Marty
Thoughts about the baby stayed in my head as the Smoke, Inc. crew plunged straight into fortifying the firebreak. I usually did well separating personal from business, but not this time.
Me, fathering a kid, seemed impossible. Kit and I had tried… Maybe Kit had been sick longer than we’d known. Holly, on the other hand… One time and bam. Like I said, I just couldn’t wrap my head around it.
I feared the tests had been wrong and she’d come back from the doctor with a different diagnosis. God forbid it was anything serious. I calmed myself by thinking about the woman herself. Holly looked fit, more than fit, blooming.
I admit, conversations with Holly were difficult. If she wasn’t my baby’s mother, I’d pass on knowing her. Too much… I pictured her in my mind and swallowed a groan.
Too much, my ass, I sneered at myself. I thought about how it had felt curled around her in that big bed. Baby or not I wanted more of her. But, she didn’t want more of me.
She claimed I was being nosey. Fuck that. It’s my right to follow the progress of my seed as it gestates. She said I was a pompous ass.
I laughed at that one, because, yeah, sometimes I am. But, I can take a hint. Not wanting to set her blood pressure sky rocketing, I decided it best to focus strictly on my kid. That meant eliminating all the personal blathering I wanted to share with his mama.
Because she didn’t want personal. That was being nosey. So, instead, I timed my calls to coincide with her doctor’s visits which she had each week. When I called in between, to hear her voice and make sure she sounded okay, I focused the conversation on her health since that was an acceptable topic.
She had a doctor’s visit scheduled each week. Garret explained that Holly had been designated a high-risk pregnancy because of her age and her first-time birthing status.
“Marty, it doesn’t mean Holly’s sick or that there’s anything wrong with the kid. Most first pregnancies in women her age are watched more closely.”
“Christ. You act like she’s an old woman. She’s only…” Shit, I didn’t even know her age. And that pissed me off all over again.
“Holly’s twenty-nine, Marty,” Garret had supplied information I should have already known.
Even out on the job, if I contemplated Holly long enough, I ended up grinding my teeth. So, I thought about our kid instead, and prepared questions for when I called. I figured out fast that if I let her take the lead, I got more conversation time with her. It surprised me when she seemed worried about me.
“Are you okay? I’m following the news and it looks bad from here.” Hearing Holly’s concern for me made me happy though I didn’t want her worrying about anything.
The last thing I intended to do was tell her it was a goddamned nightmare here. Jesus. Hell couldn’t be any hotter and the changing wind patterns, well…
“Lost my eyebrows when the wind shifted,” I told her. “Otherwise, I’m good.” I thought that was probably too much information, so I backed up to the topic of weather. “What we really need is heavy rain.” I couldn’t think of anything else to say after that.
“I don’t know when I’ll get a call through again. Don’t give Elaine fits. Take care of yourself. Keep a spot in Grandpa’s bed warm for me.” I added the last to remind her of my proprietary interest in her sleeping arrangement.
Her laughter broke through all the stilted bull shit we’d been shoveling at each other. I knew I had a smile plastered on my face, and I suspected she did too. Mission accomplished. My next call from Jack wiped the grin right off.
“Girlfriend almost bought the dust the other day. Had I not pulled her ass out of the way, she’d be roadkill under a van’s front tire.”
What the hell? “Explain.” He did. I told him to stick close to her from now on. Christ. Along with every other quirk, she appeared to be accident prone.
“At least she’s got quick reflexes,” he’d reported, explaining that she’d punched him in the face when he’d grabbed her.
“Jack says you almost got run over the other day,” I said as soon as I reached Holly again.
“Jack exaggerates,” she answered, supplying no other explanation.
“Says you clipped him a good one,” I added.
“He’ll live. I didn’t hurt him much. It wasn’t a big deal.”
“Did you or did you not almost step into the path of van?” I demanded, getting irritated.
“I did not.”
“So, what the hell is Jack talking about?”
She sighed, irritating me even more. “I was waiting at the bus stop. Standing on the edge of the curb so I could be first in line to get on. A vehicle swerved too close, Jack, who I did not even know was lurking behind me, grabbed me by the collar and jerked me backward. It startled me, and I swung around and punched him. No big drama. End of story.”
“Why the hell don’t you just let Jack drive you to and from?”
“Because I don’t want to,” she answered, sounding belligerent. “And furthermore, stay out of my business.”
I knew Jack wouldn’t have mentioned the incident if Holly hadn’t had a very close encounter with a metal monster. But her version made it sound as though Jack had overreacted. Since I couldn’t be there, I asked Jack to continue his bodyguarding, discreetly of course. Meanwhile, I limited my conversations with Holly to her medical updates.
I held to my part of the bargain and focused on pregnancy issues. Holly seemed a bit testy when I asked details about her health, but when I pointed out it was under the purview of what could be considered our business she kept me abreast of her gestation progress.
Assured that things were fine at home, I concentrated on the job, limiting phone calls. Smoke, Inc. got an offer to stay on site, and the contract tempted me. I talked it over with the crew; the money was top-dollar and even though we were all tired, I’d made up my mind to accept the job when I heard from Elaine.
“What do you mean Holly’s going clubbing? She’s pregnant, she can’t do that.”
I’d expected my personal assistant to assist, as in, be my eyes and ears while I wasn’t home. As with Jack, I had included in her job description, keeping a watchful eye on my future progeny.
I thought Elaine had managed my baby’s mama into a sensible lifestyle. She’d scored touchdowns in getting Holly to agree to the insurance, the baby doctor, and even company employment.
I’d been sprawled on my blanket, SAT-phone in hand, ready to tell Elaine to fax one of our extended contract forms to the appropriate local agency. I didn’t get a chance to give my order before my unflappable secretary revealed she’d lost control of her charge.
“Can’t make your woman stay at home?” Teague and Cowboy both smirked at me from where they lurked, openly eavesdropping.
“Seems like it’s going around,” I drawled. “Harley-Jane and Megan are planning to party with her as well.” That wiped the smile off their faces.
I called Garret. As soon as he answered, I began. “I need you to call Holly and tell her she can’t go out clubbing with a bunch of women.” Even to my own ears I sounded like a petulant child.
“She’s not,” he answered immediately. Good. Someone had my back. “I’m going with them. She’ll be fine.” And he hung up before I could even ask what club they intended to start at.
Holly
I’d been anticipating the conversation with Marty when he called to review the results from my nonexistent Thursday medical appointment. I didn’t get to use any of my rehearsed sassy remarks because the phone remained silent that night. I felt cheated. I’d intended to tell him that the consensus of four Smoke, Inc. women was that the crew needed to come home.
When he didn’t call at all, I focused on life without him, because, really when all was said and done, my life and Marty’s life were separate entities. I had to keep reminding myself of that immutable fact.
Sheesh. I’d only started the whole, I’m going out thing, to demonstrate I could do whatever I wanted. I’d also assumed Elaine would tattle on me and Marty would tell me to stay home.
From that conversation I’d intended to work my way to telling him to come home…based on the will of the Smoke, Inc. women, etc. However, our imaginary conversation never happened.
Though I had no desire to go clubbing anywhere with anyone, my idea snowballed, and my rebellion gathered supporters along the way. Not being much of a party-goer, and never a bar-hopper, I yearned for rescue.
I’d fully expected Marty to find some obscure reason I shouldn’t go out and I’d blame him when I weaseled out of going. When I didn’t hear from him at all Thursday night, I worried something might have happened at the burn site.
Elaine stayed at the office on Friday. I called to find out what was going on with the crew, specifically was Marty okay, and she said she’d talked to him and he was fine.
She didn’t seem surprised he hadn’t called me, and it definitely showed me my place in the grand scheme of things. I was embarrassed that I’d let myself get comfortable in Marty’s world.
I had to follow through on going out, or lose face with my friends, numbering three now. But, my heart wasn’t in it. Since I couldn’t drink, and had no desire to sit in a bar and watch others have fun, that left a night with Roger.
I secured Garret’s escort by baiting my hook with Roger. Megan and Harley-Jane decided they were accompanying us to the CZ Club Friday night where we’d watch Roger’s alter-ego performing as Regina.
When the night arrived, Garret picked us up at my house and drove all of us to the club. As promised, we had a reserved table waiting for us. Roger was nowhere in sight, and I didn’t want to interrupt his pre-performance prep time, so I sat at our table and waited for the show to start.
“Staying out of trouble, I hope,” Maxine, the owner of Baby Dolls, greeted me when she strolled into CZ a bit later.
“I didn’t know you two knew each other,” I sputtered, shocked to see Elaine behind her.
“Poker Tuesday nights,” Maxine answered.
“Mind if we share your table?” Elaine asked, already pulling chairs from other tables to accommodate their addition to our group.
* * *
“Had a visit from a spurious member of the city today,” Maxine announced as soon as she sat down. “Said he’d been told that Baby Dolls Escort Service was really a stable of high class hookers.”
“It is, isn’t it?” I’d meant it as a tease, but her frown indicated she didn’t see the humor.
“Might want to rethink that opinion since it was my dancing Marilyn he wanted to know better. He wanted an introduction. He was quite insistent.”
“So?” I didn’t see much of a problem. Maxine had handled a lot worse.
“He threatened to go to the media and cause a stink if I didn’t give him what he wanted.”
“So, what did you do?”
“I told him business was booming since Marilyn’s dance, but a reminder to the public that she’d helped a disabled firefighter would be fine. Anything else would be libelous and my attorneys would see him in court.”
“And?”
“He scuttled away. But,” she paused and shook her head. “Something about the guy was off. I wouldn’t have booked him for any of my girls.”
“You trying to recruit my dancing mama, Maxine?” Marty’s question rumbled in my ear.
“Marty,” I gasped. “What are you doing here?” I’d been so focused on Maxine’s story I hadn’t seen him arrive.
“You should be thanking me for the introduction, stud,” Maxine answered, grinning up at Marty.
“You still have your lease, don’t you?” he growled. Then said to me. “Stand up a minute, baby doll.”
When I did, he sat on my chair, then pulled me onto his lap. Across the table, Megan did the same with Teague, and as soon as Harley-Jane unwrapped herself from Cowboy’s frame, they shared her chair as well.
“All this stress can’t be good for the kid,” Marty said glancing around.
“What stress,” I asked, gazing over my shoulder at him. “Geez, you weren’t kidding. Half your eyebrows are gone.”
“Makes me look distinguished,” he assured me. “Don’t change the subject. “Did you go back to see the doctor for the follow up exam?”
“Do not start with the medical stuff.” I didn’t hide my impatience at the idea of spending my night out discussing my blood pressure.
“Well, is everything all, right?”
“Maxine says a possible pervert wants to date me, but everything else is fantastic.”
The lights dimmed around us and I squirmed on his lap, making myself comfortable. I couldn’t believe how relieved I was to see him. And if the growing erection under my bottom was evidence, Marty was happy to see me as well.
Marty
“If some guy’s chasing after you, sweet cheeks, as your tenant and co-parent, we’re going to have to talk about it.” I slid my arms around her waist and enjoyed the way her bottom fit snug against my groin. Perfect fit.
“Being my tenant entitles you to a room. The guy at Maxine’s is nothing, and the parenting together, we’ll figure that out. But, Regina’s about to begin. Hush now.”
Regina who? Never mind. Who cared. With Holly’s body hugging mine, I figured I’d let her have the last word for now. The show was obviously about to begin.
On stage, a good-looking woman dressed in a blue filmy get-up, glided into the spotlight and stood center stage. As if looking for something specific, she gazed out at the audience.
“Good evening everyone.” Her husky tones were almost familiar to me, but I couldn’t say why. “Special welcome to the Smoke, Inc. crew this evening.”
My mind had been wandering, as in wondering how soon I could pry Holly out of here and persuade her into Grandpa’s bed at home.
But the performer had my attention when she singled out our table.
“Do I have a volunteer, this evening,” she asked.
“What the hell are they volunteering for,” I asked when chairs screeched against the floor. A quick glance around the room confirmed that at least a dozen men stood at their tables, looking hopefully at the woman on stage.
Instead of waiting quietly like the rest of the volunteers, Garret bounded out of his seat so fast he knocked it over. Elaine caught it before it clattered to the floor while he made a bee-line for the night’s entertainment.
I settled back in my chair, curious to see what came next. The entertainer motioned for Garret to join her on stage. He trotted to the corner of the room, disappeared through a door, and ten seconds later reappeared by her side.
Music began, he raised his arms, she stepped into his embrace and they waltzed.
Okay, a dance routine. Since the kid had previously shown no inclination to participate in public entertainment, I didn’t know what he was up to.
After an intricate clockwise turn, Garret settled his arm around his partner’s waist and walked with her for a short promenade, then he moved forward in a smooth, fluid turn that accommodated the change in tempo when the music morphed into jazz. From there they moved into a rhumba, then a foxtrot, finishing with a steamy tango.
“Did you know the kid could dance like that?” Cowboy asked loud enough for most of the room to hear.
“Who do you think taught, him?” I answered, laughing proudly.
When the music ended, Garret and his partner, held hands, bowing toward our table. Then he left the stage and rejoined the crew. He was winded, but smiling big, happier than I’d seen him in a while.
When a stand-up comedian came on next, Elaine announced she was done for the night. “Garret, you were wonderful. It’s been fun. Later.” Taking that as her cue to leave, Maxine pushed back from the table as well.
“Watch your back, honey,” Maxine said to Holly. “There’s a squirrely one out there trolling for you.”
“What the hell? Holly you said it was nothing. Who’s squirrely, what do you mean he’s trolling, and where can I find him?”
“Holly can fill you in,” Maxine answered.
My questions had to wait when Holly’s friend, Roger, arrived at the table. But there was no way I wouldn’t be investigating further.
“You missed a good show,” Cowboy told him.
“Glad you enjoyed Regina. Ready Garret?”
As soon as Garret’s date spoke, I froze. Holly must have felt my surprise because she turned and gave me a smug grin.
Cowboy got it about the same time I did. “You’re the dancing woman?” he asked incredulously.
“Regina,” Holly supplied the star’s name. “Regina packs the crowd every Friday night, choosing a partner from the audience. Garret got lucky tonight.”
“Marty, you don’t mind taking Holly home, do you?” The kid’s eagerness to leave with his date made me smile.
“Not a problem. I’m going that way.”
“Have fun you two.” Holly hopped off my lap ready to leave the club. “You look tired,” she said, frowning at me.
“I’m beat,” I admitted, handing her the keys. “You drive. If I fall asleep, just leave me in the Hummer when we get home.”
Home. God that sounds good. Fatigue hit me with such force, I staggered when I stood. After we made it to my ride without me falling on my face, I relaxed on the seat next to her, enjoying the ride to her house.
“You have a driver’s license?” I thought to ask, half way there.
“You just rest up on the way home and don’t worry your head about a thing,” she chided me, giving me a quick glance and a toothy grin.
I laid the seat back as far as it would go and closed my eyes. If the cops pulled us over, I’d deal with it and pay the fine. Tired as I was, I didn’t want to waste one moment of time with her in sleep—unless it was us wrapped around each other in Grandpa’s big bed.
“We’re home,” she announced when she drove into her driveway.
Home. I knew with a sinking feeling, I’d invested more than lease money here. Every day, this old house and its owner claimed a bigger and bigger piece of my heart.