Nothing Special 03 - Here Comes Trouble (9 page)

“Have fun Curtis. Just make sure you behave, okay. Call if you need us,” Green said as Curtis climbed down from his truck. They’d played catch in the park for over an hour and then watched the recreation league play a game before they headed back home.

“Will do. We’re watching the game tomorrow?”

“Yeah. We got some work to do early but we’ll swing by and pick you up after,” Ruxs said.

“Cool. I’ll be back from the hospital by three-ish.” Curtis took a few steps towards his house and turned to add, “What are we having with the game tomorrow night?”

Ruxs grinned and looked over at Green. “He’s talking to you, not me.”

Green rolled his eyes. “Nachos.”

Curtis jumped and whooped in the air. “With the spicy con queso?”

“Sure, bud.” Green shook his head, smiling.

Curtis grinned broadly and ran the rest of the way up his small driveway to the home that he’d once lived in with his mother. Now he lived there alone.

“You spoil him,” Ruxs said as Green pulled off from the curb.

“Do not.” Green looked over at him. “It’s just nachos. How the fuck is that spoiling him?”

“It’s not just nachos and you know it.”

“The kid’s had it rough, dude. He deserves as much happiness as he can get.”

“I understand. But he needs to be a man too. You have to stop babying him. He’s seventeen. He’ll be going off to college next year. He’ll be so used to us helping him with everything; he won’t be able to do for himself.” Ruxs yanked his coat from the back seat, digging in the pocket for his sunglasses. “If you give a hungry man a fish, he’ll eat for a day, but if you teach him how to fish, he’ll never go hungry again.”

Ruxs snapped his head around when Green laughed so hard it made his ears ring. “What the fuck are you talkin’ about, and when the hell did you get so philosophical? Jesus. You sound ridiculous. Curtis has been caring for himself and his mom since he was thirteen for shit’s sake. You really think he couldn’t make it on his own in college without my nachos and cinnamon buns?”

Ruxs didn’t say anything else because he noticed now that Green was dropping him off at his own apartment.
Fuck. His date
. Green was going out on a date tonight. Ruxs had actually forgotten about it, and now it was bitch smacking him in the face. He glanced a look over at the man beside him.
Damn
.
Has he always been that fuckin’ beautiful?
Wayward, jet-black hair. Tousled like he couldn’t be bothered with it. Long enough to pull and control him with. His eyes were just as dark as the long lashes that closed over them. Strong jaw line, covered with stubble that extended down his throat.
Jesus
. Ruxs wanted to lean over and bury his nose in the crook of his neck and get lost in that intoxicating scent that Green was now so fond of, but completely oblivious to how much it turned him the fuck on. Surely this woman going out with him tonight was going to work overtime to make Green her future husband. Ruxs had no doubt in his mind that his chance was officially over before it’d even begun. 

He coughed hard trying to loosen the ache in his chest. It felt like someone had lassoed his heart and was pulling it through his rib cage. Not only was his chance shot to hell before he even took it, but it now meant that Green would most likely have a girlfriend very soon and he’d have very little time for him. He knew it was too early to think like that, the man hadn’t even had one date yet. But Green was so wonderful; strong, and a brilliant detective. As much as he hated to admit it the woman he was going out with was smart and beautiful too. There really was no reason for them not to hit it off. He coughed hard again. Ruxs put his shaking fist to his mouth, trying desperately to play off the almost panic attack he was having.

“You alright man?” Green swatted him hard on his back. “What happen, you swallow wrong or something?”

“Um. Yeah.” Ruxs ground out. He saw that they were pulling up to the curb in front of his complex. Damn the place was a piece of shit. He didn’t even want to go in. He hadn’t been there in almost two weeks; it was probably rank in there. Dark and quiet. He felt like throwing a hissy fit right there in the truck.
Go out with me not her! She doesn’t care about you! I do. Can’t you see that! I’m crazy about you! I fuckin’ love you!
Oh yeah, he was about to lose it. Green came to a stop and Ruxs had the door open before Green could shift the gear into park.

“So. I’ll pick —”

Ruxs slammed the door shut – cutting off whatever Green was saying – and hurried up to his place without looking back. He shakily got the key in the door and shouldered it open, quickly slamming it behind him. He said a silent plea that Green wouldn’t come after him to see what the hell was up. He heard the diesel engine of the Ram truck rev up and fade away. He was glad Green didn’t chase him; and then of course a part of him was hurt he didn’t. He flicked the light switch. Nothing. He flicked it off and on again. Nothing.
Fuck
. Realizing his goddamn electricity was off; he pressed his back to the door and slid down to the floor, dropping his face in his hands. His eyes finally adjusted to the darkness and he looked around his place. One loveseat in front of a forty-two-inch television. A pretty cool sound system that he was actually surprised hadn’t been stolen yet sat in the corner. His kitchen was separated by a little breakfast bar that was scattered with unopened mail. His electric bill probably buried somewhere in the pile. He was sure he had some beer in the fridge, but warm Bud Light didn’t appeal to him at the moment.

He sat there for another ten or fifteen minutes, getting more and more pissed as he replayed Green fucking a beautiful brunette all night long while he sat home alone in the dark.
Fuck that
. Picking up his phone he typed in a text message. He’d ask his good friend to hang out with him tonight. Furi was always up for some fun.

Furious Barkley was his sergeant’s life partner. Syn had taken one look at the man with the long beautiful hair and countless tattoos, and fallen completely in love. Ruxs had met the ex-porn star/bartender turned mechanic/business owner after they all rallied together to protect him from his psycho ex-husband. Ever since then, he and Furious had formed a good bond, they were close friends and Ruxs knew he could talk to him the same as Green.

What’s up tonight… Wanna hang???
Ruxs closed his eyes waiting on Furi to respond. After a couple minutes his phone pinged with a notification. He pulled up the message:

Furi
: Me and Syn going to the movies with god and day…welcome to come along

Thats alright…will chill home tonight

Furi:
You sure……

Yeah man ttyl

Furi:
Peace

“Fuck.” Ruxs groaned. Maybe Curtis wants to do something.

He quickly pulled up Curtis’ number and sent a message to him.
Hey bud, what’s up???

Ruxs only had to wait a few seconds before Curtis replied.
over Shanes kicking his butt in MLB 14…don’t worry no drugs or booze. Luv ya see you tomorrow

“Damnit” Ruxs yelled, throwing his phone across the room. Everyone had someone, something to do, except him. He ran his hand back and forth over his buzz-cut, squeezing his eyes shut at the ache of loneliness. He got up from off the floor, thinking that there was no need to wallow. He’d find something to do. He was on his way to his bedroom when he heard his phone ringing. It wasn’t a call it was his alarm. He turned around and went in search of the irritating noise. He bent and picked it up, looking to see what he’d forgotten. The alarm indicated that his grandmother’s birthday was tomorrow.

Jesus
. He couldn’t believe it’d been another year. That woman had kept them a family when he was young. It wasn’t until after she died that his mom started using. He put flowers on her grave every year. He always asked his mom to go with him but she was always too depressed–and high–to go. He stood there staring at the phone for a few minutes, wondering if what he was thinking of doing was such a great idea. He wondered if going over to his mom’s place and talking with her around the anniversary of her mother’s passing could help her. Help her see that she still means something to him. That she means everything to him. They could be a family, just him and her. They weren’t alone. They had each other. He’d hate to pull the deceased grandmother card, but it might help getting her back into rehab, and this time Ruxs would make sure she stayed clean.

With newfound determination Ruxs went to his room and pulled out a good pair of jeans and a button up collar shirt.
Maybe she’ll have dinner with me
. He took a freezing cold shower since his hot water heater wasn’t working and quickly dressed. He tucked his badge and cuffs in his leather coat and left his depressing apartment to wait on the curb for his cab.
I really need to get another truck
. Ruxs wrecked his truck chasing a suspect about six months ago, but since he usually rode with Green, he didn’t stress about getting a new one. But he had a feeling that was going to change soon. It was the first week of November. It was after eight, dark and slightly chilly. The temperature was already starting to decline in the evening hours. He wasn’t going to want to wait outside for rides much longer.  

He had the driver drop him by the shopping center up the street from his mom’s place. He bought two large bouquets of flowers, one for the grave and one for his mom. He huffed and picked up a carton of cigarettes too. He needed to come with something to make her slightly pleased by his visit. He was smiling from ear to ear when the cab pulled up to his mom’s small duplex. He felt good about this. He’d gotten through to her before. Actually several times. She’d gone to rehab, and even though she’d relapsed, she’d gone. This time was going to be different, he convinced himself. Everyone else had their families and partners to share their lives with. He refused to be left with no one. He’d work on repairing his relationship with his mom. That would be his mission for now. Not home pining over his straight partner and his new girlfriend.

Ruxs tucked the cigarette box under his arm and went to open the door. He paused, changing his mind and knocked instead.

“Who is it?” his mom yelled. “I’m busy.”

“Momma, it’s me. Can I come in?” Ruxs yelled back.

“Armin, what do you want? I’m watching TV.”

What the hell?
Ruxs ignored her and opened the door. He stepped inside the foggy room, closed and locked the door behind him. “Hey momma. I brought you something.” He smiled despite the frown she had on her face.

“Armin. I said I’m busy.” She tucked her legs under her and turned back towards the TV, ignoring him.

He walked through the small living room space, kicking the recliner closed so he could sit next to her on the couch.

“Mom. I really wish you’d call me Mark.”

She scowled at him. “I’ll call what I named you.”

“You named me after a man that left you as soon as he found out you were pregnant. I’ve never even seen him. I go by Granddad’s name. I go by Mark Ruxsberg.”

“I will call you whatever I goddamn please, if I want to call you assh —”

He waved his hand in the air cutting her off. “Okay, okay. Never mind. Forget the name. That’s not why I came over.” He picked up the flowers and held them in front of her. “Look what I brought you. Aren’t they pretty? Roses are still your favorite, aren’t they?”

She didn’t smile at him but at least she dropped the frown. “Thanks,” she mumbled.

“You’re welcome. Here, I brought you these too.” He held out the carton of cigarettes. She quickly snatched them up and put them on the table beside her.

“I’ll just put these in some water for you.” Ruxs ignored her groan of annoyance and got up to get the one vase he knew was under the kitchen sink from the last time he’d brought her flowers. He vaguely looked around the small space as he carefully placed the flowers inside the thin glass container, filling it halfway with water. He smiled wide when he placed them on the table in front of her.

“Do you like them?” he asked.

“You can’t stay. I’m busy,” she said, not looking at the flowers or him, her bloodshot eyes focused on the television instead.

“Well, actually I have no plans tonight. Thought I’d come and take my favorite girl to dinner.” He gently placed his hand on her knee over her faded pink robe. “Maybe take a walk in the park. Hmmm. That sound nice? You love Atlanta in the fall.”