Still working on it, he said, then at my peeved silence, added, Can you come out tomorrow, say at ten?
What about my car? I said flatly, and he chuckled.
Im working on it. Id like you to talk to our shift change meeting. Tell everyone what happened at the bridge and give us your Inderland opinion.
Oh. That was different. Thats ten P.M., right? I asked, fiddling with the vents as Trent drove us down the service roads paralleling the interstate. His usual fast and furious driving had slowed, and I wondered if he was trying to listen in.
Ah, A.M.
In the morning? I exclaimed, and Trent stifled a chortle. Yep, he was listening. Edden, Ive barely got my eyes unglued at ten. Id have to get up by nine to make it.
So stay up, the man said. Call it a bedtime story. I promise Ill have your car.
I sighed. The chance to be included in something professional where my opinion was wanted was a unique and cherished thing. And I did want my car. But ten A.M.?
Rachel, I could really use your help, he said. Even if these misfires are over, Im having a hard time getting a handle on the issues theyve caused. That misfired charm on the bridge was one of about two dozen that got reported, Edden admitted. Were guessing five times that actually happened. Im down two officers, and with the I.S. scrambling to apprehend the inmates that survived the mass exodus of the containment facility downtown, the vampires at large are taking it as a sign there is no law at all.
We stopped at a light, and I glanced at Trent. His brow was creased, and I frowned. What happened at the Cincy lockup?
Eddens sigh was loud enough to hear. Apparently the high-security wing was in the path of whatever that was, and it unlocked. Most of the inmates are either dead or gone
They killed them? I said, aghast.
No. Anyone using magic to escape died, probably from a misfire. They got it locked down, but I hate to think what would have happened if the sun hadnt been up. At least the undead stayed put. The background noise became suddenly louder as Trent turned us down a quiet street.
The I.S. isnt handling anything right now, Edden said, and a ribbon of worry tightened about me. Rachel, I dont know the first thing about why a spell shop would explode or what would make a witchs apartment fill with poisonous gas and snuff the entire building. Ive got a sorting charm at the post office that took out the back wall of the Highland Hill branch and killed three people. Two construction workers in intensive care from an unexpected glue discharge, and a van of kids treated and released for something involving cotton candy and a hay baler. Even if nothing more goes wrong, Im swamped. Is there an Inderlander holiday I dont know about?
No. My thoughts went to Newts space and time calibration curse. She didnt think it was over. Okay, Ill be there, but I want coffee.
His sigh of relief was obvious. Thanks, Rachel. I really appreciate it.
And my car! I added, but hed already hung up. I closed the phone and looked at it sitting innocently in my hands. Thanks, I said as I looked at Trent, the streetlights flashing on him mesmerizingly. You heard all that, right?
He nodded. Most of it. Its a mess.
Ill say. I doubt Ill come away with anything we dont already know, but Ill let you know if I do.
Again he smiled, a faint worry line showing on his forehead. Id appreciate that. Were here.
I looked up from putting my phone away. Surprised, I blinked. It was a bowling alley, the neon pins and balls on the sign flickering on and off. Lips parted, I said nothing as Trent pulled his shining car into one of the parking spots beside a dented Toyota. Jenks staying home resounded in me, and Eddens call seemed to vanish as Trent turned the car off.
Trent, is this a date?
He didnt reach for the key still in the ignition. You never told me how your car got impounded.
Is this a date? I asked again, more stridently.
Silent, he sat there, his hands on the wheel as he stared at the front door and the neon bowling pins flashing on and off. I want it to be.
My face felt warm. A couple was getting out of a truck a few spots down, and they held hands as they went in. A date? I couldnt imagine holding Trents hand in public. Kistens, yes. Marshals, yes. Not Trents. This isnt a good idea.
Normally Id agree with you, but Ive got a valid reason.
Valid reason. His voice had been calm, but my skin was tingling, and I fidgeted with my shoulder bag until I realized what I was doing and stopped. Nothing has changed in the last three months.
No. It hasnt.
I took a breath, then thought about that. Hed kissed me three months ago, and Id kissed him back. Nothing has changed.
I heard the soft sound of sliding cotton as he turned, and I felt his attention land on me. Looking up, I read in his eyes the question. Nothing? I said, my hands knotting in my lap. Things felt different to me. Wed been all over Cincinnati together the last three months, me doing everything from getting him coffee at the conservatorys open house to discouraging three aggressive businessmen who wouldnt take no for an answer. Wed developed an unwritten language, and hed gained the knack of reading my moods as easily as I knew what he was thinking. Id seen him laugh in unguarded moments, and Id learned to be gracious when he paid my way into events that Id never be able to afford. Id been ready to defend him to the pain of unconsciousness, and I wasnt sure anymore if it was a job or something Id do anyway.
But he had another life, one coming in tomorrow on a 747 that didnt include me.
I cant be like Ceri, showing the world one face and my heart something else, I said, gut clenching.
Im not asking you to.
I looked up from my hands, my breath catching at his earnest expression. Then what are you asking?
His lips twisted, and he turned away. I dont know. But Ellasbeth is coming back with the girls tomorrow
I pounced on that. Yes, Ellasbeth. He winced. A second couple was going in, and I looked at the glowing sign. Couples night. Swell. Trent, I will not be a mistress.
I know. His voice was becoming softer, more frustrated.
Yes, but were still sitting here, I said, my anger building. Why are we here if we both know its not going to work?
I pounced on that. Yes, Ellasbeth. He winced. A second couple was going in, and I looked at the glowing sign. Couples night. Swell. Trent, I will not be a mistress.
I know. His voice was becoming softer, more frustrated.
Yes, but were still sitting here, I said, my anger building. Why are we here if we both know its not going to work?
I want to take you bowling, he said as if that was all there was to it, and I flung my head back, staring at the roof of the car.
Rachel, he said tightly, and I brought my head down. Tonight is my last night before the girls come home and my world shifts back to them. Ive never had time for myself like this. Ever. Quen will be there evaluating me though I know he doesnt mean to, and until she leaves, Ellasbeth will be doing the same. The girls will be front and center as theyre supposed to be, and thats okay. But Ive spent the last month with you and this incredible freedom that Ive never had before, and I need to know if . . .
His words trailed off, and my heart hammered at his expression, both pained and wistful.
I need to know, he said softly. I want to know what a date with you is like so I can look at it and say that was a date. This was business. One date. One real date, with a good-night kiss and everything. One date so I can honestly say to myself that the others were not . . . dates.
I couldnt seem to catch my breath, and I looked back down at my hands, all twisted up again. Slowly, deliberately, I opened my fingers and splayed them out on my knees. I knew what he was talking about, and it might not be a bad ideahaving a reference and all. But it sounded dangerous. Bowling? I questioned, and the worry wrinkle in his brow eased.
Sure, he said, his hands falling from the wheel. You cant get banned, so theres no reason for them to kick us out. He hesitated, then added, Or I can take you back home.
I didnt want to go home. Knees wobbly, I yanked the door handle, grabbing my shoulder bag as I got out of the car. No kiss, I said over the car. Not all dates end with a kiss.
His smile hesitant, Trent got out and came around the front of the car. If thats what you want, he said, and flustered, I put my hands in my pockets so he wouldnt be tempted to take them, flashing him a stilted smile when he reached to get the heavy oak door for me.
Though clearly disappointed about the kiss stipulation, Trent seemed happy that I hadnt said no outright, and he stood behind me as I shifted to the right of the door, breathing in the stale smell of beer and really good burgers. The crack of the pins followed by an exuberant call of success was relaxing, and the sappy couples music made me smile. Ive not been bowling in ages, I said, and Trent fidgeted his way out from behind me.
This is okay? he said hesitantly, and I nodded. The soft touch of his hand on the small of my back jolted through me, and I scrambled to catch my energy balance before it tried to equalize between us. I felt overdressed as we approached the counter, and I set my bag down on the scratched plastic to take my jacket off to turn me from security to professional woman coming right from work. Under the plastic top were perfect bowling scores, and I glanced at the bar in the corner, my stomach rumbling at the smell of greasy, salty, wonderful bar food. Yes, this is okay. God help me if Al ever found out.
Two games, please, Trent said as he reached for his wallet. You have a fast lane?
The guy behind the counter turned from changing the disk on the music they were piping through the place. He looked old, but it was mostly life wearing him down. Three is fast, he said, then blinked as he saw me. Crap, had I been recognized? You, ah, need shoes?
Trent nodded. Size 8 womens, and a mens 10.
The bowling guys chair was on casters, and with a practiced move, he shoved backward to the honeycomb wall behind the counter, grabbing two pairs and shoving himself back. Ah, with the shoes, that will be forty-three, unless you want to include two burger baskets. They come with two complimentary beers each.
It was couples night after all, and Trent turned to me. Okay with you?
Sure. Oh God, what was I doing? This felt more risky than anything Id ever done with Trent before, including the time wed stolen elf DNA from the demons. Nervous, I turned to the bar again. The TV was spouting todays recycled bad news to counteract the love songs, but the love songs were winning.