I'm baaack! Okay, when this was on the air I felt some obligation to try to stick to the story. Sadly, I no longer need to feel that way. My husband is down in Louisiana restoring power to the masses so I find myself with a lot of time on my hands. This is the result. I make no claims to being a writer and since this is simply a hobby I don't think I need to bother a beta. Sorry for any and all errors. Don't heavy think, just read and enjoy and ask yourself- where does she get these harebrained ideas. When you figure that out, let me know. Majorly good Karma for those of you who recognize who "Wes" actually is. Sorry, but no Jeddie or Nick and Hannah in this chapter, this is a back story and filler, goodness to come in late chapters. All standard disclaimers apply.
Ray was deep in thought as he pulled into the lot of Sully's. He parked on auto-pilot and walked into the bar. He couldn't see the girls, but he could hear Hannah's laughter as he entered. Remembering his promise to give her space, he turned and went to the far end of the bar. After settling on the bar stool he glanced to his right and discovered Ikey nursing a beer and chewing on a swizzle stick.
"What goes on Big Cat?"
"Probably the same thing as you." Ray replied with a small smile. Since Ikey and Layla had started the bank project with him, Ray had found that it was becoming easier to talk to some of Hannah's friends.
Ikey exchanged his destroyed swizzle stick for a new one before he answered. "Yeah, you're lookin' at the taxi for the evening. Eddie's coming for Janet and Allison later but I get Layla, her sister and Izzie. God help me. Pray for me Big Cat, I'm gonna need it."
From the other side of the bar Rooster joined in "And the truly bad part is that they just started shots and the night is still young." He looked over Ray's shoulder and raised an eyebrow "Don't look now, but Janet and Allison are spankin' some butt over at the dart board. Poor college boys." He set a draft down in front of Ray and moved down the bar.
Ikey and Ray sat in companionable silence, letting the activity of the bar move around them. Ikey could tell that Ray had something on his mind but figured that it would come out in due time. Since starting on the bank job with him Ikey was more comfortable in Ray's presence, but he was still wary of what could happen when the Big Cat was around. It had been a long time since anything had happened, but none of the guys were willing to let their guard down just yet. Ikey was searching for what to say when he heard Ray speak. "What did you just say, dude? I was spacing out over here."
"Can I ask you something? I think I need some advice." Ray repeated.
Ikey stared at him for a moment "What could I possibly give you advice on?"
"Are you gonna listen or not? This isn't easy for me, ya know." Ray demanded.
Ikey thought about it while he chewed on his swizzle stick. "Yeah, I'll listen. Don't really have anything better to do at the moment."
"Okay, here's the thing. Hannah and I have been seeing each other again for a few months. We've started talking about living together, but now it seems like she's pulling away. When I ask her what's wrong she says nothing." He ran his hands through his hair in frustration. "I don't want to lose her, man." Ray heard himself talking but couldn't believe what had just come out of his mouth. He had come dangerously close to letting someone see the real Ray Cataldo.
Ikey was shaking his head. "You poor fool. First of all, when she says nothing it never means nothing. I can't believe you haven't figured that one out yet." He swiveled around on his stool to look for the girls. Turning back around he signaled for Rooster. When Rooster made it down to them Ikey handed him a quarter. "Play Layla's current favorite song for me. I need to show Big Cat something." Rooster grinned and went to the jukebox.
Ikey turned to Ray and said "Do you see Layla over there?" When Ray nodded he continued "Watch what she does when the next song starts and then we'll finish this conversation."
When the first strains of the music started Ray could see that Layla was listening and when she realized what was playing she looked around the bar until she spotted Ikey. By the time the chorus started she was on her way to where they were seated. 'You don't have to be rich to be my girl. You don't have to be cool to rule my world. Ain't no particular sign I'm more compatible with, I just want your extra time and your kiss.'
Ray watched in amazement as Layla stepped between Ikey's knees and reached up to place her hands on his chest. Leaning in, she gave him a bone melting kiss, gave a little finger wave to Ray and Rooster and headed back to the girls. Ikey grinned at Ray and said "Ready for the rest of the conversation?"
"Maybe you should call it a lesson instead" Rooster quipped as he walked away.
"You need to know what lights her up and then commit to it. A little romance wouldn't kill ya Cataldo. I'm lucky, Layla loves music as much as I do so it comes easy for us. Every woman I know will show you what she wants if you just pay attention." Ikey got up from his bar stool "Wait here, I'll be right back. I got something in the car you can use." He was back in just a few minutes with a cd case in his hands.
"I'm feeling generous tonight so I'm gonna give you a little hint here. Hannah spent a lot of time with all of us when we were younger and she has the same love of music that we all got from Phil." He looked at the cd in his hands before he handed it to Ray. "This has every song that I have ever played for Layla on it and a few new ones that I haven't needed yet. Take it and put it to good use." He waved Rooster to come back. "Get me an order of wings Rooster and put it on Big Cat's tab. He owes me."
Ray just shrugged at Rooster and said "Make that two orders and plenty of soda. We might be here for awhile." Ray and Ikey spent the rest of the evening sharing plates of wings and nursing their sodas. By the time the girls were ready to call it a night Ray felt like he was on the way to actually having a friend. After loading Hannah into his SUV he went to help Ikey with his load. Between the two of them they finally got all three women in the car and buckled up.
Ikey hesitated before getting into the car and blew out a big breath. "Hey Big Cat…" When he had Ray's attention he continued "Play track 7 for her. I guarantee you it will work, and it can be your original because I've never played it for Layla."
They gave each other a wave and drove off to take all of their inebriated women home.
Allison cracked one eye open and quickly shut it when she registered the bright sunlight streaming through the window. Burying her head under the pillow she silently cursed the women that had talked her into those last few shots of tequila.
Owen walked into the bedroom and grinned at the sight of his wife cocooned in the bedcovers. Peeking under the edge he met her eyes. "Up and at 'em" he told her. "Remember, you promised Izzie that you would help her paint today."
Groaning, Allison rolled over and flung the covers away from her and let the sunshine have it's way with her. Owen was right, she had promised Izzie and she couldn't let her down on such an important day. One more day of painting and then they could open the doors on the Knights Ridge Family Shelter. Izzie had started the project alone, but she had quickly coerced the rest of them into helping her. When Owen tossed a pair of her oldest jeans on the foot of the bed she smiled her thanks and started dressing.
Ikey watched in amazement as Layla bounced around the apartment. "You know, it really pisses me off that you don't have hangovers like a normal person."
Layla laughed at him as she gathered some cds together to take to the scheduled day of painting. "You're not pissed, you're just jealous." She gave him a quick kiss on the lips while copping a feel of his backside. "Gotta go, don't know when I'll be back. Come by if you guys get bored."
Shaking his head in amusement, Ikey watched her as she left in a rush. "I love you" he called down the stairs to her.
"You better" was the response he got right before he heard the door of her car close.
After brushing her teeth to get rid of the bad taste in her mouth, Izzie made a cup of tea and took it out to the porch swing that Nick and Eddie had installed the day before. Looking around at all of the things that had been done in the past months to get ready for the opening she smiled in satisfaction. She still missed everyone in Seattle but it became easier to handle every day. She had found a home and another "family", another second chance that she was determined to make work.
Hannah woke up to the ungodly sound of what she thought had to be somebody mowing the lawn. Rolling over to hide under her pillow she saw that it was just the cat purring up a storm. Pulling it under the covers with her she cuddled it for a few minutes until she felt ready to face the day. She was spending the day painting with the girls and had a date with Ray that night and she smiled in anticipation of all the good things that the coming day promised as she headed for the shower. She turned her cell phone on and placed it on the vanity so she would remember to call Janet to ask her to watch Sam. She didn't feel right asking Nick since it was for a date with Ray. There was a time when she would have felt guilt for the whole situation but lately she was learning to take things as they come and enjoy the moment. Much to Janet's satisfaction, and to her, own even though she would never admit it to her friend.
Janet hung up the phone after agreeing to watch Sam and turned around when she heard Sully calling her name. "What did you say, Sully? I didn't hear you, I was on the phone with Hannah."
"That's okay, Honey. I just want to introduce you to the new bar-back and bouncer." Sully replied with his usual good nature.
For the first time Janet noticed the man standing beside Sully and her mouth went a little dry and she suddenly regretted those last few shots of the night before. Standing before her was one of the best looking men she had seen in a long time. Eddie was no slouch, but this guy was just too scary looking to even compare to the men of Knights Ridge. She was jerked out of her musings by Sully saying her name.
"Earth to Janet. Are you listening?"
"Yeah, Sully. I'm with you." She replied a little sheepishly.
"Janet, this is Westin Santor. He's starting tonight, so could you show him the ropes? I have to go run some errands, but I'll be back before the rush."
As Sully left the bar, Janet looked over the new guy, trying to get a feel for him. Her initial reaction had been one of mistrust but the sparkle in his green eyes was making her rethink her reaction. When he held out his hand she shook it and gave him a grin. He smile back at her and said "Nice to meet you Janet, please call me Wes."
Janet spent the next few hours showing Wes around the place. By the time she opened for business she found that she was comfortable in his presence and actually found herself relaxing. He seemed to know his was around a bar so she agreed when he suggested that she take a break when Allison and Layla came in for some dinner. "Where are Izzie and Hannah?" she asked them as she took a seat at their table.
Layla gave her an impish smile as she replied "Hannah has a hot date with Big Cat and Izzie is taking a shower. She'll be along."
Janet wrinkled her brow and asked "You two look fine, why is Izzie showering?"
Allison let out a little giggle at Layla's innocent expression. "She's showering because our friend here chased her around with a paint brush." She shook her finger at Layla and said in mock seriousness "Shame on you, you big bully."
Wes, as he had learned to think of himself, stood behind the bar and smiled at the exchange. He could see a lot of genuine love between the girls and it made him miss his "brothers" even more. At the sound of the front door opening he looked that way and what he saw made him believe in God just a little bit more. Coming toward him was a tall blonde woman with her hair in a messy ponytail, dressed in ratty jeans and a Celtics t-shirt. Janet looked over at him and said "Wes, could you bring us some drafts, please."
He watched the blonde drop into a seat beside Janet and surmised that this must be the Izzie that they were talking about. He quickly loaded the drafts on a tray and took them to the table.
"Seriously, Layla. Did you really have to get it down my pants and in my hair. You have got to learn to play fair." Izzie smacked Layla on the arm and laughed when Layla made a big show of pain. "Geez, you are such a pain in the ass."
Wes almost tripped at the thought of washing paint off of the beautiful woman before him. He let Janet take the tray from his hands as he met her laughing eyes. Something told him that this was a very perceptive co-worker that he had just acquired.
"Allison, Layla, Izzie, I would like to introduce you to Sully's newest employee. This is Wes. Wes, these are my friends and their money is never any good in here."
Izzie finished putting her keys into her purse and looked up as Janet was introducing Wes. Janet continued with the introductions, giving Izzie a chance to study the man in front of her. He was well over 6' tall with bright green eyes, spiky black hair and a skin tone that hinted at a mixed heritage. She felt a blush creep across her cheeks when he caught her staring at him.
Wes saw her blush and leaned close as he placed her beer in front of her. "Next time you have paint in hard to reach places, give me a call. I would be glad to help you out." He arched his eyebrows and smiled as Izzie's blush deepened. "Ladies, let me know if you need anything else. Janet, take your time, it doesn't look like it's gonna be busy for awhile." With one more look at Izzie he made his way back to the bar.
"Wow, that was some night." Janet said to Wes as she locked the front door after the final customer. "Is there any coffee left?"
"Sure" Wes said as he reached for the pot. He poured her a mug and slid it across the bar to her.
Janet took a sip and sighed. She looked over at Wes and gave him a devilish smile. "So, go ahead and ask what you want to know. I can tell it's been killing you all night."
"Has anyone ever told you that you might be too perceptive for your own good?" Wes kidded her as he poured a mug of coffee for himself. "If you know so much, why don't you tell me what I want to know."
Janet narrowed her eyes at him for a second. Shrugging her shoulders she decided to tell him a little bit about Izzie. "Izzie is one of my best friends even though she just moved to the Ridge a little over a year ago. She went to college with Layla and they met up again when she moved here for her job. She's a surgeon at the hospital and she is opening a shelter for women and children. That's all there is for general circulation, anything else you'll have to get from Izzie herself. Now, let's get this place closed up so we can get some sleep."
Over the next few weeks, Wes found himself falling into a comfortable routine. He worked at the bar most nights and was slowly cultivating a friendship with Izzie and the rest of Janet's extended family. Pulling a beer out of the cooler, he handed it to Eddie and leaned on the bar taking a long pull out of beer of his own.
"So, when are you going to get around to asking Izzie out?" Eddie asked.
Wes had to swallow quickly before he spewed beer all over the other man. "What makes you think I should ask her out?"
Eddie raised an eyebrow and gave him a searching look. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe it's the fact that you can't keep your eyes off of each other and you never miss a chance to make a pass at her just so you can watch her blush. Maybe I have a little insight and I think you should ask her out because she won't say no. Maybe," Eddie took a swig of beer. " but whatever, you do what you want. Who am I to force you to go out with a beautiful, smart, sexy woman."
Wes thought to himself that Bobby would really like this guy. Actually all of the guys would like Eddie. He blew out a big breath before he replied. "It's a little more complicated than that, my friend. I am attracted to Izzie, but I can't ask her out, not the way my life is now."
"Just what 'way' is your life right now?" Eddie asked him.
Wes paused for a moment before he answered. "I could tell you, but then I would have to kill you."
Eddie looked Wes in the eye and the twinkle that was still there offset the serious tone of voice. "It can't be that bad, but whatever it is you can talk to me when you're ready." He finished his beer and reached for his coat. "In the meantime, grab your coat, the dorks have invited you to band practice. I use the term band lightly, just a little fyi."
"I think I'm going crazy" Izzie said as she stomped around the room cleaning up after the latest resident in the shelter. "I mean, seriously, what's the problem? Why won't he ask me out? If I don't have some serious making out with a hot man soon I am going to kill somebody." She quit stomping around the room long enough to glare at Layla and Pizza Girl. "Stop staring at me and help me come up with a plan."
"Maybe you should ask him out. It doesn't seem like he would be against that thought." Pizza Girl suggested. When Izzie halted suddenly in front of her she shrank back into the chair.
Izzie snapped her fingers and said "That's it. That's what I'm going to do. Now I just have to figure out how."
After spending a few days getting up her courage Izzie approached Wes at the bar. "Could I talk to you for a few minutes?"
"Sure, just give me a few minutes. I have a break coming, I'll meet you out back." Izzie nodded her head and Wes watched her go with confusion in his eyes. He looked down the bar and met Janet's eyes. When she saw the look in his eyes she came down and took the bar towel from his hands.
"Look Wes, I don't know what's holding you back and maybe you can't tell me, but I know a runner when I see one. Whatever it is that you're running from must be pretty bad if it's gonna stop you from having any kind of life." She took one of his large hands in hers. "Why don't you give Izzie a chance, she might surprise you." She squeezed his hand and gave him a push towards the back.
Wes walked out the back door to find Izzie leaning against his Mustang, and in that moment he couldn't take it any more. He took a few steps towards her and pulled her into his arms. She fit perfectly into his embrace and they stood locked together for a long time, long enough for him to get control of his emotions. He gripped her upper arms and pushed her away so he could see her face clearly. What he saw there was his undoing and his whole plan of letting her down easily went out the window. "Carlos is going to kill me" he said as he pulled her back to him.
Izzie heard what he said but it didn't make any sense to her. It didn't matter because she was in his arms and she never wanted to leave, no matter what the consequences. After a few minutes Wes spoke softly into her ear. "We really need to talk about some things if you want to be around me."
He sat her down on the bench and sat beside her to look into her eyes. "Izzie, this is very serious and I need to know if you can handle that. You have to be sure. You have to be certain, because this could put you into some danger and I will not do that on some sort of whim."
Izzie searched his face before she answered. She must have found what she was looking for because a smile came to her face. "You can tell me anything. I have found out in the past year that I am way stronger than I ever thought. I've learned to listen to my instincts, to believe in myself, and it is all telling me that you need me as much as I need you."
"Wait right here, I'll be right back" he told her. He made a quick tour through the bar to collect Izzie's purse and to tell Janet he was leaving for the night. He exited the back door and took Izzie's hand to lead her to the car.