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14: Stuck For Life.

"How have we been giving you a hard time?" Seriously? I glared up at Murphy for a second before going back to my cleaning.

"Aye, we've been nothing but nice, haven't we?"

"Oh, come off it, I ain't daft. I know you were only makin' fun of me." I set down the glass I was working on and pulled out a cigarette. "I feel bad enough about last night as it is." I flicked the lighter a few times, struggling just to get the flame to stay.

"Here," an arm reached over and lit the end I'd been struggling with. Aequitas.

"Thanks," I said mid puff, then returned to the glasses.

"You shouldn't feel bad, sweetheart." I turned my attention, confused expression and all, to Connor. "We know we're irresistible. This sort of thing happens all the time."

"Seriously?" It made sense. I mean, here I was, never really wanting anyone before in my life and they got to me. If they could get to me, then no one else stood a chance against the charming bastards. I still didn't know if I should be relieved or offended.

"Of course not," he cracked up at his own cleverness as I rolled my eyes.

"I'd think you'd know that, seeing as you're with us all the time."

I shrugged at them, setting the last glass back in its place, "Well that's all well and good," I hung up my apron, "but if you don't mind I'd like to be getting home now." It was the truth. I was tired, and all I wanted was a nice long sleep followed by an easy day tomorrow. An easy day with no cheeky comments and a quiet night's work.

They exchanged some look; one of those secret twin looks that they did that annoyed the shit out of me, and made their way out the door. I followed after them, turning out the lights and locking up like any night Doc went home early. I heard Connor holler from down the street a ways as I tried to get the key out of the lock, "You be good now, O'Dell."

I waved absent-mindedly in his direction, "Oh, fuck off," I went back to jiggling the key out of its place. This always happened when I closed up. One of these days I'd need to file the thing down a bit. "Finally," I breathed when it popped out. I jumped when I heard laughter behind me.

"I thought for a second there we'd need to call a locksmith," I turned to see Murphy's smiling face.

I held my hand to my chest with a laugh, "Jesus Murph, what are you still doing here?"

"Walkin' ya home, what does it look like I'm doing?"

"You do remember that I live just there, right?" I pointed to the door only a few yards away.

I was taken aback when his hand slid around my waist, "Doesn't mean I can't still walk you."

When I looked up at him, skepticism strewn across my eyes, I wished I could read his expression. "I guess not."

We took the few steps to the doorway before he spoke, "What are you doing Tuesday night?"

"Dunno, work probably," my voice cracked slightly. Why was he standing so close? And what did Tuesday have to do with anything?

I made the mistake of looking directly at him, that slight smile and those blue eyes were all it took. I was lost. "Think you can take the night off?"

My heart started pounding. What had I turned into? Some weak little girl who freaks whenever a man gives her the slightest bit of attention? But it wasn't all men, was it? It was just the one in front of me and his twin brother. My fucking Achilles' heels. "Why?"

"Cause I'm taking you out Tuesday night." What? I was trying to process what he'd said, and he must've noticed because he clarified, "That is why you were tryin' so hard to impress us last night, right lass?"

I let out a small nervous laugh, "Well, yes. But—"

"Then let me take you out." I looked at him then, standing there in the soft light of the streetlamp, looking bloody perfect. A strong wave of electricity ran through my body, like the ones I'd get after finishing a job or winning a fight.

This had to be a joke. One long and cruel set up for a joke. "This isn't funny, you know."

"It's not supposed to be," he took a step closer to me and the sweet smell of cigarettes and beer filled my nose. "So whadya say?"

I lost myself again. Those damn eyes. I felt the hand return to my waist, more electricity. I swear, if the connected me to the power grid that moment alone would've kept the city going for a year. "You're being serious?" He nodded, not moving away even an inch. "I guess I can get Doc to cover for me."

"See, that wasn't so hard now was it?" He took the keys from my now reasonably limp hand and unlocked to door to my building.

"Thanks," I said as he held the door open for me, still half in shock from the situation at hand.

He placed the keys back in my hand as I stepped past him into the light of the hallway, "You have yourself a good night, O'Dell."

He had let the door go and I could see him start off down the sidewalk, "You too." My voice was not itself. I wasn't myself. I felt oddly excited. I felt strangely satisfied. Hell, I even felt a bit girly.

-o0o-

I found myself waking up early that Sunday even though I'd spent the whole Saturday working. I was actually anxious. Me, anxious. What was the world coming to? At some point during my shower I thought it might be a good idea to have a visit with Ashley. It was a good idea, but I had no way of knowing how to go about it. I didn't have her phone number. All I knew was which building she lived in. I couldn't just show up unannounced, could I? Or were we skipping all the lame parts of the friendship and diving right into trust? I mean I had let her hang out in my apartment. Isn't it fair to say she owed me? I threw on some jeans, shoes, a grey wife-beater, and my black coat before locking up and making my way down the stairs.

Mornings were weird enough in this part of town, but Sunday mornings were a different story. Sunday mornings brought out all of the families and the older people. Sunday mornings brought out the churchgoers. I made my way in the direction of Ash's apartment building, still wondering if it would be okay to drop in. She would want to hear about what happened. "This is what girls do, right?" I made an attempt at rationalization as I passed by a local bakery. "I should bring her something," I mumbled to myself before stepping in and getting hit by a large waft of butter and sugar. The woman behind the counter smiled at me as I peered through the display. I had no idea what she would like from here. If this were a bar, I'd know just the thing. Fuck.

"Can I help ya, darlin'?"

I looked up from my now crouched position, "I'm surprising my friend, you see. Don't know what she'll like though." I stood back up and gave her a smile, not my usual one either. In face I hadn't used this smile since I was home. This one was reserved for sweetening people up, whether it was to get information, borrow a car, or something more sinister.

"Here Hun," she pulled a box from behind her and placed a few items in, "These are our best sellers." She set them down and punched numbers into the cash register, "That'll be four seventy."

I reached into my pocket, "I'm sure I have a fiver in here someplace." Once I'd handed it over I remembered my smile. My old smile, "You have yourself a lovely day now."

"You come on back if your friend doesn't like 'em."

I nodded to her as I left holding the box in front of me. I hated to admit it, having never been a breakfast person myself, but they did smell fantastic. It took me no time to get to her building after that. I scanned the names on the wall beside the door, trying to figure out which apartment was hers and how exactly to have her buzz me in. Then, as if by the Grace of God himself, Jesus emerged from the building. No, wait… that's just Rocco.

"O'Dell!" He had this guilty expression on his face, and I knew.

"You dog!" I reached to stop the door from closing behind him, "I take it your walk home was a nice one." The way he squirmed with discomfort, inching down the street, probably debating on whether or not he should run for it, something about it just made me feel so pleased.

"I was just—"

I held up my hand, "My lips are sealed, boyo. So long as you tell me which apartment she's in."

"205."

"Alright now, get the fuck out of here," I waved him off and entered the building. This one was a great deal nicer than mine. The wallpaper wasn't pealing away at all, and the floor looked like you could eat off of it. They even had an elevator. I didn't take it though. I never take elevators. Not unless I have to. Elevators were a tactical disadvantage. Not to mention being fucking death traps.

My encounter with the bearded man gave an added spring to my steps as I hopped up the steps and knocked on the door. It took seconds before it opened, "Come back for more?" Ashley looked up, noticing at once that I was not Rocco.

"You've been found out, lass." I moved past her, smirking. Finally, I wasn't the one caught red-handed. I might've enjoyed it too much, but that view from the higher ground is just so nice. "Don't worry, I come bearing gifts and tidings of joy," I scanned the apartment. So much nicer than my own. No wonder she thought my place was a shit-hole.

"What are you doing here?" the way she moved around the room screamed discomfort and guilt. She disappeared into her bedroom.

"I just told ya, I've got news." I set the box down on the coffee table before opening it up and grabbing one of the pastries for myself.

She peaked her head out, "And it couldn't have waited?"

I shook my head, "Far too important, Ash." I took a seat on her couch when she disappeared, "Besides I thought you were all about girl talk?"

At that she scurried out and sat beside me, "What happened?"

"Aren't you gonna have some breakfast?" I nodded to the box, "I bought 'em for you."

She grabbed one quickly and took a bite, not waiting to chew, "Fine, now tell me."

I finished the remainder of the croissant and licked my fingers, "Well, I got myself a date." The way her mouth hung open made be laugh, "Don't look so surprised now, might just hurt me feelings."

"Details," she set the food down, "Now."

I went ahead and told her the story, and I could feel that anxious and giddy feeling in my stomach. This was what having a girl friend was like. This was what having Ashley as a friend was going to be like. It wasn't as bad as I'd imagined, "So that's it. He's takin' me out Tuesday night." I grabbed another item from the box of goodies.

"That must've been what they were talking about," she finally started to nibble on her piece.

A confused expression pulled across my face when she didn't immediately explain, "What who were talking about?"

"Your boys." I cracked for a moment and the corners of my mouth turned up just the slightest bit. My boys. She must've noticed, because she got a ridiculous smile on her face, "They were speaking Russian to each other, only they were speaking so fast I could only understand bits and pieces."

"You speak Russian?" Ash was just full of surprises today.

"Dah." She laughed, "Not well though. At least not as well as the twins." She took another nibble, "It makes a bit more sense now that I know Murphy's taking you out." She didn't wait for the question this time, "I think they were arguing about you. You know, who got to take you out first?" I felt a surge of blush on my face. She shook her head, "Silly girl, didn't even need my help."

"Now you tell me about you and Rocco, right? That's how these things work, story for story?"

She laughed. She must've been a saint with how patient she was with me. It'd become obvious I didn't know how to be a girl, but she seemed only to find it amusing. "Oh, I'll tell you. But you've got to let me pick out your outfit for your little date?"

She waited for my answer as I considered the options. "Deal. But no heels."

"You know I can't make that promise, Christina," a devilish smile crossed her face. She looked utterly wicked. Like she could do anything, a complete wild card. That's when I knew. That's when I knew she'd be stuck with me for life.