Haunted (9 page)

Jade took over the narrative. “We’d just watched The Grudge for the hundredth time and Mage got up to take a leak in the wee hours of the morn. He found this dumbass curled up in the tub in his boxers. Said he didn’t know how he got there.”

I giggled. Poor Star!

“That’s ok, Star. Often people sleepwalk after a traumatic experience. It has to do with the body’s subconscious and how it tries to help us deal with trauma.”

Jade shuddered. “Shit, the real trauma would have been if I found him in there naked.”

They all laughed and I tried to console Star. “Like you guys have never been caught with your pants down.”

I looked over at Devon, who promptly spit out his milk and grabbed frantically for a napkin.

The guys looked between Marcus and us, and Marcus said, “What did you tell her, D?”  Devon took another bite of his spaghetti and ignored Marcus. “Did you break the Bro Code? Damn, dude! How could you? After all we’ve been through?” He started mock sobbing. The other guys were shaking their heads.

Devon recovered and shot back, “What? It’s not like I told her about the time you and Bernadette got caught on my daddy's boat because you forgot to check that you were tied up and drifted out into the Gulf.”

“Yeah, and you guys left your clothes on the dock,” added Jade and the guys all started laughing.

“Ok, funny guy,” Marcus turned on Jade. “What about the time I caught you in Mama’s underwear drawer?”  

Jade blushed and said, “That was for Mardi Gras and you know it, asshole!”  

He threw a bread crust at Marcus that just barely missed me. Marcus grabbed an ice cube out of his tea glass and chucked it back.

Star leaned into Jade and said, “Dude, what about the time Marcus sang that Michael Bolton song at the talent show in middle school.”

Ok, that one got me laughing and got another ice cube thrown by Marcus.

“I won, didn’t I? Y’all were just jealous you didn’t have the balls to get up there.”

Mage and Devon kept shaking their heads, trying to stay out of the path of Marcus’ ice cubes.

“What song did you sing, Marcus?”  

He lifted his chin and smoothed back his hair. “I covered his version of How Am I Supposed To Live Without You. It was a huge success.”

The other guys were laughing hard.

“He even had the long mullet to go with it.” Jade was holding his sides and gasping for breath.

“My hair was awesome! I didn’t hear any of the girls complaining.” He was trying awfully hard to remain untouched by their razzing.

“Yeah, I’m sure it kept Bernadette warm out there on Uncle David’s boat.”

At that Marcus kicked back his stool and Jade took off running. They were chasing each other while the other guys continued to roar with laughter. Jade got up the stairs and continued to taunt him from the gangway, warbling out lines to the Bolton tune.

I couldn’t stop laughing either. It was fun watching them act like boys and give each other a hard time. I never had that kind of relationship with anyone until I met Mackenzie and I was still new to it. It had taken me a long time to not get upset when she’d tease me. It was different in the tattoo shops I’d worked in. There was hazing and pranking and that kind of thing, but this was true brotherly love I was witnessing here, and it was strong despite their current dilemma.

“So what’s on the agenda for tonight,” I asked Mage and Devon.

They shrugged. “I think there’s an Evil Dead marathon on tonight. You game?”

I beamed at Jade for the suggestion. “I LOVE those movies! Although, you can really do without the first one. Evil Dead 2 is the best.”

Mage was looking at me in wonder.

“You actually like horror movies?” He put his arm around my shoulders and said, “Guys, can we keep her? I mean, she likes Evil Dead! That’s like perfection!” He dropped his arm and I patted him on the shoulder.

“You have to give me up in 16 more days I’m afraid, or Mackenzie will make Ash’s girlfriend look harmless.”

They all laughed at that, except Star.

“What’s her story, Jaylene? She got a beau?”  

I knew he’d taken a liking to her. I raised an eyebrow at him. “I don’t think I can answer that unless I know your intentions, young man.”

He smiled sheepishly. “She’s awful pretty. I like all that pink hair she’s got going on and those legs...I, ah, I mean she’s pretty talented with a needle. Shit. I mean shoot.”

It was so charming how they tried not to cuss around me.

“She does not have a boyfriend, Star, but she does have a line of guys who would like to take her out. She doesn’t just go off with any guy with a cute smile. So while you do have a cute smile, you have to have more going for you than that. Are you gainfully employed?”  

The other guys laughed at that. “Depends on your definition of gainful,” said Marcus, who was dragging a red-faced Jade through the room in a headlock.

“You know, like in a respectable profession.” I crossed my arms and tapped my foot at him.

“Would you call a professional musician respectable?”  

I narrowed my eyes at him. “A musician! A person who travels around wooing women in every city, using his music to lower unsuspecting women’s inhibitions? I think not! What other skills do you have?”  

He was seriously trying to come up with something. “Uh, I’m good with my hands? Ah, that didn’t sound right. I mean I can fix cars and shit, I mean stuff. I restored a 1965 Camaro with my uncles when I was a teenager and not hanging around with these knuckleheads.”

“Hmmm, classic cars are certainly a weakness of Miss McGowan’s. Would you be respectful with her? Take her on proper dates in a respectable location?”

He frowned for a minute. “Would a bar on Bourbon Street count?”  

“Seriously?! That’s where you’d take a woman on a date?”  

He shrugged, “Why not? If they got good music and drinks, isn’t that what women want?”

“I suppose some women might like to do that, but that’s not really a date. That’s more like hanging out hoping to hook up, isn’t it?”  

He looked confused. “Marcus, what’s she talking about?”

Oh, Lord. Dating advice from Marcus. This was about to get ugly.

“Star, my fine young friend, I believe what Miss Charles is trying to say is that respectable women want to be taken out and treated to the finer things in life...Before they give it up.”

The guys started chuckling until they saw my face.

“Is that right, Marcus? And just how many respectable women have you actually dated?”  

He gave me that creepy smile of his that reeked of his imagined sexual prowess. “Probably none. But if I ever tried, I’m sure I wouldn’t have to go out of my way to wine and dine them before they gave me what I wanted.”

I rolled my eyes. Did guys really think that shit worked? Unfortunately, in his case, with those bedroom hazel eyes and that arrogant swagger of his he was probably right. It did absolutely nothing for me. I needed to put him in his place.

“You know, Marcus, I’m sure there are plenty of women out there that are immune to your idea of charm and who prefer a man who respects them and at least pretends to care about other things than getting laid. You might try it sometime. You might find your pool of potential mates to be a little higher on the intelligence scale that way.” I smiled sweetly at him, took a long drag on my ice water and put my glass on the bar firmly.

The other guys sat there eagerly waiting to see how he’d react. He eyed me coolly and said, “You might be right, Miss Charles. But I intend to continue having my fun with the vast number of women who are easily seduced by my charms. It’s not as much of a challenge, true, but it sure beats celibacy.” He winked at the other guys and headed off to go upstairs. That guy sure knew how to make an exit.

“Well, fellas, that was enlightening. Anyone else care to tell me my logic is flawed?”  

None of the other guys dared to speak up and Devon just stared at me with what seemed like appreciation. I wasn’t trying to take sides, but Marcus sure pushed my buttons. I’d have to get past that if I was going to work on him. It was never a good idea to tattoo someone you had negative feelings about. It could really affect your work.

“I’m going to check my messages and take a quick shower. Mage, what time does the movie start?”  

He started grabbing plates off the bar.

“Eight o’clock I believe. I’ll knock on your door when it’s on.”

I started to help grab plates, but he and Devon shooed me away. “We’ve got this, dinner’s our meal. Marcus and Jade have lunch and Star has breakfast. You are our guest, you don’t need to help.”

I shook my head. “No, I’m going to do my share to help, too. Star, I’ll help you with breakfast from now on, ok?”  

He smiled appreciatively.

“Great, thanks Jaylene!” He bounded off up the stairs. “Hey Marcus, care to try to beat me at pool? Notice I said try?” Marcus shouted back, but I wasn’t listening. Devon was taking my plate from me and smiling his half smile.

I took a chance. “Are you joining us for the movie?”  

He shrugged. “I might. I’ve got some things I want to work on but I’ll come up.” I nodded and walked up the stairs closest to my room. I didn’t want to seem like I was coming on strong with him. I am so not good with these situations. This was not exactly the right time to be trying to start something with an obviously wounded man who may or may not be a grieving widower!

It had been an eventful day and I’d learned a lot, but I still knew very little about Margaret, other than she was likely Devon’s wife, and that these guys had a long road ahead of them if they were going to meet their label’s demands.

I got up to the room and found three voicemails. The first was from Sherry:

“Hey Jaylene! I hope your first day went ok. I just thought I’d call and check in with you. I spoke to Marcus earlier and he said you were all settled in. He also said you weren’t taking any of his crap. Good Girl! That I love to hear! Call me if you need me. I’ll actually be coming out there next week to see what kind of progress they’re making with the material for the new album. Talk to you soon!”

Ugh. They were not making much progress at all! I hope they have more than what they had played today!

The next message was from Mackenzie.

“I’m dying for an update! CALL ME!”  

Nice. I’d call her.

“Hi sweetheart. I wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed our time with you. We’re back and tucked in here at home. I also wanted to tell you how proud I am of what you are doing. I wish I had had the guts to live my dreams at your age. Never mind what Shannon says, your father would be very happy for you. He loved you very much, even if you weren’t the daughter he imagined he would have. So you just keep doing what you are doing and have fun! I love you. Good-bye.”

My tears poured soundlessly down my face and my heart hurt so much I crumbled. Too many emotions at once and I was floored. Their visit had threatened to unlock the vise grip I had on my feelings about my father’s death. A few words from my beloved Grandma and I was done.

I don’t know how long I sat there before my phone started buzzing in my hand.

“Why the hell haven’t you called me yet, girl! ? I’m sitting on pins and needles at Pins and Needles ha ha ha. Get it? Hello, Jay? Jay! What’s wrong?”  

I sniffled a little and tried to talk, but she was fired up. “What did they do! ? I’m coming over there right now I’m...”

“Kenz, I’m fine. I just got a voicemail from my Grandma is all.” She was quiet, which let me catch my breath for a minute. “How’s the shop?”

She didn’t answer right away and when she did, her voice was low and full of concern “Today went well. Troy had a couple of walk-ins and Grant came in to get his piece done. He liked your drawing and was cool with Troy doing the work, so it was ok.”

“Thanks, I feel better knowing things went smooth there today.” I walked into the bathroom and grabbed some tissue. The door opened on the other side and Devon’s eyes were wide with surprise and then concern. I waved at him that it was ok and held up a finger to tell him I’d be off soon.

“Mackenzie, I gotta go. Thanks for calling and I promise I’ll call you tomorrow, ok?”  

She protested, but then said good night. I could tell she was worried, but I wasn’t going to go into it. I hung up and turned towards Devon praying my face wasn’t a total disaster, but knowing it probably was.

“Sorry, that was Mackenzie. I’ll get out of here so you can have your privacy.” I turned to leave and Devon grabbed for my shoulder.

He turned me gently to him and said, “You don’t look ok. Did something happen here?”  

I shook my head and reached for another tissue when it felt like the tears were going to spill again.

“No. No, it wasn’t anything. It was just, my Grandma called. I’m ok.” I suddenly didn’t know what to do with my hands and just stood there feeling lost.

He must have sensed something because the pressure from his hand grew stronger until he pulled me into him. Then I was up against his amazing chest and his strong arms were around me. All I could do was tremble. My hands curled up between us and I tried to get control of my tears. He stroked his hand over my hair, which I’d taken down from the ponytail as soon as I came upstairs. I tried taking a few deep breaths before moving to step back.

I didn’t get far, though, because his hold didn’t budge. He reached down with one hand under my chin and tipped my face up to look at him. “What is it, Jaylene?”  

I laughed nervously. “Where do I start? It’s just a grandmother thing?” I sniffled again and he handed me a fresh tissue. Strangely, I didn’t feel embarrassed.

“I promise I’ll be fine. She was sending me some encouragement. It meant a lot to me.” How much to say? “I didn’t get much encouragement growing up so it’s nice to hear her say I’m doing the right thing.”

He pulled me into him again and my sadness was quickly replaced with something much more overwhelming. He was so close and so tall and this moment was getting so heavy. He rested his chin on the top of my head and I just couldn’t take it anymore.

“Devon?”  

“Hmmm,” he replied and I felt the vibration in his chest. Oh boy.

“Just how tall are you? Because this feels strangely like I’m hugging a tree.”

His laugh melted away the rest of my sadness. I don’t know what it was about him that his laugh meant so much. Maybe because I knew it was rare.

“Last time I checked, I was around 6’6,” I think. This is probably the first time I was compared to a tree. I’m not that tall.”

I looked up at him and he laughed again.

“Maybe you’re just shorter than you thought.”

And then realization hit that we were standing in the bathroom in an embrace and while it didn’t seem like either of us wanted to let go, at any minute someone could...

“Hey, D, are you coming to wa...” Star came around the corner from Devon’s room and stopped in the doorway, a shocked look on his face.

My cheeks immediately burned and Devon turned around and pulled me behind him so I could collect myself. Always the gentleman.

“Yeah, I’ll be there in a minute.”

Star left and I felt Devon take a deep breath as I was now pressed against his equally amazing back. He was built lean but was more muscular than I had originally thought. I could see through his thin white t-shirt lettering across his shoulders. It looked like Boudreaux. I swallowed hard and stepped back from him.

He turned around, the concern still etched on his face. “Are you better?”  

I smiled weakly and nodded. “Yes, I am, thank you. Although I’m afraid I may have just made a mess of things.”

He frowned. “You mean Star? Whatever. You were upset.”

I shrugged. “I just don’t want to cause any problems for you. I’m supposed to be here...You know I’m not even sure what I’m supposed to be doing here. But I’m sure the intention wasn’t for me to be holed up in the bathroom crying on your shoulder.”

I stepped over to the sink, splashed my face with cold water, and then dried it off. When I looked up I could see he was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, looking bemused.

“It was my chest you were crying on and I’m certainly not complaining.”

I looked over my shoulder at him and he gave me my favorite smile.

He pushed off from the wall and said, “Movie is starting soon. You going to join us?”  

“I should probably go to bed. I’m not sure I’d be good company right now.”

He frowned again and I was already missing his smile.

“That’s exactly why you need to come out and join us. The guys made popcorn and will probably cry if you don’t. They are already total saps when it comes to you. . And it’s just your first day.” He seemed mildly perturbed at that and I wondered why.

“Total saps? These guys need to get out more. Fine. Let me just take a quick shower and I’ll be out there. Tell them to start without me.”   

“I’ll lock the door this time. I wouldn’t want anyone else coming in here.”

The tone of his voice warmed me to my toes, which I should not have allowed. He was quickly getting under my skin and I couldn’t muster up any desire to have him not be there.

“Thanks. I’ll just be a few minutes.”

I made sure the other door was locked and I took off my clothes. The shower looked a little scary, but it was clean. It took me a minute to figure out how to turn on the showerhead and when I did I was practically blasted out of the tub with the force of the water. I shampooed, conditioned, shaved and exfoliated until my skin was nice and rosy in between the designs inked on it. There was a small cabinet against the wall with lots of big, fluffy towels that felt wonderful against my skin. This place might not be a luxury hotel, but I was already feeling pampered. Little cooking? No cleaning? A nice shower? If the bed was comfy I might not ever leave.

I slathered on some lotion and twisted my wet hair up into a bun. Out of curiosity and against my better judgment, I peeked in the cabinet on the left side of the sink, Devon’s side. Nothing too exciting, some pomade, a razor, deodorant and aftershave. I took a little whiff and found myself feeling his arms around me again. He smelled really good that close. And most guys would freak if they walked in and found a girl crying. They’d make a lame excuse and run out the door. But he didn’t run. He didn’t even hesitate. It was obvious that he had some inkling of how to treat a woman. Either his mom taught him well, his sister, or his wife. Crap. There went that good feeling. I sighed, closed up the little bottle and left the bathroom as I found it.

Back in my room, I put on a sports bra and plain white cotton panties, grabbed an old Led Zeppelin tie-dyed shirt that was roomy and lived-in and threw on a pair of boxers. No sense in being uncomfortable.

I took a minute to text Mackenzie.

I’m really ok, vmail just turned on the waterworks. I had a chest to cry on. Spill more tomorrow. Nite nite luv ya. ’

I knew that would drive her crazy. I was probably a little mean to leave it unexplained, but hey, I was doing what she wanted, right?

I grabbed my sketchbook as I was feeling a little restless and thought it might relax me to draw a bit. I stepped out into the hall and could hear the very beginning of the movie. I hesitated for a minute, was I really up for this? And what if Star had told the others what he walked in on. I shook it off. I could worry about it or I could just get on with my purpose for being here. Helping these guys come up with ideas for memorial tattoos. I walked around to the rumpus room and found the guys sprawled on the couches and beanbags. They were eating popcorn, drinking soda, and calling out the lines to the movie.

Star jumped up when he noticed me.

“Hey, I saved you a spot.” He’d been sitting where the two parts of the sectionals met in the middle and Devon was at the other end. He looked up and smiled as I stepped around him, and Star waited until I was sitting to be my waiter.

“You want some popcorn? Something to drink?” He smiled eagerly and walked over to the mini fridge.

“Um, water’s fine Star, thanks.”

He came back and handed me the bottle. When he sat down, he leaned over and whispered in my ear, “You doin’ ok, chère?”  

I smiled and nodded. “It was a Grandma thing.”

He nodded and patted my knee before going back to the movie. It was a very sweet gesture.

I looked over to Devon and he was giving me a small smile, but this one was different. Maybe I detected a hint of satisfaction in it? Whatever it was, it made me feel a little giddy. I stretched out my legs on the ottoman in front of me- grateful for the hasty pedicure I’d given myself- and alternated between watching the movie and sketching. I had a goofy drawing going of Ash’s girlfriend’s headless dance. That was one of my favorite parts of the movie. That and when he loses it in the house and everything starts laughing at him. Jade walked by on his way back to the bar and stopped to look over my shoulder.

“Oh, that’s awesome! That’s it. I gotta have that. Will you tattoo that on me? Like right now?”  

I looked back at him in shock.

“Really? This? I was just messing around.”

He was dead serious. He pulled up his sweat pants and showed me the back of his calf. He had skulls on the front of his calf with a dagger through them. “How about here? Will that work?”  

Once I got over the shock, I looked at the picture again and then at his leg. I held the sketch to his leg and it was a perfect fit.

“I could make this work here. But let me redraw it. You want black and gray?”  

His smile was ecstatic. “Yeah, and can you put in lettering ‘Swallow Your Soul’ underneath? That would be badass.”

Devon leaned over, concern in his voice. “Jaylene, it’s almost 9:30. Are you sure you want to start this tonight? He can wait until tomorrow. He’s not a little kid.”

I laughed at that and looked at Jade who had a very disappointed-kid-like look on his face.

“Aw, but it’s so cool, Dad! Can’t I just have it tonight, puleeeeezzz?”  

Devon chuckled and I couldn’t resist razzing him a little too.

“Yeah, Dad, can’t he get a tattoo tonight? All the cool kids are doing it!”  

He gently elbowed me in the side. “You’re as bad as he is. Very well, but remember you’ve got homework to do.”

Jade stuck his tongue out at Devon!

“You’re such a buzzkill!” He was hopping from foot to foot. “I can’t help it. That’s how it’s been with all of my other tattoos. I see something, I want it, I have to have it now, so I go get it done.”

Jade had such a boyish quality about him. His bright hazel eyes lit up and dimples showed in both cheeks when he smiled. His face was very expressive. I bet he sucked at poker.

Marcus looked up from his spot half-on and half-off a beanbag on the floor. “Yeah, remember when he made us drive him to a shop three hours away at 7:00 in the freakin’ morning? All because he woke up from a dream about a mermaid and he had to have her tattooed right then so he’d never forget.”

“That’s kind of romantic, Jade. Do you think she represented anyone you knew?”  

Jade blushed such a deep red! “Naw, I just remembered reading about them as a kid and how they supposedly lured sailors to their death with their beauty. After that dream, it just seemed like a good idea. Maybe then I’d be immune to them and could just look at them all day and not succumb to their charms.”

“Or maybe you’re just a psycho who needs to quit getting tattooed.” Marcus threw that last comment over his shoulder and then proceeded to stuff his mouth full of popcorn.

“If you’ve got room, why not get more is what I always say.” I winked at Jade and showed him the revised sketch.