Chapter Two : A Roadhouse and an Agreement.
Crowley kept an eye on Elizabeth for most of the day. He was trying his best to be discreet about it. His new office was across the hall from Bobby Singer's office. He had left his office door open just wide enough that he could see Elizabeth sitting at her desk working.
He watched every little look that washed across her face as she worked. He felt himself smile as she twirled her long hair around her fingers and sipped on her coffee, he noticed every little expression she made. Though most of the looks that she made were looks of boredom and annoyance, especially when she had to take a call. He had never thought that someone could look so pretty when they were irritated.
He wanted to talk to her so badly. To tell her that he still wanted to see her. To let her know that she'd been all he'd had on his mind after they'd had coffee the night before. To let her know that he wanted her if she'd let him have her.
He knew that it wasn't the best idea in the world, wanting to be with her. He wasn't an idiot. He knew that Bobby Singer couldn't stand him. For good reasons really. Crowley hadn't gotten to where he was in the business world by being a nice guy. He'd been selfish, back stabbing, and lying to pretty much anyone that stood in his way when it came to a promotion, for years now. All just to get as close to the top as he could.
He didn't even really need to work. He had more than enough money to his name to live off of for the rest of his life. His mother had left behind a large family fortune that had been split right down the middle between Crowley and his younger sister Bella. Crowley had chosen to work despite his good fortune though.
He felt useless just sitting at home doing nothing. He needed to work and he needed to give his work all he had. He had always been an overachiever. Even if his less than friendly work habits had given him a pretty nasty reputation.
He knew that his reputation had followed him from New York to here in South Dakota. It was no secret that Bobby Singer hated him and thought that he was nothing more than a power hungry smug jerk. Crowley knew that he was too smug sometimes and he was power hungry, but there was more to him than that. He knew that Bobby had made up his mind though. Bobby would never allow him to get anywhere near his daughter.
To be honest though he didn't really care what Bobby Singer wanted. Maybe he really was selfish, but he wanted what he wanted and he intended to have it. Elizabeth was the first woman he'd been so insanely attracted to in years.
He had tried dating after his divorce though it had always been against his will. His younger sister had set him up on more than a few dates, but he just couldn't find it in him to have any interest in the women he'd gone out with.
Elizabeth had taken him by surprise. The attraction he felt towards her wasn't just sexual, there was something more going on there. Something he didn't quite understand. Her smiles, her flirty nature, the way she had listened to the ugly information about his divorce and hadn't been scared off, had all been so perfect. She had opened up to him in return showing him that she had been hurt by love too. And then she had given him her number letting him know that she wanted to see more of him. She was a dream come true for him.
Crowley stood up from his desk as he noticed that Elizabeth had gotten up from her desk and was walking away moving out of his line of vision. He got up sticking his head out the door as he realized that she was heading down the narrow empty hall towards the storage closet. He watched her go in shutting the door behind her before he made his way out of his office.
The office building that Singer Industries operated out of was much smaller than Crossroads Industries in New York. This building was only three stories if you didn't count the basement, and was located downtown. Though the city's downtown was so small compared to any of the other downtown areas Crowley had seen in his life.
The Singer Industries building was technically the main office for several scrapyards (all named Singer Scrapyard) throughout the northern part of the US. Bobby Singer had turned his little home run scrap yard into a franchise of sorts. It had grown all so fast that Bobby Singer couldn't keep up with the demands.
That was why Crowley had been brought in. He'd been making deals and heading sales teams to buy up scrap metal from car dealerships and other businesses where metal materials could be found for years now. Being selected to become Singer's right hand man had been a big promotion for him.
If only he could get along with his new business partner. Crowley was sure though that pursuing Elizabeth Singer wasn't the best way to get in Bobby Singers good graces.
Crowley glanced around the empty hallways noticing that no one was around and nobody was going to walk out of the closed office doors, before he slid into the storage closet as well.
He widened his eyes as he realized the first thing he noticed when he stepped into the closet was Elizabeth's gray skirt covered backside. He averted his eyes away knowing that she did not need to catch him gawking at her butt.
Elizabeth was standing up barefoot on a step stool her black pumps were laying on the ground beside the stool. She mumbled cursing slightly as she searched the higher shelves for the printer toner. This supply closet was a ridiculous unorganized mess. Which was just another sign that everything at Singer Industries was a mess.
She looked away from the shelf as she heard him clear his throat. She swallowed the lump in her throat as she spotted Crowley.
Great...just the guy she did not want to see.
She still wanted him, god it was killing her just how badly she wanted to be with him. To feel as flirty and fun and as excited as she'd felt with him last night. He was so perfect for her, intelligent, kind, a perfect gentlemen. Her dream guy really.
She knew though that it was impossible for her to ever have any sort of relationship with him though. Her dad would murder her if she gave in to her still developing feelings for Crowley. Her father could barely stand the sight of Crowley, he would never allow his only child to fall for the guy.
Crowley was the first to speak as she finally found the toner and climbed down from the step stool. "So even though I know your last name now, am I still allowed to call you ?"
Yes just say yes dammit don't be an idiot, her mind was screaming at her. But the only words she could work out of her mouth was "I'm not sure."
The two stood in the tiny supply closet in silence for a moment before Elizabeth spoke again wanting to explain herself. Wanting to tell him why they just couldn't be together.
"I'm sorry. My dad he would go postal if we ever...if I...we did...this, what we want. If I let myself be with you. It just, it would be a huge disaster." Elizabeth began to babble wanting to get it all off her chest. Even if it was breaking her heart to tell him this.
Crowley took her by surprise speaking up in a firm but reassuring tone. "It's not about what your dad wants Liz."
Elizabeth sighed closing her eyes for a moment before opening them again looking at his face. The amount of desperation she saw on his handsome face was killing her.
He spoke again reaching out and placing a gentle hand on her right shoulder. "It's about what you want love. What do you want to do ?"
She sighed wanting to say yes, wanting to tell him that she wanted him no matter what anyone else thought. She shook her head sighing. "Just please Crowley. Just give me a moment to think. I need time to think. I'll give you an answer I swear. Just give me the rest of the day to sort what I'm feeling out."
And with that she shoved her shoes back on and left the supply closet fighting the urge to turn back the entire time. Why was she such a coward ?
Elizabeth loosened the grip on her steering wheel as she pulled into the dusty gravel parking lot of Harvelle's Roadhouse. She got out slamming the door behind her as she walked through the empty slightly uneven parking lot.
The roadhouse was a good forty minute drive outside of town. Elizabeth knew as soon as she got off work that this was the place she needed to be. She would get her answers here.
She opened the front door walking in. She smiled as she heard her aunt's voice. "We're closed. We don't open for two more hours."
"Well I'm not here for the drinks Auntie Ellen." Elizabeth said causing the older women to look up from behind the bar.
Ellen Harvelle smiled as she saw her young niece make her way towards the bar. Ellen had been the late Karen Singer's older sister. Her only sibling. Which made her Bobby Singer's sister in law and Elizabeth Singer's only aunt.
"Hey there. Now Elizabeth Ellen Singer, how long has it been since I saw you. A month at least ? Where have you been, have you been too busy to come by and see your only aunt" Ellen greeted a slightly scolding tone to her voice.
Elizabeth had been running to her Aunt Ellen for guidance as long as she could remember. Though Ellen and Bobby didn't get along at all. Of course Bobby Singer didn't get along with most people.
Ellen had been the only female figure ever around in Elizabeth's life. Elizabeth had gone to Ellen for advice on everything and anything, for as long as she could remember. If Elizabeth knew that she couldn't go to her father then she went to her aunt. It just turned out that she could barely ever go to her father with any of her problems. So she always ended up here.
Elizabeth sat at the bar not surprised as a sleepy looking Ash made his way over to her. He spoke up holding out an unopened beer to her. "Hey Lizzie, want a drink ?"
Ellen let out an annoyed sigh speaking up for her niece. "Ash, you know Liz doesn't drink. Not anymore."
The man widened his eyes remembering. "Oh yeah...damn. Sorry Lizzie."
Elizabeth watched the man disappear heading into the employees only area shutting the door behind him, leaving just Ellen and her alone in the bar.
Elizabeth averted her eyes away trying to hide the shame on her face. Mentioning her past with alcohol always made her feel sick and guilty. It made her feel like garbage when it was brought up.
She looked up as her aunt spoke. "Jo isn't around honey. She's out job hunting. She's trying to say that she doesn't want to work here with me again. She'll be back here in a few weeks at the most though. Once she calms down."
She nodded her head at the mention of her younger cousin Jo. Jo wasn't much younger than Elizabeth and the two women had grown up together. They were like sisters.
"I came to see you actually. I...I mean my friend. She has this problem. And I don't know how to help her with it." Elizabeth blurted out not missing the knowing look on her Aunt's face.
"Uh huh...does this friend have a name ?" Ellen asked continuing to polish the bar as she spoke.
"It's not important." Elizabeth responded as she took her light cardigan off letting it lay on a bar stool next to her.
"Does this problem concern a boy ?" Ellen asked trying not to smile at her niece.
Ellen hoped it was a man. Her niece needed a man and not just any man, a good one. Most of Elizabeth's exes had been pretty horrid, and Andy, Elizabeth's last ex had ruined Elizabeth completely. His betrayal had been the final nail in the coffin of Elizabeth's trust in the opposite sex. The girl had fallen to pieces after him and she still hadn't picked all the pieces back up.
Elizabeth spoke spilling her heart out to her aunt. "Yeah he's more of a man than a boy though. He's in his forties and he's divorced. Not recently divorced but he's been hurt by it. He still hasn't recovered from all the hurt."
She noticed the disapproving look on her aunts face before she spoke again trying to ignore it. "And my friend. Her dad hates the guy, just can't stand him. But he hasn't seen the sides to this guy that my friend has. This guy is just so wonderful. He's intelligent, and sophisticated , and just so perfect. She wants him so bad and he wants her. Her dad though he would freak out on both of them if he found out."
She let out a breath before stopping the whole my friend lie. "It's just that I can't do it...I have no idea what to say. I'm so conflicted about it all. Do I follow my heart and go for him even if it's a complete betrayal of my father's wishes, or do I stand by my dad and ignore what I feel for this guy ? I don't think I can let him go. He's everything I want ,and it's so wrong."
Ellen gave the girl a look of understanding. Bobby Singer had always been so tough when it came to his only child. He had spent so long protecting her from every little thing, and raising her like that had created a scared young lady who questioned every decision she had to make. It drove Ellen crazy that Bobby still treated his daughter like a child instead of an educated, pretty, and independent young woman.
Ellen spoke hoping that she could push Elizabeth out of her comfort zone. "Family is very important honey."
Elizabeth sighed feeling defeated and still so conflicted , until she heard her aunt speak again continuing her statement. "But the heart wants what the heart wants. If you want this man then go for him and let everything else fall into place. Don't let your father make your decisions for you. At the end of the day you're the one that has to live with the choices you make, not your daddy."
Elizabeth nodded feeling a sense of relief wash over her. Ellen was right. If she wanted Crowley just as badly as he seemed to want her then she shouldn't let her dad's opinions hold them back.
She stood up grabbing her cardigan off the stool and shoving it back on. "Thank you so much auntie. I think I know what to do now."
Ellen gave her a smile before she spoke up a motherly tone to her voice. "You better bring this man to meet me some time. I have to give him my seal of approval."
Elizabeth smirked slightly not surprised by this comment. Her aunt's seal of approval wasn't an easy thing to earn. She just hoped that Crowley could charm his way into winning Ellen's approval.
Elizabeth entered her studio apartment taking her shoes and her cardigan off as she walked into the apartment. She shut the door locking all of the locks after she flipped on the light switch.
She made her way across the room to the kitchen counter. She placed her purse on the counter before she opened it finding her cellphone. She turned the phone on frowning down at it. No missed calls.
She made her way over to her coffee table smiling a little bit as she spotted the phone book. There was always a chance that Crowley's number was in the phone book right ?
She went back to the counter and her phone as she flipped through the book searching through the M section. Until she finally spotted it. He was the only one listed in the phonebook under that name. McLeod, Crowley. It was a strange name. Surely there couldn't be more than one Mr. Crowley McLeod in this town.
She stared at the phone and the listed phone number for a moment trying to work up her nerves. She diled the number resisting the urge to hang up.
This was ridiculous it was like she was a teenage girl calling her crush completely terrified that he would actually pick up, all over again.
Elizabeth let out a slight nervous sigh as she heard his familiar voice on the other end. "Hello."
She stood speechless for a moment as she heard him speak again sounding a little annoyed . "Hello...hello...listen I'm going to hang up. I don't know if this is a prank call or some sort of telemarketing thing, but if you don't say anything I'm going to hang up."
"Hi Crowley." Elizabeth finally said hoping that she didn't sound too nervous. She couldn't manage to muster up any flirty tones to her voice like she had the night before.
"Elizabeth. I didn't remember giving you my number." Crowley responded. He sounded happy to hear from her.
To be honest he had thought that the conversation they'd had in the supply closet today had been the end of any chance of a relationship between them. He didn't expect her to call him and it worried him. What if she was only calling to turn him down.
"I found it in the phone book...we need to talk." She announced causing him to let out a slight chuckle.
She could imagine the smirk developing on his face as he spoke. "We are talking. That's usually what takes place over the phone love."
She rolled her eyes ignoring the sarcasm in his voice. She couldn't ignore the way her knees weakened as he called her love though. The sound of his voice did things to her. That accent was almost too much for her to handle. How did his accent manage to turn her on so much ?
"I've been thinking about earlier and I...I made my decision." She said.
She could hear him let out a nervous sigh on the other end of the phone before she spoke up. "I want you. I want us to try a relationship."
"Liz love you have no idea how happy that makes me. I promise you aren't going to regret giving me a chance." He responded.
She nodded her head even though she knew he couldn't see her. "I have some conditions though. If we're going to try this then I need to make a few rules."
He didn't say anything in response so she continued her statement. "This can't be some fling. I want a serious relationship."
"Of course. That's what I want too." He said easing some of her insecurities.
She spoke beginning to grow a little uneasy. "My dad can't know. Not yet at least. Not until we find a good way to tell him."
Crowley sighed knowing that she had a point. He really didn't like the idea of keeping this a secret. If he cared about her and she cared about him then there was nothing shameful about it.
He knew that her dad would probably kill him if they just announced that they were dating though. Bobby Singer saw Crowley McLeod as an enemy. If Bobby Singer found out just what Crowley felt for Elizabeth then it would only equal disaster.
"Okay. That seems fair." Crowley agreed not missing the relieved sigh she let out.
The now couple stood in silence for a moment before Crowley spoke asking her a question. "So tomorrows Friday. Can I take you out on a date ?"
Elizabeth couldn't help but to smile as she answered him. "Yes. Yes you can."
She couldn't help but to feel so happy about this all. She knew what they were doing wasn't the best idea, but it felt so right.
She just hoped that they could make this work.