and jogged the two miles home. To her surprise Nick came home earlier than usual, and took her food shopping with him. She was elated to knock that off her to-do list. The last dilemma she faced was getting herself to her singing gig that night. She was going to ask Nick, but when they were at the food store he told her that he was going to have to miss their Friday Happy Hour because had a date. Jo knew if she asked him that he would still take her, but he’d have his date with him, and then she knew that he would feel obligated to stay and support her. She didn’t want to mess his date up, so she remained quiet.

  Jo decided she would simply take a cab. She called a local company and set the pick up time. Pleased that she had dropped her car off, food shopped, and figured out how to get to the sports bar, Jo jumped into the shower. She was starting to get nervous and she really wished her sister was going to be singing with her. She’d never sung alone before. Well in front of an audience anyway.

  At precisely 9:00pm Jo got into the cab with her guitar and gave the driver the address. When she arrived at T.U.F.’s she saw that most of the patron’s were men. They were currently watching the end of the Yankee’s and the Met’s games on the numerous flat screens located around the bar.


  A gorgeous, red haired woman came over to greet her, introducing herself as Jill, the bar's manager. Jill showed Jo where she could set up and then told her to meet her back at the bar when she was finished. Jo placed a bar stool in the corner and then propped her guitar case up against it. She then walked to the bar to meet up with Jill.

  “Wow that was fast.” Jill said looking over at the corner where Jo had set up.

  “I don’t have speakers or microphones, tonight is acoustic only so it’s a simple set up, just me and my guitar.”

  “So you get that it’s for two hours, no breaks and you get 200 dollars plus tips?” Jill said drumming her nails on the wooden bar top.

  “Yup, I got it.”

  “I told my bosses that I had hired you. They aren’t sure this is the place for a singer.”

  “Well maybe I can prove them wrong.” Jo said with a little more confidence than she was actually feeling.

  “That’s the spirit girl!” Jill patted her shoulder happily. ”As soon as these games finish,” Jill said motioning to the televisions, “you’re on!”

  Jo nodded acknowledging her, hoping she looked calm and trying to reign in the herd of butterflies flapping away in her stomach. Jill signaled for the bartender and told him to give Jo whatever she wanted ‘on the house’. Then giving Jo one more reassuring pat on the arm she left her at the bar. Jo ordered a beer and sat down to watch the end of the games with the other patron’s.

  The bartender introduced himself as Ty and Jo could tell he was flirting with her but she was too anxious to pay him anything but cordial attention. The games finished within minutes of each other so Jo chugged down the rest of her beer, thanked Ty, and headed for her corner.

  Jo pulled her strap over her head and plucked a few cords to make sure she was still tuned. Her first song was mellow and no one seemed to even hear her, but by her third song most of the patrons were tapping their feet or clapping along with her.

  Her song selection seemed to be on target. She played some oldies, pop, country and a few ballads. Her confidence grew with every song and Jo found that she was really enjoying herself.

  Chapter 8

  Wes

  Wes had begun to question his sanity as to why he had accepted the job of security detail for Miss Ginger Crazy Bitch Lola. In the three days they had been guarding her she was constantly going off site and his team had been chasing her into stores, bars, and even a strip club. Wes had implored Leena to get a handle on the wild young lady and she had told him that she’d try, but Wes didn’t think she sounded very positive. Tonight he had personally watched the twenty-eight year old movie star drink herself into a stupor before 9:00pm. He had to physically carry her through the hotel's main lobby before placing her on the couch in her suite, as her silly girl entourage looked on giggling. He was relieved his shift was finished. He was certain she was out for the night anyway, so he had no qualms as he left the two T.U.F. employee’s, that were next up in the rotation, to watch over their wild client.

  Wes was tired, but so wound up that he didn’t want to go home yet. He had been so busy he had not driven past Jo’s house anymore. He had wanted too but he knew it was too stalkerish. He needed to focus on his job. He was saddened thinking that he’d never get to meet the pretty young woman, who kept appearing in his dreams.

  T.U.F.’s, their bar, was on his way home, so he decided to stop in for a couple beers, just to unwind. He parked in the back and entered through the employee door. The first thing he heard was clapping and then a sweet voice saying thank you. Wes remembered Jill had hired a singer for the night, and the fact that he heard clapping, he figured was a good sign.

  The singer had launched into another song and even Wes had to admit the woman had a great voice. He walked to his usual table noting that the crowd, which usually thinned after the games ended, was still hanging around. Wes looked towards the corner where everyone else’s attention was directed and came to an abrupt stop.

  There in the corner of his freakin' bar stood Jo, belting out a popular country song. Wes quickly sat down and watched the little beauty enamor all the men and even the few women with her sultry voice. Jill plopped down next to him and smiled up at him.

  “She’s good right?” She said beaming.

  “Yes, she is. Where did you find her?” Wes watched her tiny hands masterfully strum the guitar. He remembered how her finger had grasped her car’s doorframe. He almost chuckled out loud thinking about that, but he would then have to explain himself to Jill, and there was no way he was telling Jill about meeting Jo.

  “She answered an ad. I didn’t have time to hear her so she sent me some of her songs on Garage Band. I liked them so I hired her.”

  Wes continued to stare at Jo and Jill noticed how he couldn’t take his eyes off her new hire.

  “She’s pretty too.” Jill said caressing Wes’ arm, trying to draw his eyes from the pretty singer and on to herself.

  “Yes, she is.” Wes replied completely unaware that Jill had her hand on his arm.

  “What are you drinking Wes?” Jill asked sharply.

  Wes turned towards Jill noting her snarkiness and then her hand.

  “Ask Ty to send me a beer please.” He said peeling her hand off his arm gently.

  “Sure.” Jill said moodily. Wes had already gone back to watching Jo.

  Wes couldn’t believe Jo was playing at his bar. What the hell were the chances of that happening? The opportunity to re-introduce himself and maybe even see if she would have dinner with him had fallen right in his lap.

  Ty placed a beer in front of Wes and noticed how he was staring at the new singer.

  “She’s good.” Ty said looking from Jo and back to Wes.

  “Yes she is.”

  “Pretty too.”

  Wes turned towards Ty, “I see that too.” His gaze narrowed.

  “I talked to her.” Ty boasted.

  “Oh yeah?” Wes was trying to remain impassive.

  “Yeah, nice girl. I hope she comes back. We haven’t stayed busy after eleven in ages.”

  Wes relaxed when he realized Ty was just talking about the positive aspects she was bringing to the bar.

  “Yeah, she seems to have persuaded our customers to stay a little longer than normal.” Wes replied as he glanced around the room. The songs she sang were not so loud that persons could not hold a conversation. There were even a few customers enjoying their drinks and relaxing; content to simply listen to her. Wes felt the happy vibe in the bar and knew it was all due to Jo and her melodious voice.

  Ty went back to tending bar and Wes continued to nurse his beer as he watched the vibrant woman performing in the corner.

  “Hey! Earth to Wes.” Jace’s voice permeated Wes’ thoughts; all involving a pretty little singer. Jace and Andy had drinks in their hands and were sitting down at the table. Wes had been so lost in thought that he hadn’t even heard them, for an ex-military, security specialist that was not good. Wes shook his head as if to clear it.

  “Man, what were you thinking about?” Andy asked with a deep laugh. Wes looked to Jace who instead of laughing was staring at Jo. Andy looked from Wes to Jace and then saw what had distracted both of them.

  “My, my what do we have here?” Andy said dryly.

  “She’s the entertainment I told you guys about.” Jill said coming up to the table.

  “Oh. Yeah.” Jace murmured. He still hadn’t taken his eyes off Jo and Wes fidgeted uncomfortably.

  “She’s kept the crowd here longer than normal.” Jill said observing the three men.

  “I can see why.” Jace whispered.

  “She’s got a beautiful voice.” Andy said thoughtfully. His eyes now firmly fixed on Jill.

  “Yeah, I think I’m going to see if she’s available for another date. Is that okay with you guys?”

  Jace still had not taken his eyes off of Jo and Wes was beginning to feel jealous, and since he had no reason or right too, he felt like an idiot.

  “Ja
ce?” Wes said trying to pull his friends eyes away from the woman that had been dominating his own thoughts.

  “What?” Jace finally said looking at his friends.

  “Want her to perform again?” Wes repeated Jill’s question. He had to work to keep his frustration out of his voice.

  “Oh, yeah, absolutely.” Then Jace smiled and Wes knew he needed to stake his claim or he was in deep shit. Jace was a true romantic when it came to women. He could literally woo the pants off them. Women loved him. He treated them with respect and he never seemed to have a bad break up. He had a ton of friends with benefits.

  Jill broke the silence. “Well I guess I’ll ask her back then.” She said quietly looking from Wes to Jace and then finally to Andy who gave her a smile that she did not return, before she turned on her heels and left.

  “Crap.” Andy said to no one in particular. “I can’t even get her to smile at me.” He said glumly.

  Both Jace and Wes turned towards their friend. “You need to forget her man.” Jace said.

  Andy shrugged his huge shoulders. “Easier said then done bro.”

  Jace returned to watching Jo and Wes knew he needed to speak up now.

  “Guys, you know who the singer is?”

  Andy shook his head no.

  “No but I sure as hell am going to find.” Jace said.

  Wes sighed heavily. “Guys that’s B.J. Ross.”

  “What!”

  “No fucking way!” Jace tuned back towards Jo then looked back at Wes.

  “Oh crap! That’s Jo? The girl you helped?”

  “Yeah.”

  “F.M.L., she’s gorgeous.”

  “Yeah.” Wes repeated.