Page 34 of Dare to Dance
“It’s pouring out, so the girls and I ducked into an all-night diner a block from here until the rain let up. But when I saw the blue lights speeding down the street, I bolted.”
“Did you see Ruby in there?” Norma asked.
“No,” Kody said.
Pete and Tommy were talking to Roy.
I rubbed my ear. I shouldn’t have let my anger get in the way. I should’ve walked out the moment Pete told me to. I couldn’t get arrested. Jay would have a coronary.
Roy headed our way. “Sir,” Roy said to me, “it’s time to call it a night.” It was hard to discern any features of cops with all the gear they wore, although Roy sported a mustache and had fine lines fanning out from his hazel eyes.
I darted my gaze to Pete and Tommy, who were watching me while the other cop guided people to the door. Pete subtly flicked me the middle finger as he combed his beard.
I narrowed my eyes and took one step toward Pete. The fucker was itching for another fight. “If you want to fight, meet me at Crandall’s Gym,” I said loudly.
Roy tossed a quick glance over his shoulder.
“Come on, Bro,” Kody said. “Another day.”
“I’m not leaving yet.”
Roy grabbed my arm. “Yes, you are.”
“Look, I want to say something to my friend. Then I’ll leave.” I switched my gaze between his hand on my arm and Norma.
She shook her head and mouthed, “just go.”
“One minute. Please,” I said nicely to the officer.
Roy nodded. “Make it fast.”
I snagged a used napkin from Norma’s tray and wrote down my cell number. “Have Ruby call me when she’s ready to talk.” I had to take a step back and clear my head. I couldn’t keep stalking her or fighting for no reason. I had my boxing career to think about. Plus, Norma’s little speech had some truth to it. The more I forced Ruby to talk, the more I pushed her away.
She smiled sadly as she pocketed the napkin.
Roy escorted Kody and me out of the building. “The owner doesn’t want you in his club anymore. If you do show yourself, he’ll press charges.”
I wasn’t about to argue. I would deal with Tommy and Pete another day. For the moment, I had to work out another angle to break the ice with Ruby.
10
Ruby
Aloud shriekpenetrated through my subconscious. Then claws were digging into my hand. I sat up to find a black-and-white cat on me. The beginning of daylight spilled in through the shattered windows of the abandoned warehouse. Then as the world around me crystallized, I shot to my feet. The cat screeched as it jumped off. I checked my trusty Timex. Norma! I’d told her I was going to get a coffee at the diner, but that was at one a.m. It was now five thirty in the morning. She was probably worried out of her mind. Not to mention, I had promised Kross that we would talk.
I ran out of the warehouse, hopped four steps, then took off down the alley. I’d had every intention of sitting in a booth at the diner until Norma got off work. But when I had seen Kody in there with Kross’s girlfriend, I kept walking, enjoying the night, the light rain, and the feeling of space. However, when the rain had gotten heavier, I’d turned into an alley to seek shelter for a brief moment. But the rain had kept pouring down. I could’ve sucked it up and faced the rain. I had many times before when sleeping on the streets. But I’d wanted a quiet moment away from the loud music and the pressure of Kross’s stare. I was also tired from being on my feet all night. Still, I envisioned Norma calling the cops.
The cat was perched on top of a burnt car that sat up on blocks on the main street. The wind picked up, and with it, a scent of fish, no doubt from the Boston Harbor in the distance. I bundled my wool coat, secured the yellow scarf the ten-year-old girl had given me, and started for Alex’s place. I doubted Kross was waiting around Firefly since it was closed. I owed him a visit. Maybe he would be at his gym later that morning. The cat snuck up on me, meowing. Poor thing was probably hungry.
“I am too, buddy. If you follow me, I’ll buy you a bowl of milk.”
My mouth watered just thinking about the bakery below Alex’s apartment. They had the most amazing glazed donuts. I rummaged around in my pockets and pulled out a wad of dollar bills. I sniffed the money as though it was a delicacy. At least I could buy myself breakfast this morning, thanks to the club customers who had tipped me. I couldn’t remember the last time I had this much money on me. I could, however, recall all the money my mom had had. Other than selling drugs, she’d also been responsible for collecting the drug money and flubbing the books for the head boss of the drug ring. The man who was my dad’s best friend. The man who was responsible for sucking my mother into the underworld of drugs. The same man who was in jail with my parents.
The cat snuck down another alley. He probably detected a rat or a mouse. Better for me since I was mildly allergic to cats.
I began to jog. As my feet pounded the pavement, the events of the previous night ran with me. Customers had screamed for their drinks. The loud music blared in my ears, causing my head to hurt. Tommy kept checking on me, although I suspect he was making sure Kross wasn’t drumming up trouble. Most of all, I swore I could feel Kross’s piercing gaze burning through my back. All of that contributed to me spilling drinks on customers, not to mention, the pile of drinks I’d dropped when I crashed into Kross. He was everywhere. Even when he stepped outside, he was still with me, maybe because Kody stood watch for him. I tried to avoid Kody, but I had to serve a table close to him. He was insistent on talking. He kept asking if I would talk to Kross. Finally, after his last plea, I said I would. At least that had been my goal until I remembered how angry I was at Kross for the past and for threatening me with the cops and the APB.
When I reached the bakery, I debated whether to get breakfast or wake up Norma and Alex, although I doubted Norma would be sleeping. She never slept through the night when we were on the streets. She’d always been afraid of someone attacking us or stealing from us.
