Jack walked up to me and said, “Newbie?” Considering Earl never checked a list or anything, I wasn’t sure how he confirmed my membership status.
“Uh…yes, sir.” The manners my mother drilled into me came out as I spoke to the older man. “Earl told me to come see you?”
“What’ll it be?” Jack asked without batting an eye, the pink lights casting him in a weird glow.
“Be?”
“To drink?” Like Earl, Jack’s expression said he thought I wasn’t right in the head.
“Sorry,” I rushed. “Um, vodka tonic with a lime twist.”
Nodding, he set a tumbler down in front of me already full of ice, pulled a bottle out from the basin in front of him, and filled my glass half full of the clear liquid without measuring. Then he added the club soda by pressing a button on the hand spritzer, finishing my drink off with a squeeze of lime before he threw the mutilated fruit into my glass as well. “I’m thinking you’re probably having a bad night and could use a stiff one. This one’s on the house.”
“How did you know?”
“If you weren’t, you wouldn’t have set one foot through the front door without being a member.”
My hackles rose and I straightened my spine as I asked, “How do you know I’m not?”
“Because if Earl sent you to me, you’re not a member.”
“Oh.” My ire deflated as quickly as it rose. “Yeah, bad night.”
“I can tell you this. It may seem like it now, but eventually everything will work itself out.” He sounded as if he spoke from experience.
“How do you know?”
He breathed in and released it, chuckling a little, his eyes narrowed on me as his lips pulled up in a sideways smile. “Because I’ve been there. I’ve been at a point in my life where it all seemed to be going to hell in a handbasket and everything was falling apart. But things always change, and eventually you’ll find your footing again.”
I heard from others that some bartenders doled out advice, while others listened to their customers complain, but I hadn’t ever really experienced it until tonight. Even when Buzz sat with me, he just stood there and complained about the “stupid punk ass kids” that had caused a ruckus in his bar. This was both refreshing and a little annoying. “Excuse me if I disagree. My issue won’t be leaving unless my brother wises up and divorces his wife.” Crap. I couldn’t believe I just said that. I had no filter tonight.
“Don’t like your sister-in-law?”
“Not particularly.”
“Why?”
I brought my drink to my lips and found it empty. When I had started drinking it?
“Another?”
Frowning, I nodded. “Yes, please.”
As he poured, he asked, “Why don’t you like her?”
“You wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me.”
I didn’t know why I caved, but I spilled my guts to him. I didn’t care about this person’s judgement. It wasn’t like I knew this person or associated with him in my personal life. I told him everything from the beginning about how my brother and Emma began talking, to their wedding. “She claims she’s disabled and had zero self-esteem, so he thought he would fix her. Somehow finding her a date turned into a marriage proposal.”
“Claimed she was disabled?”
“How many thirty year olds do you know that have to use a cane or walker?” I slammed my palm down on top of the bar. No one noticed and no one paid attention. The loud music drowned out my harsh words and my tantrum.
“Several.”
That stopped me short. “Really? How?”
“I volunteer down at the V.A. I see a lot of soldiers who come back from fighting and they’re injured.”
“That’s different.” I waved my hand in front of his face. I was already feeling the effects of the alcohol I was consuming. Such a lightweight.
Jack chuckled. “How so?”
“Because they got injured serving their country.” I downed the rest of my drink and then slammed my glass down. “Another please.”
“Only if you explain.”
“Their injuries came from something beyond their control. Bryan’s a pilot with the Navy. We all know the dangers he faces every time he goes up in the air.”
“Okay…”
“Emma…fucking Emma. She has something called myasthenia gravis. She says it makes it so that her muscles don’t work.”
“It’s true.”
I eyed him suspiciously, and found his smiling face in front of me. Instantly, I knew he was mocking me. “Believe me or not. I don’t care, but that’s what she says she has.”
“And I’m telling you that disease is real and it does work the way she says.”
“But to use a walker at her age? Come on. You don’t believe that, do you?”
“It’s possible, but I don’t know her, so I can’t judge.”
“And there it is.”
“What?”
“If it’s real, if she’s really that sick, then she needs to be in a home or something so that others can take care of her. She shouldn’t be married to my brother.”
He leaned closer to me, setting his arms on the bar. “I’m going to be honest, I’m having a hard time following your logic.”
“Sympathizer,” my words were starting to become slurred.
“Not really, but I used to be a medic in the army. After that, I did a stint as a paramedic and remembered seeing a couple of cases.”
“Why aren’t you a para-para…that any longer?”
Laughing again, he said, “I got sick of the shifts and got burned out. Now I volunteer down at the V.A. and I’m here most nights.”
I pursed my lips together. “So you don’t miss having a real job?”
“Nah. I have this place to run and volunteering gives me purpose. What do you like to do for fun? Do you like your job?”
Another fire was lit from within and I yelled, “Emma is to blame for that too!”
“What?” He appeared on the verge of laugh, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners.
“Before her, everyone loved me. They loved me. And now my brother hates me, Chad hates me and wants to bury me, and I’m on the verge of losing my job. And it’s all because Emma came.”
“I don’t follow.”
“Don’t you see? Emma came and everyone loved her. Chad hated me and told my HR manager all about me and now she hates me, and someone is sabo-sabo…trying to get me in trouble at work. It all comes back to Emma.”
“Is the only issue you have with her because she’s disabled?”
“Yes! You can’t trust those kinds of people. They’re liars and they’ll try and trick you.”
“How do you know?”
“Because it happened to me when I was younger,” I admitted in a quiet voice. I couldn’t look at him any longer, and instead I allowed my eyes to wander around the space surrounding me. The vodka made me feel lightheaded, as if I was floating in the clouds. I liked this feeling, even if I was going to hate waking up in the morning. To my right several people sat talking to others as they drank whatever the bartenders put in front of them. To my left, a tall woman with long blonde hair and a trim waist was making out with a guy who was only slightly taller than her. He was built, but I couldn’t see much of him. And then he pulled back and I sucked in a breath. Chad. He was here with someone else, and it felt like I had been punched in the gut.
The urge to flee made me shake and panicked, but I couldn’t drive. Pulling out my phone, I ordered a ride with my Uber app before dropping two twenties on the bar. “Keep the change.”
“You okay?”
I had been keeping my eyes downward after I realized who was next to me, but now I glanced at Jack and forced a smile. “Yeah, perfect. I just remembered I’m supposed to be somewhere else. I called for a ride and I’ll pick up my car tomorrow. I…um…thanks for the talk.”
I quickly got out of my seat and tried to take a step forward, however, I pitched to
the side in my drunken state and fell into Chad and his date. Fuck my life. “Sorry.” I righted myself and tried to run away, but the girl grabbed me.
“You should watch where you’re going. I cut my lip because of you,” she shouted at me, shaking me slightly.
It was probably the wrong reaction, but I got a small thrill of satisfaction hearing her say that. “Sorry. Really, I am,” I apologized again and tried to get away. But when I jerked my arm away from her, I started to fall backward and closed my eyes tightly. I never hit the ground. Slowly opening my eyes, I found Chad’s blue eyes staring back at me with concern.
“Rayne? What are you doing here?”
“Figures you would be a member,” I grumbled, trying to distract him from asking his questions, and wanting to attack him at the same time.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came for a drink. Got a problem with that?”
He helped me stand up and shook his head. “Not at all, but you’re smashed.”
“And this time it’s my fault and not yours,” I sneered. “Have fun with your date. My ride is on its way.”
I saw the worry and irritation at odds on his face, and then he peered over his shoulder to his date. He wasn’t sure if he should stay or go. All of it played out on his face…it was either that or I was drunk and seeing things. “Uh…”
Pushing him away, I scoffed. “I don’t need your pity or concern.” I turned to Jack. “It was nice meeting you. I’m glad we talked.”
“Good riddance,” I heard Chad’s date say.
That one statement pissed me off more than anything else tonight. It was probably because I didn’t like seeing them sucking face, but at that moment, I hated her with or without cause. “Oh don’t worry, honey. He’ll get to you eventually, and he’ll pleasure you just like he has hundreds of others, and then you’ll be just another notch on his belt. Unless you already are, and unlike some, he deemed you worthy enough to fuck again.” The astonished expression was hard to miss. “Oh? Did you not know about his reputation?”
“That’s enough Rayne.” Chad tried to stop me by grabbing my arms and pushing me backwards. “It’s time to go home. I’ll drive you.”
“I don’t think so. I have a car waiting for me. I’ll be going home without you. I don’t need you, or my family, or anyone else. Everything was perfect before Emma showed up, and without all of you in it, it will be perfect again.” I ran out of the club, bumping into a couple of people that got in my way. They didn’t stop me though, and when I made it outside into the fresh air, I found a car waiting, and Earl standing next to me.
“I think this might be yours.” He grinned and opened the back door for me.
I got in, gave the driver my address, and left, leaving the club and Chad behind.
Chapter 28
Chad
T he last person I expected to see at Club Mystique tonight was Rayne. Drunk off her ass. After saving her from a concussion, she ran away, and part of me longed to go after her.
I would have chased her, but Sheena grabbed my arm and held tight. “Let go,” I ordered, my voice a low roar.
“Why would you want her when you can have me?” she purred, pressing her breasts against my arm, grinding her hips against mine.
“I never said I wanted her, but so we’re clear, she is my friend’s little sister. Not only that, she was drunk and pissed off. As for what you said, that’s easy…she isn’t being a twat like you. She at least has some class.” The world must be ending if I chose to compliment Rayne.
“Excuse me? Do you know how many men want me?”
“I’m sure there are tons, you’re a beautiful woman, but swee…” I stopped. Somehow calling her the very endearment I called Rayne, regardless if I used it sarcastically, felt wrong. “But honey, this was only about sex. That’s all. If you thought it was more, that I would tout you all over town so that people could see you on my arm, you thought wrong. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
“Chad! How dare you!” she screeched, and before I could turn away, she slapped me across my face. I deserved it. I admitted that. However, when she tried to slap me again, I grabbed her wrist and shook my head. Why did everyone try to slap me?
“Don’t do it,” I warned.
She huffed and then wrenched her arm out of my grasp and stormed off, getting lost in the sea of strangers on the dance floor. Once I knew she was gone, I sidled up to the bar and asked, “How much did she have to drink?”
“Three vodka tonics.” He grinned sheepishly.
“How strong?” I returned his smile.
Chuckling, he admitted, “She probably had equal to four or five drinks.”
“Leave it to you to get her drunk. Did she leave an open tab?”
“She left money, but she left too much.”
“Keep it. It’s your tip for dealing with her.”
He laughed a little more, and then became serious. “Are you the Chad in her story?”
“I see she’s been talking about me. Probably. I don’t know how many Chads that she knows and hates right now.”
Placing his hands firmly on the bar, he told me, “I don’t think she hates you, but she does have some strong feelings for you and Emma.”
I rolled my eyes, my jaw tightening. “Always fucking Emma. She should get over her hang-up.”
“I don’t think she can.”
“Emma’s not going anywhere,” I barked harshly.
He held his hands up in surrender and said, “You don’t have to tell me, but there might be a reason she acts the way she does. Never judge a book by its cover. It’s what’s on the inside that counts.”
“Quoting proverbs and clichés now? I thought better of you.” The tightness in my chest melted. “I’ll keep that in mind, although, I think it’s best I stay away from her for now.”
“Probably. She has some stuff she needs to figure out. And right now, Emma is to blame for everything.”
“What? But—”
“That’s how it is sometimes. It’s that prejudice in her. Just give her space and let her work it out.”
“I swear, you’re more of a shrink than a bartender.”
“We get all kinds.” His wink and laugh had me chuckling with him.
Jack was probably right, Rayne had probably been through something. So if rock bottom wasn’t going to make her change her mentality, I wondered what would. When I had set out to teach her a lesson, I hadn’t counted on help from the cosmos, but it happened. Her job was in jeopardy, her family had issues with how she treated Emma, and everything else seemed to be slowly unravelling; and yet, she blamed Emma even more than ever. What would it take to change her?
For now, though, I would give her space and let her work through everything herself. Besides, I realized tonight that I had my own thinking to do. The one thing I fought and denied had happened. I cared about Rayne. I stood there with Sheena tonight and compared her lips to Rayne’s, and they were found lacking, unable to measure up.
Somehow, some way, Rayne had found her way into my heart. She challenged me like no other, and I loved arguing with her. I wanted to protect her from any and all harm. But more than that, I wanted her to change because I knew deep inside she could be a good person. And I was afraid that if she continued on her current path of destruction, she might lose her brother, and that would devastate them both.
Rayne needed redemption, but maybe I did as well.
Chapter 29
Rayne
I t had been two weeks since I ran into Chad at the club and left him there. I hadn’t talked to him, texted, or emailed. If it came to a business call, he talked to Justin. When I came into work the next day after the club incident, I found out that my boss had taken control of the rebranding project. My expertise was no longer required. Hearing that, it felt like someone had gutted me.
Now there was no reason to talk to Chad—not that I wanted one. I didn’t. That lie stopped working a week ago. After no communication, I realized I missed
him. This was worse than the last time we had gone without speaking because this time a note of finality encircled it, holding steadfast.
Chad disappeared from my life and I pushed him to it. I spilled my guts to a bartender too. I couldn’t believe how loose my lips had gotten that night. Embarrassed and alone. My life had become so grand.
And to top it all off, I had yet to figure out who sabotaged me at work. More issues with orders were found, and everything had my signature, or what looked to be my signature. And if it wasn’t a faxed order, it was emailed from my computer, which meant that someone hacked my emails. Evidence started to stack against me and I could see how everyone looked down their noses at me, their eyes accusing me. They judged me as guilty even though I had done nothing wrong.
Some would say that I had done the same thing to Emma and Megan, but the two situations were completely different…maybe. I was second guessing myself, hearing Chad’s voice tell me that I was wrong about Emma, and it scared me. Scared of the future, scared of what’ll happen, and scared to be alone during the time of tribulation in my life. The world had decided to turn against me and punish me.
The ringing of my office phone pulled my attention, and I answered, “This is Rayne.”
“Rayne, please come into my office. I need to discuss something with you,” Justin stated and disconnected the call. He sounded resigned, his sharp tone making him sound angry. Normally, he exchanged polite pleasantries, but not this time. Then again, the last few weeks when he talked to me, he seemed harsher, almost angry.
I had done nothing wrong. I kept repeating that in my head. I wanted to shout it from the rooftops, but no one would listen. Not even Chad. Not now. Even though in the beginning, he helped me for his own selfish reasons. In his own way, he had been there for me. No longer though.
My hands clenched and unclenched on my desktop. They were trembling and I tried to shake them out to calm the nerves, but it didn’t help. I breathed in and out, in and out, but even that did nothing except make me feel lightheaded. Slowly, I stood. I was terrified about what lie waiting for me on the other side of my office door. This was the end, and if it wasn’t, it was the beginning of the end. Maybe they had to keep me on because I hadn’t received a warning—verbal or written. I could’ve sworn the law stated I had to have those before I could be fired.
Redeemed: Book Two of the Love Seekers Series Page 19
