Monday morning snuck up on Gavin Reese. His slumber troubled by the ladies in his building. Two women he had grown fond of were bruised up. A third he could only envision being roughed up, having not seen actual proof. He knew he should mind his own business but he felt obligated to defend these women. In a sense he was the man of the house. Being the only male in the building. Having tossed and turned since 5:00 AM, he got up and made some instant coffee. All he had was a pan of hot water to make a harsh reality. Black certainly opened his eyes. Having done a bit of grocery shopping last night, after having dinner with Ginger and the girls from the band Milkbone, he at least managed eggs and bacon. Eying the tacos in his refrigerator, having gone untouched since Isabella's benefactor Blake Stavros shoved them at him, his concern that the prick might have spit on them, he left them sit. A reminder that he needed to leave Isabella alone as well.
Out of the frying pan onto his only full plate, Gnarly filled his belly. At least he had a toaster to make toast, if not forgetting the butter. Egg yolks saved the day. Uncertain what to do next he decided to take a hot shower. Within the steams mesmerizing effects, he recalls his bathing with both Isabella, and his landlady Naomi. His first few days in Chicago was filled with eventful meetings. Everywhere he turned there was a new beautiful woman in his sights. While lust and damn good sex was keeping him busy, his need to play his guitar on a stage had an equal desire. He knew he was on the right track accepting Ginger's job offer of being Milkbone's roadie, driver, and bodyguard. Being in the field would undoubtedly invite new connections. His day was coming, even if it was a day at a time.
Pondering on Crystal Balou's predicament, he recalled her job at the nightclub Barbarians. Maybe he should check it out on his own, without Crystal to make introductions. Her not being there he might learn a few things concerning her and this Cop that was stalking her. Of course, dealing with an elusive Officer of the law might put him in hot water. Speaking of, his water was getting cold. A chill breaking his trance.
Drying off he wraps a towel around his waste. Killing thirty more minutes he found himself going stir crazy. Getting dressed he decides to get some fresh air. Sun just coming up he heads out the back door, shades atop wet hair. Inhaling the morning, he steps over to his Harley and tinkers a bit, checking oil, and plugs. Moving then to his Jeep to do the same. Satisfied things were good, he drops the hood and rests his back against the grill. More soul searching crept over him like a devious fog.
Thoughts on the loan officer at his bank, the drop dead gorgeous Edie Mooney, he realizes he should call her, and ask her out. Funds low however, he frowned at not being able to offer her much of a date. He didn't want his first real date in Chicago to go down as him being a cheap bastard. Sadly, his first few checks were already spoken for. The record store was part time and parking alone was going to eat that paper. Ginger had given him his first $400.00 as an advance on Milkbone's Naperville gig. After buying groceries and Vicki Chow a new bicycle he was back to being broke. At least helping Naomi Carpenter fix up the vacant apartment's he might catch a break on his next rent payment. Still, he owed her for buying him home furnishings. Maybe not.
"Well hell."
Eying his Harley he again considered using it as collateral for a reasonable personal loan. Shaking his head with his eyes lowered he realized that alone was a red flag for Edie Mooney to know he was broke as broke got. Out of the question he sighed. He wasn't selling it either. That bike had history. Maybe Pinky's hat on the curb idea had merit. Starving artist on a street corner whoring out his guitar strings. Could be worse. Sad thing was, looking for a third job was going to interfere with the band. He couldn't just dictate his schedule to an employer.
"Someone steal your hairbrush?"
Looking up from his depression Gnarly spots his neighbor Regina stretching for a morning run. The African American beauty wearing tight black leggings and a grey sports bra. She eyed him with concern.
"Morning." He managed.
"Why you moping while your guitar gently weeps?" She smiles.
"Just realizing my life's in gridlock. I'll figure it out. You got a minute?"
"Sweetie it's gonna take more than a minute to satisfy me." She flirts wryly.
"I'm worried about the girls. I ran into that Blake guy last night. Threatened me, telling me to stay away from Isabella. We're just friends, unless you wanna call her my housekeeper." He sighs. "Looks like a mobster."
"Might just be one. He works at the DA's office. Consultant I hear. Daddy's spoiled little rich kid."
"Great! Crystal walked in on our testosterone fest. She's all bruised up." He admits.
"Awww hell." Regina moves closer leaning on his Jeep's drivers side fender well, arms folded against the early morning chill. The nipples were wide awake.
"How much do you know about Crystal's social life?"
"You getting all fuzzy inside on our girl?"
"Just concerned. Badboy lookin' out for the good girls. You included should you ever need me Reg."
"I'll keep that in mind Biker boy." She winks at him. "Crystal keeps to herself mostly. Either driving folks around, or pouring drinks for party animals."
"I think one of those animals tried to maul her last night. Know so actually."
"Not good. She tell you this?"
"Probably shouldn't be telling you this. Not my business. Yours neither."
"That's not true. We're a family here. One of us gets hurt, we all hurt. Fill me in concerned citizen."
"Bouncer from Barbarians. He's also a fulltime Cop."
"Daaaamn! Cops around here stick together. If she's in trouble it's probably going to get worse."
"Right! So how do I help her?"
Shrugging after a moment of thought on the matter Regina reveals their only option. "Be supportive as best we can. I won't let on you told me about this. I'll keep my eyes open and if I see her needy, I'll slip under her radar. I know that's not much help but, for now that's all we have to work with. Live your own life Guitar Man. Don't sing everyone elses blues."
"What about Isabella? Someone should check on her. She could be hurt and hiding it. Blake reminds me of the abusive type."
"Her being here in the states illegally doesn't help."
"Wait! Izzy told me she had a green card."
"Not true. She's playing it safe, until she knows you better. This Blake guy keeps her here, pays her bills, feeds her. Better life than what she had in Colombia. If not bordering on slavery." She rolls her eyes, "We all know how that nasty bit of history went."
"For what it's worth the only cotton I own are T-shirts." He grins at her like the devil.
"Burn 'em like a rebel flag." She sneers playfully. "I knew that country boy feel, painted you into a barn."
"Bored off my ass right now. Mind if I join you on a jog?"
"Wearing that get up?" Regina sizes up his boots and jeans. "I'm doing five miles. Gonna keep up or start wheezin' just around the corner?"
"Guess we'll find out. Run around the block while I get changed." He grits his teeth suddenly. "My tennis shoes are by Vicki's door. Give me two laps around the block."
"Hurry it up, Sweet Homie Alabama."
"Iowa. More into Slipknot." He chuckles, leaving her with a pat on the shoulder.
Running in step until he entered the back door, Regina shakes her head once, thinking to herself, "Mmm mmm! Might have to reconsider givin' the boy a run for his money. Lil' rough around the edges, but he's got promise." She had no clue who the band Slipknot even was, presuming he was gonna trip over untied shoelaces.
Changing swiftly he puts on a pair of knee high black shorts, a gold and black University of Iowa t-shirt, and thicker socks. Pinning his hair back into a tail he leaves his keys, wallet, and cell behind on the dinette table. Taking only his ID and a $10 bill should he need it. He wasn't worried about anyone entering his apartment, not even Isabella, now that she had been banned from interacting with him by Blake.
Heading upstairs to the third floor, with his boots in hand, he discovers the new bicycle in the same position as it was. Putting on his tennis shoes, he replaces them with his boots so that Vicki knew he wasn't abandoning her. It was a respect thing he wanted to establish. He didn't know a lot about Chinese culture but he did know that respect was important. He had already concluded that she wanted more from life than her upbringing had instilled. Her desires evident if not fully realized. Shyness kept her grounded, yet on occasion she would test herself. Like yesterday after her bike accident. Letting him see her in her underwear while Heather Norton tended to her wounds. Nothing more, other than studying his reaction. Respect won out. Sighing at her door, he heads back down.
Reaching the first floor, he turns from the staircase toward the back door entrance when he hears a door open. Looking over his shoulder he discovers a face, and body, he hadn't seen before. Out of her apartment stepped Julia Lowe. He had to pause in step, considering her attire, and her cranky tone. She was mumbling aggressively, as she tip toed on bare feet from her door.
The redhead, with flawless milky white skin stood at 5'7, 135 pounds. Busty, but not overpowering at a 38C, sensually hidden behind a lime colored camisole. Tattoos of colorful butterflies, resting on thorny vines, trail from upper back, down her arms to wrap around her biceps. A few more larger tattoos of monarchs had lit upon both hips in a perfect arrangement. Tastefully ornate and seductive. Nipples peaking at the morning chill. Her lower half covered by a turquoise colored pair of boy shorts, that clung to her ass like they were painted on. Hair long and curly, as if Disney's Merida. Barefoot, she marches out without any concern of being seen in her undies. Stepping to Naomi's door she knocks, awaiting her landlady to rise. Immediately, he connected her appearance with actress Ashley Greene from the Twilight movies. Yeah, Gavin had suffered through those in his younger days, thanks to an old girlfriend. Even after a harsh workout earlier, Gavin's body realized this woman's sensuality. Her scent didn't help, it was like lavender in passing.
"Might still be asleep." Gnarly makes his presence known.
Darting her gaze toward the unexpected voice Julia smirks, "The neighbor stud I heard about, I presume?"
He lowers his chin while rubbing the back of his neck, "Now who might be saying things like that?"
Julia knocks a second time, frowning at impatience. Agitated she leans against the wall next to Naomi's door with folded arms. Facing Gnarly she sizes him up from head to toe. "Everyone. I can see why panties are drippin'."
With a pucker he nods, "Nice to know I have fans. Everything alright?"
"Toilet's leaking all over. I put towels down, but I don't want to let it go and ruin Naomi's floor."
"Bad seal probably. You shut the water flow off behind the toilet?"
