Secrets and High Spirits: Secrets, Book 4 (13 page)

“I was jealous,” came the explanation.

Teag sputtered. “Jealous? Of me?”

Bruce heaved a sigh like a man with a lot to say and not sure where to start. He took the icepack away from his face. “You know Walter? Walter Harford? He owns the Glitter Lounge.”

“I’ve never met him.”

“Right. Well, he wasn’t only my boss, but we were involved once. Seriously—on my part, anyway. Walter… He wasn’t a one-man man, and I was too crazy about him not to go along with anything he wanted. I thought I could do an open relationship, but I was wrong. Some people can, and good for them, I don’t begrudge them for it, but I guess I’m just too conventional. So if you want an open relationship, we better stop right here.”

Teag sat up straighter. “A relationship?”

“I’m going too fast, aren’t I?”

“A little. But I’m with you on the monogamy.” Teag got up, sat on the edge of the couch and put a hand on Bruce’s chest. Bruce’s warmth, the sensation of his solidity, flooded Teag in a calming wave.

Teag felt steadier, more self-assured just being near Bruce now that he’d stopped fighting his attraction. With a sweet ache, he realized he couldn’t imagine not spending his days with this man. Or nights. A possibility of a future together loomed large and entirely believable. They could share the place above the bar—it would be practical. But caution hadn’t completely abandoned him. “How about a trial run, to see if we can stand each other for real. Now that we’re both unemployed, we can spend lots of time together.”

“And you could spend some nights here.”

“It would be extremely practical,” Teag said.

“Extremely,” Bruce agreed.

They sealed the deal with a kiss and mild fondling. But Teag drew back. “Hang on for a minute. I’m not done interrogating you yet.” Bruce’s frustrated groan was strangely satisfying to hear. “So you followed me. How did you know when to break up the party?”

Bruce grumbled but gave in. “When I arrived, the alley was empty, but the door was open, and I heard voices, so I went inside. I slipped into the kitchen—I could hear every word from there. We’ll need to think about putting some soundproofing stuff between the floors.”

“Hm.”

“When that other guy showed up, I knew he was trouble, so I called the cops but had to go outside first, so I wouldn’t be heard. Then I snuck back inside just in time.”

“You sneak like a thief. I couldn’t hear a thing.”

“I took my shoes off.”

“Smart.”
And gutsy
. Teag started to think that, for a change, his instincts might just be right—Bruce was a keeper. “We should put you to bed.”

“I like your way of thinking,” Bruce said, waggling his brows.

Teag stood and snapped his fingers. “C’mon, chop-chop. Get undressed. That asshole kicked you in the nuts too. I want to make sure there is no serious damage.”

Bruce hopped to it.

Cha
pter Eleven

Bru
ce’s buddy Erik the electrician wasn’t the only one who turned up at the Blue Parrot early on Saturday morning. Bruce and Teag arrived tired and well shagged. Thank goodness, the police opted not to seal the place again the night before, or Teag’s head might have exploded and Bruce’s night could’ve gone much differently.

After helping Eric and his apprentice, who was also his daughter, unload the van, Bruce and Teag cooled their heels in the parking lot. And that was where they were when the Boy Band showed up in full force, although there was nothing for them to do.

“Holy shiner, Bruce! What happened to your face? Did Teag hit you? He’s a brute.” Dylan rushed forward, gawking. Jem and Olly followed close behind.

“Fell down the stairs,” Bruce said, as this was the truth. He gingerly touched his cheek.

Dylan’s eyes got extra big. “Last night? OMG. You were here when the thing went down? We saw it on the news,” Dylan gushed, while Jem and Olly were bobbing their heads in backup. “I tried to call you, but you weren’t answering your phone,” he added, glaring at Teag accusingly.

Teag glared back. “We had a lot on our hands.”

“That’s what she said!” Dylan crowed, but he must’ve read something in Teag’s face, because his teasing smile softened. “Oh! I see how it is.” He made a show of looking Bruce over from top to bottom. “He’s a lot, I give you that.”

Taking their clues from Dylan, Jem and Olly studied the newly minted couple, their gazes bouncing back and forth between Bruce and Teag.

“Right.” Teag clapped his hands together. “It’s not that I’m not glad to see you, but why are you here? We’re a little busy, as you can see.” He gestured at Eric and Melanie scurrying around with tools and rolls of wires.

Dylan gave them an expression of doe-eyed innocence that signaled he was up to no good. Jem and Olly behind him were attempting to pull off something similar, but they had nowhere near Dylan’s theatric flair. Olly’s face was turning the color of fresh salmon.

Bruce hadn’t known the Boys as long as Teag, but even he suspected where this was going. So when Mme. Layla rounded the corner with a cheerful “Ah, here you all are!” he didn’t feel the slightest bit of surprise.

Mme. Layla swept in, surrounded by a cloud of spicy scents and green silk. “Did you know there’s a news van parked at your front entrance? I don’t mean to alarm you, but I think it’s only a matter of time before they find the back door.”

Picking up on Teag’s stifled groan, Bruce stepped forward with a welcoming smile and outstretched hand. “Mme. Layla, how nice to meet you again. What brought you here? Or should I ask who?” he added, shooting a poison dart of a glance at the Boys.

Her eyes sparkled as brightly as the silver jewelry hanging from her wrists and neck. “I have unfinished business here. It would be unprofessional of me to leave things as they are. Oh, and brought this back.” She opened her bag and pulled out the silver cocktail shaker.

Bruce had completely forgotten about it, with everything else going on. He took it and turned it around in his hand—it seemed shinier than he remembered?

“I cleaned it for you,” she explained, reading his mind.

“Did you find out anything interesting? Is it Cleopatra’s lost pewter of blended libations?” Bruce joked.

Laugh lines deepened around her eyes. “Nothing so glamorous, I’m afraid. The person who etched those signs was attempting to create a Horn of Plenty spell. I have to say, it was a rather clever idea to use a cocktail shaker in this situation. I have to give them points for imagination.”

“But?”

“Sadly, this person was a rank amateur and made a mess of it. Too bad. Probably one of those nitwits who thinks reading a book of spells will make you a witch.” Her jewelry jingled with indignation as she shook her head. “Really. Who would you rather hire, a licensed electrician or someone who read a book about it?”

“A professional, of course,” Bruce replied with a polite bow. He liked Mme. Layla and believed she believed herself to be a true witch. It hurt nobody to go along with it. Even Teag wore an amused expression instead of his usual irritated one. It was impressive how much a healthy sex life could improve one’s mood. Bruce himself felt more content and optimistic about the future than he had been in a long time. “What should we do with this thing?” He held up the shaker.

She apparently already thought of this. “I suggest you put it back were you found it. I couldn’t fix the garbled spell but placed a prosperity charm inside. Can we go inside?”

Bruce quickly conferred with Erik, who said it was fine. He and his daughter were working upstairs at the moment anyway.

They moved into the bar, and Mme. Layla dropped her bag onto the floor and took out a bundle of dried herbs and a large seashell.

Teag watched her with forehead-creasing concentration. “Did you come in here last week to draw a pentacle on the floor?”

The dark arches of her brows twitched upward. “Break, enter and sorcery. What an amusing idea!” she said with mirth.

In the background, Jem cleared his throat and raised a hand. “Ehrm. It was me.” They all turned to him with various levels of surprise. “I meant it for protection. It was the same sign Mme. Layla gave me to put under my pillow when I was cursed. So I figured it could help you guys.”

“But why?” the question sputtered out of Teag.

“And how?” added Bruce.

Jem had the decency to look sheepish as he met Bruce’s gaze. “I had a copy made of your key. You always leave them with the tools, and there’s a place one street over.” A touch of defiance broke through his repentance. “With the ghost and the guy upstairs, it seemed you might have been cursed, but I knew Teag wouldn’t listen…” He shot an accusatory glance at the person in question.

“And you took matters into your own hands?” Teag asked with exasperated disbelief.

Bruce knew it was time for him to step in. He put his free hand on Teag’s shoulder and gently squeezed. “What’s done is done. I’m sure Jem won’t do it again. Right?”

Jem nodded. “I’m sorry. Mme. Layla’s right, I shouldn’t have dabbled in stuff I don’t know.” An indecipherable look passed between him and Mme. Layla.

Teag sighed and shrugged. “Fine.” He turned to Bruce. “Remind me to change the lock as soon as possible.”

“I’ll take care of it today,” Bruce assured him.

Mme. Layla tapped her bundle of herbs on the shell in her hand. “This will be easier without a large audience,” she said.

They all pivoted for the door, except Teag. “What does this cleansing do exactly?” he asked.

“Pretty much what the word suggests—gives your place a clean slate,” she explained.

“But isn’t it like removing patina from an old candleholder or whatnot?”

“Patina, dirt, cobwebs, everything.”

“The ghost too?”

“It’s a weak presence, barely a trace, so yes.”

Teag stood silent for a long moment, his already overworked brows furrowing deeper. “I want to keep him. Og’s part of the Blue Parrot.” He looked at Bruce. “You mind?”

Bruce shook his head, unable to utter a word. He wouldn’t in a million years have expected this from his so very practical partner. But then it crossed his mind that maybe Teag was just trying to cut Mme. Layla’s visit short.

Teag gave Mme. Layla an apologetic smile. “Sorry to have wasted your time again.”

She didn’t seem troubled at all. “Not a problem. Fortunately, I came prepared. Instead of cleansing, I’ll perform a protection spell. It’ll leave your patina alone but will ward against harmful entities. I’ve also prepared a set of charms we can place inside the walls. And under the floor.” She nodded at the cocktail shaker still in Bruce’s hands. “We have prosperity covered. I was thinking fire protection in the kitchen, a few assorted wards and enchantments.”

Teag visibly sagged in defeat, and the witchery went on without further delay.

“
You are the last person I expected to want to keep a ghost around,” Bruce said later that night. He and Teag were stretched out on his couch, watching some fluff on TV.

Teag twisted his head to meet Bruce’s eyes. “Perhaps you’re not the only one with hidden depths.”

“Obviously not. Did you really mean what you said about Og? I didn’t think you believed in ghosts.”

“It’s a simple choice, if you think about it—if there’s no ghost, then it doesn’t matter. If there is, then we have a resident ghost. It’s kinda cool and probably not bad for business.”

“Ah, practical as always, I see. I was getting worried.”

“Pfft. I was thinking of not putting a stool on that spot but leaving it empty.”

“Good idea.” Bruce leaned in for a peck on the lips. “Speaking of hidden depths…I’m certain I have some more of those. Do you feel like exploring?”

Whether Mme. Layla’s witchcraft was real or not, after her last visit, all the stars seemed to have aligned in favor of the Blue Parrot. A short month later, the bar stood ready to open its new old doors.

However, the dress-rehearsal party was closer to complete disaster, starting with the weather. Who ever heard of a torrential downpour in LA in April? One of their suppliers was late with the first delivery, a box of martini glasses broke, and Teag and Bruce kept bumping into each other behind the bar. Their cook quit two days before for a more promising job in Vegas, and they had to order pizzas to feed their trial crowd.

“This is a disaster,” said Teag, shoulders slumped.

Bruce put his hands on those shoulders and began to knead the tense muscles. “Nah. Look at them—they’re having a blast.”

And they were. Alcohol was the great social lubricant, making people from different walks of life rub shoulders without friction. Bruce’s buddy Erik was having an animated conversation with Jem’s nerdy boyfriend, Simon, while Simon’s lesbian friends rounded up on Jem’s boyfriend Nick, who was apparently a cop.

Mme. Layla listened intently to Cecil Goodchild tell a long story, her pearly laugh mixing in with the general murmur of many voices. The photographer who Toby had brought to take pictures of Teag, Bruce, Cecil and the goat had apparently hit it off with the goat’s owner—a bohemian woman from Pasadena—and the two were huddled now in a dark corner. The goat was munching on hay and trouser legs under the table. Toby was charming the pants off Teag’s sister.

The boys flitted from one group to another as a trio of self-appointed hosts.

Teag considered the crowd. “Of course they’re having a good time. They are imbibing on the house.”

“
Imbibe
. Good word.”

“Thanks. Do the Boys seem suspicious to you? They’re up to something again, I can tell.”

“When are they not?”

“Good point.”

“
Relax,” said Bruce at the end of the night, after pouring their last guest into a yellow cab. “Everything went fine.”

“How can you say so?” Teag protested. Bruce’s optimism seemed unreasonably boundless to him. “We’re so not ready to open.”

Bruce locked the doors and turned off all the lights but the emergency exit signs. “Nah. You’re just nervous. I know a great way to take off the edge.” His lips curved into a lewd smile as he dropped to his knees in front of Teag and began to undo Teag’s slacks. “How would you like to fuck me against the bar?” His tongue curled around Teag’s cockhead as a way of emphasizing the offer.

Desire pulsed in Teag’s groin at the mental image. “Yes, please.”

A little while later, Bruce leaned on the bar, the tattoos on his arms strained over the bulging muscles. The mermaid seemed to be smiling particularly naughtily. He was naked, except for a pair of black socks, legs wide apart, round ass offered for pillage and plunder. They’d fucked in all reasonable positions, but principally Teag was an ass man, and Bruce knew it.

Teag set to prepare Bruce with tender attention, but Bruce had other ideas. “Not like that,” he grumbled. “Fuck me hard. I want to feel it for days.”

This was all the encouragement Teag needed. He gripped Bruce’s hips and thrust hard and fast.

Bruce grunted and his head thunked on the wood. “Oh gawd, yes.”

For a moment, Teag thought he heard the clinking of ice and a soft chuckle, and saw from the corner of his eyes a figure sitting at the end of the bar where it curved to the wall, but when he turned his head for a better look, there was nothing there. He shook his head and directed his attention back to fucking the man of his heart into oblivion.