Here is the next update for this story. I'm sorry for such an inconsistent posting schedule. Things have definitely been hectic with my life, but I hope ya'll enjoy it.
To address the review asking why this was listed as a Babe HEA, this story is a work in progress but it will eventually end with a Babe HEA.
Chapter 11
Ranger POV:
I stepped off the plane in Newark. Making my way through the terminal, I found Tank waiting for me. He nodded to me, and I nodded in return. Ten months gone; four seasons passed. A lot had changed but a lot hadn't. There were things I hoped had changed at home and things I hoped that didn't. A face with curly brown hair and crystal blue eyes flashed in my mind. I shook the thought away as I came to a stop in front of Tank.
My duffel in hand, I followed him out to the parking lot. I tossed my bag into the backseat and climbed into the passenger seat. Tank slid into the driver's and shot me a look.
"Sitrep?"
"Don't worry I didn't run your baby into the ground," he replied. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye.
"Anything I should know?" I asked. He glanced at me before turning back to the road, not answering. "You hiding something, Tank?"
"No, I got sucked into the middle of your shit. I don't want to tell you, but I don't really have a choice."
"Sucked into the middle of my shit?" I asked, turning to look at him.
"You left me to deal with the aftermath and the subsequent tornado named Stephanie."
"What happened?"
"What didn't happen is the question." He scoffed. "I'm not sure what you did but she's a woman scorned. I think if she sees you again, she might dismember you."
I raised an eyebrow. "And no, I don't want to elaborate anymore. She left you a letter before she left."
"She left? Where did she go?"
"She moved out of the city."
"Where?"
"I'm not getting further involved in this situation."
"When?"
"About two months after you left. She finally stopped working in Trenton about two months after she moved. She's come back for holidays and family events."
I didn't ask any more questions on the drive. I was too busy stewing over the situation. Steph left. She moved out of Trenton.
I hadn't expected her to move away from Trenton. "Where did she move too?" I asked, my voice deeper than normal. Was I the reason she left? Was I that bad of a memory for her that she had to leave Trenton to get away from the thought of me?
"Philly. She's made a name for herself there."
"So, you're still keeping tabs on her then?" I asked.
"No. She threatened to sue Rangeman for harassment. She found every tracker you've ever put on her and left a few surprises for us along the way."
I didn't know whether to be pissed or impressed. I stewed on it on the way to Rangeman. I slid out, grabbing my bag from the back. I watched Tank pull something folded up out of his pocket. He handed it to me.
"The letter from Steph," he said before opening the stairwell door and disappearing. I stood for a moment, the letter in one hand and my bag in the other. I walked to the elevator, too much on my mind to walk up the stairs. I took the elevator up and stepped off on Seven. Stepping into the apartment, I flicked on the foyer light. I realized just how cold it was here, lonely.
I set the bag down and walked to the kitchen. I found a bottle of scotch and a glass. I poured three fingers and shot it back. Wiping my mouth, I set the glass on the counter next to the letter. Ranger was scrawled in her familiar tilted cursive script.
I poured another and pulled up one of the bar stools. I opened the letter and pulled it out.
Ranger.
I don't know how the hell to write this. We screwed up, the both of us. I shouldn't have blamed you; the blame falls on the both of us. Me, for thinking a man like you would want me for more than a night, and you for having your head up your ass.
My heart felt like someone had run a knife through it from that simple paragraph. I had fucked up good and proper. Maybe, just maybe I would be able to fix this.
Maybe that's not the right way to approach this. Ranger, I don't want any type of relationship with you. I learned from my mistake of wanting unavailable men. I wish it would have been different between the two of us.
I poured a second glass and shot it back, relishing in the burn.
I didn't leave Trenton because of you. I left because I needed a fresh start. You probably already know where I am, but don't contact me. That's the one thing I'll ask of you. I want a fresh start.
The last thing I had wanted to do was send Steph packing. That's not at all what I wanted to do. I was afraid and I said hurtful things, things I wish I could take back.
I'm sure the Tank will tell you everything that happened while you were gone, I might have been a little bit pissed. I hope you get back from your mission safely.
Move on with your life Ranger. I hope you find something or someone that makes you happy.
Sincerely
Stephanie
I picked up the glass and swirled the amber liquid. I watched it move in the glass, the darker tones reminding me of how Stephanie's hair shone in the sunlight. How had I not realized that I was in love with her earlier. The simplest things brought her to the front of mind, if she ever even left. I didn't want to think anymore, I didn't want to feel. I shot it down again before buzzing Ella. "Welcome back Ricardo. What can I help you with?"
"Is there dinner in the breakroom?" I asked her.
"I'll bring you up a plate."
"Thank you, Ella."
Two minutes later she was letting herself in. She walked into the kitchen, finding me with another full glass. She clucked her tongue at me. "Eat, I don't want to be cleaning up your puke off the floor in the morning." She patted my shoulder. "Call your mother and let her know you're okay when you get a chance."
I nodded, taking another sip of my drink. She walked out of the kitchen, and I heard the door shut. I unwrapped the plate she brought up, revealing tamales, one of my favorite comfort foods. I didn't know how Ella did it, but she always knew when I needed some childhood comfort food.
Waking up in the morning, I stretched. I found a bottle of scotch on my nightstand and the letter next to me. A pang went through my heart by just looking at the letter. I needed to find Steph and talk to her. I knew she was in Philly. I should respect her wishes but I'm not a good enough man to do that.
I pulled on my boxers and walked into my office. I folded the letter back up and put it in my drawer. I opened my laptop and started a search.
By the time Ella had brought up breakfast it was finished. I sat at my desk eating my omelet and scanning the search. I know she asked me to leave her alone, but I couldn't. I had to make this right. If there was one thing I had realized since I left was that I was an asshole and that I was pretty sure I was in love with Steph.
Her address in Philly was a PO box. I drummed my fingers against the desk. Was there anyone I could talk to? Maybe Mary Lou? Steph's best friend wouldn't open up to me. She would probably smack me with a rolled-up Cosmo.
I drummed my fingers, before pausing again. That man I saw her with. The one that bought Sonny's. Maybe he would have something to say.
I stood walking to my bedroom. I slipped off my boxers as I turned the shower on. I peeled the bandage off my ribs and retrieved a waterproof one after making sure the wound wasn't infected. I stepped into the shower, a sigh escaping me as the warm water ran over my sore muscles.
XXXXXX
I parked the turbo in front of Sonny's and stepped out. The stitches in my side pulling slightly from the movement. I should have taken a different car, one that it didn't take so much effort to get out of. Walking inside there was only one person behind the counter and no customers. It was the man I had seen her with. He glanced at me before turning back to the inventory he was putting away.
"How can I help you?" he asked.
"I wanted to talk to you," I answered.
He paused again, turning halfway, making his body a smaller target. His eyes slid to me, assessing. They were cold and calculating, blue. A man that had heard those words before and not in a good way.
"Is that right?" He asked.
"My name is Ranger Manoso."
He turned fully now, pinning me with a glare. "Is that right now?" He asked, crossing his arms over his chest. Did he only speak in three-to-five-word sentences?
"Yes."
"Well then, get the fuck out of my shop!" he said, answering my mental question.
I raised an eyebrow. "Excuse you?"
"You heard me," he said, this time a menacing growl. It might have worked on anybody else.
"Look, I just want to ask about Stephanie."
"What a coincidence. That's why I want you gone. Getting a look at you now, I know why Stephanie doesn't want anything to do with you."
"Is she okay?" I asked, trying to keep the malice from my voice and stay calm.
He paused, staring at me. "If she wanted you to know that she'd let you know herself."
"I know. I fucked up with her."
He chuckled. "That's the damn understatement of the century. She doesn't want you in her life anymore. I suggest you move on."
"Fuck, what do you want to hear? That I'll get on my knees and beg for her forgiveness? I'd do anything to talk to her for a few minutes."
"Look, you're not going to get any sympathy from me. Leave her alone. I believe she made herself clear before you left. You were a piece of shit mentor and friend. You don't deserve to lick her boots."
"Well thank you for the opinion I didn't ask for," I replied. "How the hell would you know what kind of mentor or friend I was?"
"When I met her, she was afraid of her gun and working in a profession where she gets shot at or assaulted on a regular basis. A good friend and mentor would have helped her, but you didn't. You kept her from getting better because you wanted to be her knight in shining armor. You wanted to keep her dependent on you."
"Fuck you!" I snapped.
"Out!" he barked. I shook my head.
I turned on my heel.
"Leave her alone," he said.
"Can't make me." I replied over my shoulder before the door shut behind me. Can't make me? What the hell am I a child? I muttered to myself.
Sitting in the Turbo, I ran a hand through my hair and started the car. I would start making calls to my contacts in Philly. I had to at least make sure she was happy. Maybe then I could drop it.
I shook my head at myself. Maybe I could talk to her. Apologize, and tell her my feelings. I knew I was probably fooling myself, but I had to try.
Jay POV:
I watched as Manoso walked out the door. My hand drifted to my phone, but I paused before dialing Steph's number. What the hell was I supposed to tell her? It was eight in the morning, and I knew she was already awake. I didn't have a choice but to call her and ruin her morning.
Picking up the phone I dialed her number. She answered on the second ring. "Morning," she said with a smile.
"Morning Steph," I said, not quite as jovial.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Does anything have to be wrong for me to call you?"
"No, but your voice doesn't sound right," she answered. I heard someone speak in the background. Shit, she must be with Blake.
"We can talk later Steph…" I started.
"No, just tell me what's going on," she said.
"I got a visitor in the shop this morning…"
"That's not nothing out of the ordinary. You run a business."
"It was Ranger."
"Ranger? What the hell was he doing there?"
"He wanted to find out where you were. He says he wants to talk to you."
"He can go fuck himself!"
"I pretty much told him the same thing."
"Fuck! Did he act like he knew where I was?"
"No, but it wouldn't be hard to find out if he did some digging."
"He probably already has." She sighed. "Thank you for calling me. I'll keep an eye out for him."
"I'm sorry you've got to deal with him still."
"I figured he'd catch on that I didn't want him around." She sighed again. "We should get together and have lunch. I've got to come into Trenton for my niece's birthday party next week."
"Sounds like a plan then. Just send me the date."
"Let me know if Ranger comes back around and I'll deal with him."
"Steph."
"Jay."
Steph POV:
Blake sat in the passenger's seat, snacks in his lap. I raised the camera again to take pictures. "So, this is your job?"
"This is part of my job."
"So, this is the part of the job that you don't get shot during?"
"Well… Not usually."
He raised an eyebrow. "Well, okay then."
"Jobs aren't fun unless it gets the adrenaline pumping!" I laughed softly. He rolled his eyes at me.
"Not everybody is an adrenaline junky." He chuckled, making me laugh.
I raised the camera up again, snapping pictures of the cheating husband. I glanced through them before nodding. "This is an easy one. No danger. Maybe some metal scarring but not dangerous."
He turned halfway in the seat to look at me. He shook his head and popped a chip into his mouth. I lowered the camera and glanced at the pictures I had taken. There were about a hundred of them, they showed both the woman's and the cheater's faces. There was no doubt. I would go home and print these pictures and meet with my client and her lawyer. This was the proof they needed to file for divorce and to fulfill the terms of the prenup. With this proof, she would get everything, and he would get nothing.
I turned off the camera, putting the lens cap on and settling it in the bag. "So that's it?" he asked.
I nodded. "Yep. I've gathered the rest of what I needed today. When I meet with them, they'll take this and give me the rest of the fee."
He nodded in understanding. "I'm going to assume you make more than my meager teacher's salary a month than I do in a year?"
I glanced at him. "That's not a problem is it?" I asked him with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm a trust fund baby." He laughed. "It doesn't bother me at all."
I rolled my eyes at him. I glanced at my watch. It was the middle of the afternoon. Too late for lunch but too early for dinner. "Soooo…." Blake said. "Want to come back to my place?"
I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel. "Can I use your computer and printer?"
"Of course. Mi casa, su casa." He grinned.
I nodded, taking a left instead of a right. Blake lived near the river, in one of the more upscale neighborhoods. He had a 2500 square foot penthouse apartment overlooking the river. Every now and then I spent the night at his place, but we mostly stayed at mine since he claimed he liked to spend time in my cozy apartment.
I parked in the visitors spot in the underground garage and slid from the driver's seat. I opened the second door to pull out the camera bag and my overnight bag. I always kept one in the car.
Blake bagged up our trash and the leftover food and waited for me to lock up. Blake waited until I stepped up beside him and wrapped his arm around my waist, I let my head rest on his shoulder, and I smiled softly up at him. Then it hit me. We were in a relationship. We were in a fucking relationship, and I hadn't realized it.
I felt a ball of panic rise in my chest. Did he know? Did he realize it earlier and not tell me? How was I supposed to deal with this? Was I supposed to say something? I calmed myself down. Why ruin a good thing? Stepping into the elevator with him, I told myself that when it came up, we would talk about it, but for now I would leave it alone.
