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Glad to be at Fallen Bytes, Jeuley sat down at a table for four and ordered a pitcher of Red Dandelion to start. Anything heavier than that might turn her stomach. It was still early, but that wasn’t stopping her from decompressing. Anything to just be away from Le Rouge and that smarmy creature.
A simple cup of tea was much more appealing than going home and pondering Orrick Laverock. At least here, the scenery was more conducive to visual distraction. And no one had a lisp so bad that he sounded like he wasn’t speaking a known language. A little lisp on a guy could make him cute, but a whole lot of lisp had made Orrick virtually unintelligible. And bottom line, there was nothing good about Orrick that could possibly make her willing to put her freedom on the line in order to work with him.
When Jeuley’s tea arrived, she didn’t waste a moment before pouring. It tasted better to work through the brew during the course of the hour. From light and pleasant to dark and with a punch like jet fuel, it both mellowed and lit her up. Just the reset she’d need before meeting with Brad.
“This seat taken yet?” Danny Idesley sat down and put a teacup on the table, rocking her out of reverie. Excitement shone in his eyes.
How do I answer that without giving the wrong impression? In absolute shock, she scrutinized the man. He’d tied his long hair back away from his brilliant blue eyes and surprisingly had on a button-up shirt. He almost looked…good. Almost. If he weren’t Danny Idesley, she might’ve allowed him a chance at a decent pick-up line. Whoa hold on a second, Ordal’s garlic stench must have rotted her brain.
Jeuley gulped down about half of her tea and set the cup on the table as she struggled for something to say. “What are you doing here so early?”
“May I?” He pointed to the pitcher of tea.
“Yeah.” So much for making the brew last an hour. She pushed her cup toward his as he picked up the pitcher. “As long as you tell me why you’re here so early.”
He paused as though gathering his wits and then refreshed her cup before filling his. “I wanted to make sure I wasn’t late. First time seeing you guys since high school and all.” Danny didn’t look up from pouring and she couldn’t help but wonder if he had something else up his sleeve or maybe he was instructed to be early. It wasn’t like the guy was always on time even for art class.
As far as Jeuley could remember, demerits, detentions and detours had ruled the relationship between Ms. Martin and Danny Idesley that entire semester. It was a wonder that she’d even had enough to grade him on when she detoured him out of class probably two days of every three it seemed. Then again, considering the quality of his work during the single day each week–when he actually attended class on time and didn’t mouth off–it’s no wonder he remained in the top percentile.
And when the most talented student in the class also brought in the modern version of an apple for his teacher every week, how could she really complain? Sculptures of godlike men made out of various materials were something Mrs. Martin had always enjoyed. By the time Danny graduated, she’d had a huge collection. Maybe that was the kind of reason why Brad and him had been friends. Perhaps what Danny lacked in social skills, he made up for in personal skills.
Looking for something to say, Jeuley watched him gracefully set the pitcher down, pick up his cup, bring it close to his face and sniff. At least her company was getting better. From Orrick to Danny was definitely a step up, just not necessarily very far. Still, beggars couldn’t be choosers.
Danny rubbed his finger over a scratch in the table and then slid the pitcher over it. “I thought you had some kind of a date or something before you were meeting me and Brad.”
Don’t go there. “Whose idea was it to message me last night?”
“Why do you wanna know?” Danny toyed with his teacup before his cerulean eyes met hers. “If I told you, would it really matter? Would it really make a difference if I messaged you first or if Brad did?”
“Did I just walk into some kind of ambush here? It’s one thing after another tonight. I never liked you in high school and I don’t see myself liking you any more now. I think I was scarred for life after all those dirty notes and stuff you used to beam out.”
“You still remember those?”
“Duh. Those sex position diagrams didn’t leave much to the imagination. And I was still a virgin back then.” Did I really just say that?
Danny chuckled. “As Mrs. Martin said, they were art. We studied nudes.”
“Okay, okay. I guess so, but I didn’t come here to talk about art sex with you.”
“You wanna have real sex? Let me turn on my Blue Root.” Danny pushed up his sleeve and tapped his controller. He was probably only joking.
“Danny, please, no… And not just no, but hell no. Leave me alone until Brad gets here.” Before my ick-quota is completely full for the evening?
“Sorry. I was just kidding. I didn’t mean to piss you off. Y’know, why don’t you give Brad a call? I know he wants to talk to you real bad. Call him and tell him you’re already here. He only lives a couple doors down and I know he’s home. Get him over here. Rachel can get here whenever.”
“Anything to rescue me from you, Danny.” Pulling her handheld from her purse, Jeuley pushed her cup aside.
Danny leaned toward her. “You don’t have to pretend to get along with me. It’s okay. But Rachel is coming, though, right? You invited her, huh?” He paused as though waiting for her reply. Jeuley didn’t even glance up as he continued. “Okay. I came early because I was passing by and saw you in here. I wanted to talk to you about her.”
That was decidedly an attention getter. But Jeuley still didn’t look up. “Then why didn’t you just say that in the first place?”
“I was afraid I’d look like a stalker or something.” Danny poured himself another cup of tea. “I’m not gonna start singing like a love-struck canary about how much I’ve missed her since high school and how she shaped the path of my life ’cause that’s not all of it. She just shows up in my head at the most inopportune times. Like when I’m trying to fabricate a new wheel well for an old AMC or something. She pops into my head and I lose total concentration and it’s not like you can even get parts for cars like that anymore, but I can build them myself as long as she’s not in my head–”
“You were right Danny. You might wanna shut up now because you really are starting to sound like a stalker. Or at least someone very strange and maybe dangerous. Promise me right now that when she gets here, you won’t murder her or anything. If she’s harmed in any way because I told her to come here, I will have you arrested and thrown in the clink. Ever been in an oubliette?”
“Hey, whoa, whoa…”
“Look, she doesn’t even know you’re here tonight and the more I’m thinking about it, the more I want to call her and tell her not to come.” Jeuley brought up her email program and was about ready to start typing. Rachel was online and it might be easier to send a short message.
“Wait. Please. I’m sorry. Really. I just have something of hers and I want to give it back in person. That’s all. I promise.” Danny had leaned over far enough that Jeuley was worried he could see Rachel’s email address on her screen so she killed the readout.
As she looked up into Danny’s eyes again, she was surprised to see that he wasn’t as freaky as he was in high school. He actually looked like he cared. Like he genuinely did want to see Rachel for some big huge reason.
Jeuley put her handheld back in her purse. “Okay, then. Just don’t get upset if she takes one look at you and bolts. I mean, I can’t even believe I’m here to see Brad. My cringe factor is heading through the roof today.”
Danny laughed. “I’ve had a few days like that myself.”
The two of them shared another pitcher of tea and got caught up. Danny still sculpted and built things. He worked with his dad on automobiles, sometimes he created models and such for vid work, and the rest of the time, he bought and sold junk to make ends meet. The man looked and acted the same as he had in high school. But maybe one thing in him had changed after all. Perhaps he was more cynical and maybe a bit wiser underneath it all. Still unmotivated, but also still loyal to Brad.
Every time Jeuley tried to squeeze out a good tidbit about Brad, Danny sidestepped. All she wanted to find out was which angle she should go for when trying to weasel some decent money out of the media delivery king.
Whenever Danny tried to get a good morsel of information about Rachel, Jeuley sidestepped as well. Their game was somewhat complex, but more of a friendly competition than anything. Jeuley found it difficult to hate someone as clever, but honest as Danny Idesley.
“Hey guys, glad you could come.” Brad walked up and sat down next to Jeuley, stealing her breath away with a smile as he continued. “You look great tonight. I hope you didn’t get all dressed up for this, though. This is strictly informal.”
Holy wow. Jeuley swallowed hard. Being so close to Brad somehow made her temperature rise, igniting a fire low in her belly and percolating outward. It was as though he got better looking every time she saw him. His almost-twinkling grin… His broad shoulders begging her to hang on them…
Oh no. It was happening again. Visions of him caressing her, running his fingers along her arm, across her shoulder and down to cup her breast, flashed in her mind’s eye. More of the same images she’d used when writing Carnal Bacchanal. Dammit. She forced herself back to reality by thinking about how much trouble she could get into if she got caught making money from hacking.
Bango! Instant reality check, however, the reply on the tip of her tongue slipped away, leaving her hiding behind a smile. Hopefully he wouldn’t notice that she was a complete and utter buffoon.
“Let me get another pitcher. Blue Hippo’s sounding good. How about you, Danny?” Brad reached into his pocket for his purchase card.
She forced herself to say something, anything. “No, wait. It’s on me. I’ll get it. It’s my fault we had to meet a second time. It’s the least I can do.” She looked at him pleadingly. Turning back time was impossible, but at least she could attempt to make amends. Jeuley grabbed her purse and searched out her purchase card. “I insist.”
“Okay, as long as I can get the next one.” He smiled…and it seemed her whole world lit up…again. Where is this sappiness coming from? It’s not helping your objective.
“Sounds great.” Jeuley summoned a server and placed her order. She found it odd that the waitress looked at Danny as though he was a leper.
“Hey, Danny, wasn’t that the girl you met last night?” Brad pulled his chair closer to the table.
Danny leaned back and shook his head. “Yeah. Maya. She emailed me today, but then she blew me off when I replied. Apparently her Blue Root is set to keep away other units that have partnered with more than forty other units.”
“You’ve hooked up more than forty times?” Brad and Jeuley spoke in unison.
“Great minds think alike don’t they, huh?” Danny nodded at Brad and then turned to Jeuley. “I’ll bet you never would’ve imagined that I’ve hooked up at all, huh? But I’m the one who gave Brad a Blue Root. I figured he’d geek on it.”
Brad and Jeuley turned toward each other. She shook her head and grinned mischievously. Did he have any idea the thoughts going through her head? Geeking on the Blue Root with Brad. How yummy.
He looked somewhat stunned or perhaps shy. In any case, she didn’t think she’d run away from him tonight. No way. There was much to be done provided her mind got back on target…or at least ease the ache in her body. The relentless thrumming wasn’t helping matters.
Brad slid his cup from hand to hand across the table. “We’re not here to discuss the Blue Root tonight, though. I just figured we’d get caught up. And if you want to, you can take Rachel for a ride in my FMC 429. Just like old times, except the car is nicer.”
Danny made a face. “Dickhead. I don’t need your car to pick up chicks.”
“Not anymore?” With a bewildered expression on her face, Rachel stormed toward the table. “I thought you were in jail or something. What are you doing here?”
Jeuley almost felt guilty for setting up Rachel, but it wasn’t like Raych was running away, so perhaps the surprise was worth it after all. Hell, Rachel kind of looked glad to see Danny. There weren’t any screaming girly hugs, but she didn’t look miffed about being set up.
But Danny, well, he nearly fell out of his chair. “Holy shit! Rachel…you, uh…you look great. Wow.” He shot up and nearly knocked the table over. Brad steadied all the tea things as Danny fumbled. “Ummm…have a seat. Take my seat, actually. We’ve got some more tea coming and I’m glad you could make it. Thanks for showing up.”
Rachel raised one eyebrow and gave him a much-deserved odd look. “You’re welcome. Ummm… Good to see you.” She looked at Jeuley with a “rescue me” look in her eyes as Danny seated her.
Jeuley wasted no time. “Hey, Danny, while you’re up, why don’t you go ask about that Blue Hippo we ordered forever ago?”
Still bewildered, he nodded and walked toward the bar. Jeuley looked back at Rachel, but Brad spoke first. “You have to forgive him. He’s been dying to see you.”
“Yeah, I guess so.” Rachel set her purse down under her chair. “He still looks the same. But you don’t. Quite an improvement, I might add.”
Jeuley shot her a warning look. Years ago, it wouldn’t have been an issue. Brad probably hadn’t lost his virginity in high school. But now that Jeuley had concrete, Blue Root proof that Brad had been properly enlightened about sex, it was more important than ever to keep Rachel from doing what she did best with men…enticing them.
Besides, Jeuley wanted to keep Brad for herself. Wait. That sounded wrong. She needed to keep his attention so that she could work out the best possible deal in order not to get stuck working for Orrick at BlueCentric. Yeah, that sounded better…or at least more accurate.
Brad raised his eyebrows. “Thank you, Rachel. I must say, you’ve improved as well.”
“Thanks.” Rachel nodded, then her gaze nearly bore a hole through Jeuley. “I need to freshen up a little bit. Let’s go to the womens quarter.” The hint was obvious.
Jeuley looked at Brad as she stood along with Rachel. “If Danny brings the tea while we’re gone, just go ahead and pour, we’ll be right back.”
He waved and as the women walked toward ladies quarter, Danny headed toward Brad empty handed. Hopefully, Fallen Bytes wasn’t refusing to serve him because of whatever transpired between him and that one server.
“Jeuley, you totally set me up. Why didn’t you tell me they were going to be here? Especially Danny?” Rachel strode so quickly that Jeuley had to take bigger steps in order to keep up.
“Hey, you saw him as soon as you walked in. You could’ve walked away if you didn’t want to talk to him. I’d've understood.” Jeuley followed Rachel into the ladies quarter. “I can’t stand this any longer. Did you really fuck Danny in high school…and like it?”
“No matter what he told you, nothing happened.”
“Sure, boys lie. I bet he rocked your world ’cause you need some white powder to cover up all that embarrassment.” Jeuley handed over her compact as the women stood at the mirror. “Pass me your mascara before you run out of here in denial of your steamy sordid past that I know almost everything about except your romp with Danny Idesley.”
Rachel took the compact, opened it and started dabbing at the powder. “I didn’t bring my mascara tonight. I thought it was a girl’s night. If I’d've known about Danny, I might have brought a few things.”
Jeuley grinned. Did Raych really think she was fooling anyone? “I need to talk business with Brad. Do you think you can entertain Danny for a little while?”
Rachel looked a little offended, but her act was transparent. She pulled a lipliner and eyeshadow from her purse. “I don’t know. I was hoping maybe you could take Danny and I could see if Brad would pick up where he left off on make-out mountain over a decade ago.”
“What?!” Retrieving the defining pencil she’d suddenly dropped, Jeuley grimaced and then shot back up. “Rachel, you have to be kidding me.”
“I am.” She tinted her eyelids green. “You think he’s hot, too, don’t you?”
“That’s beside the point. I mean, yeah, but dammit, I need to score some money here. You’re the one who pushed me into this stuff. Besides, Danny really wants to talk to you. He says he wants to give back your azalea.”
Rachel’s jaw dropped. “You’re kidding me. Please tell me you’re just really reaching for a way to get me to take him off your hands. Earlier you said he had it. Now he wants to give it back?”
“I know you wanna talk to him, Raych. I’ll let you tell me the under-the-bleachers story sometime later, if you bail me out tonight.”
Rachel sighed. “Okay. But only because you’re my best friend. I’ll see what I can do, but if he continues to be a slobbering weirdo who can’t even fabricate a complete sentence, I’m gonna have to back out. Deal?”
“Deal. And thank you, Raych. We’ll do a celebration dinner when all of everything is taken care of, okay?”
“Sure. I’ll tell you the bleachers story then, okay?”
“Double deal.” Jeuley helped Rachel pack up her cosmetics before heading out of the ladies quarter.
