TEN
Eden
I’d managed to put a brave face on the day after Conall’s visit while I was working at the diner. I passed off the bruised cheek and slight black eye as a drunken stumble into a door when visiting my friend over the weekend. Hell, I’d rehearsed the lie so many times I was actually starting to believe it myself.
In truth, I was shaken. My confidence that I’d built up from nothing over the last few years had taken a big hit. As soon as I left the house in the morning I was looking over my shoulder constantly, paranoia turning every shady looking character into one of Conall’s goons.
God knows there’s enough of them in this town…
I had the same feeling when I was walking home after finishing at the diner, like I was being watched. The hairs on the back on my neck stood on end, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.
Then all of a sudden an image of Jack appeared in my mind. Strong, tall, handsome. Smiling casually at me like the last time I saw him, as he rested against the bar, eyes looking deeply into mine. Part of me longed to see him when I opened the door to my house, for him to take me into a warm, protective embrace.
Thoughts of Conall and his threats started to evaporate as I thought about Jack. When I did, I found myself distracted, unable to concentrate on much else. I’d been a bit ditsy since I’d seen him Friday, not my usual, intelligent, focused self.
I got back home, head held high and smiling as I entered the front door quickly, making sure to lock the door behind me. I was once again greeted by silence and a sense of loneliness as I walked through to the kitchen.
Damn. No Jack. Well, maybe if I play my cards right one day soon he’ll be waiting for me when I get home. Just need to make sure I get this right, or we’ll both be in trouble...
I still had a few hours before starting my shift at the bar, and I set to work rehearsing my plan for when Jack visited me later in the evening.
That’s if he turns up…
I smiled to myself, thinking about the way he’d looked at me when we’d met. Somehow I knew he was gonna be there.
I decided to wear pretty much what I was wearing before, choosing a different set of underwear than the last time. A bit less cleavage, makeup not so pronounced. I wanted Jack to see the bruise on my face. Plus I didn’t want too much unwanted attention from any drunken strangers tonight.
A while later, after having a long, hot shower and getting ready for work, I sat on a chair in my kitchen, chewing thoughtfully on a pen. My laptop sat on the table in front of me, a small scrap of paper next to it. I was browsing a local map online, zooming in and out and scrolling around town. I nodded decisively, the screen fixed on a single location. I brushed my hair back over my ear as I scrawled a note onto the scrap of paper, then hiding it in my pants pocket.
“Here goes nothing,” I said aloud, sighing as I rose to leave for the bar.
I rehearsed my story about how I’d gotten my black eye in my mind as I walked to the bar. I didn’t need Jack to believe me, in fact I wanted the opposite. And anyway, if he was as good a detective as Cindy had said, he’d see through the bullshit anyway. It was anyone else who might be listening that I needed to convince.
I needed to convince them I was still covering for Conall. And that I wasn’t interested in talking to a cop.
My heart felt slightly heavy as I arrived for work, knowing that I’d need to brush Jack off casually if I wanted the ruse to work. But something told me he was sharp, that he noticed things others didn’t. I was confident he’d understand, maybe even play along.
God, I hope so. I don’t want to ruin things before they’ve even started.
I steeled myself with a deep breath before entering the bar, looking around casually and smiling furtively at the few faces I saw dotted around. As I’d expected, there were only a handful of drinkers in so far tonight. Only a few more would likely come and go before the end of the night.
Most faces I recognized, but there were one or two I didn’t. A guy sat in the booth nearest to the bar smiled at me as I walked past, a little too suspiciously.
OK. So I’m guessing I’ve got an audience then. Stay cool, Eden. You can do this.
I swapped with the girl Amy who’d been covering the early shift. She winced when she saw my face, but didn’t say anything. We barely knew each other as we’d never worked a double shift together, and I guessed she thought it was probably better not to ask.
I was glad to not have to repeat the story for a tenth time already today.
I set about serving the regulars, chatting away with them calmly as they nursed their beers. I brushed off their concern over my bruised face, explaining the imaginary drunken fall I had on Saturday. A couple of the guys laughed good naturedly at my story. I made sure I said it loud enough for those sitting in the booths nearby to hear.
As I’d expected, only a few more drinkers turned up over the course of the evening, and the shift was slow. It would almost have been boring if my heart wasn’t hammering in my chest at the thought of seeing Jack again.
A little while later the door swung open and a tall figure walked in. My eyes widened when I saw Jack standing there as he surveyed the drinkers inside.
He was wearing his usual jeans and shiny boots, doubled with an immaculate bleached white shirt which fitted his athletic form perfectly. His black leather trench coat adorned his broad shoulders, the collar turned up against the rain that was pouring down outside.
He brushed water off of his short blonde hair as he approached the bar, and I saw the muscles of his arm strain against the leather of his jacket.
I felt a tingle of desire mixed with nervousness as I studied him, feeling immediately safe at his presence. I figured it was gonna be a short visit, but all the while he was here I was untouchable.
I smiled at him as he approached, his eyes meeting mine as he looked up. He immediately frowned with concern as he saw the bruise on my face.
“Hey, Eden. Everything alright?” he said, in a deep voice strained with genuine worry.
I think I know how you could make everything better…
“Hey. Yeah, everything's fine. Nothing to worry about. Just had an accident when I was out drinking with a friend on Saturday night. Stumbled right into a door I thought she was gonna hold open for me!” I giggled nervously, brushing my hair back over an ear as his gaze intensified, his eyes studying my features.
Good. He thinks it’s bullshit. Now for phase two…
“Can I get you a drink?” I said, hands on the bar in front of Jack. I longed to lean over, grab him by his shirt, bring his face down to meet mine…
He was still frowning at me as I spoke, and I could see his mind working behind his clear eyes.
“Yeah. Sure, I’ll take a pale ale.” He took a seat on a stool, drumming his fingers on the bar as I poured his drink.
I turned to look at him as I poured the beer. He was returning my gaze, his expression fixed with concern and consternation. I think he’d already worked out what had happened and was already thinking about getting revenge.
Or at least, that’s what I’m hoping…
I took a deep breath as I approached, putting the glass down gingerly in front of him. I needed to get this part just right, or I was afraid I’d never see him again.
“Listen. I don’t think we should meet on Thursday. I uh… well I don’t think I’m ready for anything yet. I’m sorry. I hope you understand.” I looked into his eyes, my expression pleading.
Please…
His face lit up in a broad, friendly smile and he sat back, taking a long drink from his beer. He set the glass down in front of him then looked back into my eyes.
“Sure thing, Eden. If you say you ain’t ready, you ain’t ready. I won’t bother you any more, darlin’.” His eyes flashed with an unreadable glint as he fished in his jacket for a bill, setting it down in front of me.
“Keep the change,” he said, rising to leave his seat at the bar.
Shit.
I glanced down at the twenty he’d put down.
“Hey, no that’s too much. I’ll get myself a drink out of it and you can have the rest back. I insist.” I waited for his response with my breath held.
“Whatever you say, Eden.” He waited for me to open a beer for myself and fetch him his change. I carefully slipped my handwritten note between two fives as I passed him the money, grateful for the brief contact between our hands.
He winked at me as he walked away, stuffing the change and notes into the pocket of his trench coat.
He took a seat in an empty booth near the door, facing away from me. I saw him finish his beer quickly then rise to leave, transferring the bills I’d given him from his pocket to his wallet as he approached the door.
I felt unease as he left, hoping any unwanted eyes had bought the ruse.
If anyone saw me slip that note into his change, well, then I’m screwed…
I startled slightly as a rough figure approached me at the bar. I recognised the guy I’d seen earlier, who had been grinning as I’d entered and had turned to stare when I’d been chatting with Jack.
He ordered a straight bourbon and downed it in one, ordering another one immediately after, gasping as he downed the second.
He looked at me, smiling as he spoke. His voice was quiet but wore an evil sneer on his face. “You played that well, girl. Keep being good and Conall won’t have to keep an eye on you so much.”
He turned to look over his shoulder at the door Jack had just walked through.
“But if we see you talking to him again, things won’t go so easy. Don’t want him poking his nose in where it ain’t wanted. If he does start sniffing around, there’ll be trouble. For both of you.”
He wagged a dirty finger as he left, not even bothering to leave any money for the drinks. One of the regulars, a large but well-muscled ex-logger offered to stop him from leaving without paying. I shook my head, not wanting to cause any trouble now that I had Conall off my case.
For now, at least. The moron he sent to watch me bought it. I just need to keep my head down until Thursday, then the rest will be up to Jack…