Page 16 of Wild Card
“Hello, can I help you?” The cheery woman behind the reception counter greets me when I step inside. She looks a little unnerved when she notices the cut I’m wearing, but she doesn’t let the fake-ass smile slip from her face.
“I’m here to see Brett,” I tell her, looking around and trying to locate his office door.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Porter is out of the office today. I could make you an appointment.”
“I don’t need an appointment. But I do need his home address.” I rest my elbows on her counter and lean forward.
“I…I’m not at liberty to give that out, sir, and even if I was, you wouldn’t find him there. He’s taken the day off to be with his fiancée,” she informs me, shifting nervously in her chair as she looks up at me.
“His fiancée, huh?” I wanna put my fist through the fuckin’ window at how stupid Ruby’s being. What the fuck is she doing spending time with him after the mess he made of her last night?
“Thanks for your help.” I storm back out onto the street, and since I’m too angry to pay attention to where I’m going, I walkstraight into some girl and knock the box she’s carrying right outta her hands.
“Shit, I’m sorry.” I kneel down on the sidewalk and start helping her pick everything up. “Let me guess. Kids’ entertainer?” I gather the never-ending reel of bunting up into a bunch and dump it back in the box.
“No,” she giggles, “This is just some decor we had left over from the summer fayre. I thought I could use it to decorate the bar. I’m throwing my best friend, Ruby, a surprise engagement party.” She smiles excitedly as she loads more streamers and paper flowers into the box.
“So it’s happening, she’s going along with it.” I shake my head, realizing that I’ve said my thoughts out loud again. I really gotta start taking note when I’m around people.
“You know Ruby?” The girl looks up at me, confused.
“I’m in town on club business, staying at the bar,” I explain, helping her out by lifting up the box.
“I’m Esmé, Ruby’s best friend,” she introduces herself, holding out her hand, and I shift the box onto my hip so I can free up a hand to shake it.
“Best friend, huh? Maybe you’re the one who should have a word with her about that prick she’s marrying.” I snigger, guessing her best friend ain’t aware of what he did to her.
“I would if that prick wasn’t my brother.” She smiles back at me, cleverly.
“Your brother?” I narrow my eyes. The girl standing in front of me seems nice; it’s hard to believe they’re related.
“And trust me, I’ve told that girl a thousand times that she could do better, but what can I say…? Good sister-in-laws are hard to find.”
I can tell by this girl’s tone that she has no idea what went down last night, and for the sake of getting information, I decide to play along.
“So, you're fixing this up while they’re out?” I start heading across the street toward the bar, carrying the box for her. “They gone anywhere nice?”
“Brett's taken her to the house,” she whispers as if she’s divulging a government-classified fuckin’ secret.
“What house?” I lower my tone to match hers.
“Their house. Brett’s been having it built for months. I don’t know how I’ve managed to keep it a secret from her, but I’m sure glad I won’t have to anymore.” She takes the box outta my hands when we get to the door, and I’m surprised when she pulls out a key from her back pocket.
“You work here, too?” I question her.
“No, silly. Earl gave me the keys so I could set up; he’s out of town. Tells everyone he has an appointment, but we all know he’s got a lady friend. Ain’t no secrets in this town.”
I find it hard to believe that Earl would be okay with all this. Anyone can see he cares for Ruby, and he knew what had happened when he saw her this morning.
“Wait, wasn’t Ruby supposed to be covering for him?” I suddenly remember the conversation we had over breakfast.
“My brother can be very persuasive. He spoke to Earl and offered to pay him his losses so Ruby could take the day off, and I could get this place looking all pretty.” She places the box on one of the tables.
“You're tall. I could use your help.” She sizes me up and smiles.
“This house, where is it?” I ask, needing to find Ruby and talk some fuckin’ sense into her head. I can’t remember a time in my life when I’ve ever cared so much about someone I hardly know. I can’t remember, cause it ain’t ever fuckin’ happened.
“Oh, it’s beautiful. It’s out where the old Donaldson ranch used to be; it’s got one of the best views in town. The sunsets aregonna be beautiful.” She goes into that dreamy state females get in, and I quickly snap her out of it.
