Chapter Five Hundred and Sixty Two
"Booked," Joey said decisively, hanging up the phone.
"Well done, sweetheart," Charlie said, kissing her cheek. "I'm proud of you."
"Look at us, a family in therapy," Ruby grinned.
Joey sighed and shook her head. Ruby squeezed her step-mother's hand.
"I'm proud of you too," she said sincerely. "When I went back into counselling, it really helped me. There's nothing wrong with needing help sometimes."
Charlie and Joey still weren't convinced that Ruby should have finished her sessions. They were concerned about her growing attachment to Romeo. They couldn't put their finger on it exactly but something wasn't quite right with their daughter. But when it came to Ruby, charging in was never a good idea. They had to tread carefully.
"Well, that's the idea," Joey said. "Hopefully this woman will help and then I'll stop being such a grumpy bitch."
She grinned, hoping to make them laugh but they didn't. Charlie stood up and hugged her. She told her she loved her. Joey wrapped her arms around her waist.
"And that's my cue to go to school!" Ruby decided, standing up and saying goodbye to her parents.
"Are you feeling okay to get back into the swing of things at the restaurant today?" Charlie asked.
It was the first day that Charlie wouldn't be around to help her.
"Yes, absolutely," Joey said, hoping she sounded more confident than she felt.
"I'll pop by at lunch time," Charlie promised.
"I'll look forward to it," Joey said, stealing a kiss.
"Claire's on shift is she?" Charlie asked. "And the new guy will be there?"
"Yep," Joey said brightly. "I think today is going to be a good day."
She kissed her again.
Romeo had fitted in a quick surf before school. He always tried to if he could, especially if he knew he would be unlikely to get the chance afterwards. And at the moment, he was doing more shifts at the restaurant than normal. Charlie and Joey had replaced Angelo surprisingly quickly but he was still learning the ropes. Romeo felt honoured to be considered so much a part of the team that he would be considered someone who could help a new person out.
He paused, walking out of the water when he spotted Ruby up ahead, looking extremely cosy with Casey. He couldn't quite explain how he felt. Uncomfortable? Jealous, perhaps? He was definitely confused, he knew that. He loved Indi. He adored her. But he also felt completely shut out of her new life. He spent pretty much every day with Ruby now and she made him special, wanted, cared about. She was interested in the things that he was interested in. She laughed at his jokes. She listened to him.
But right now, she was sat on the beach, snuggled up to Casey Braxton. He liked Casey. After some initial teething problems, the boys had become friends. However, Romeo didn't think that Casey was the right guy for Ruby. He didn't think he was good enough for her. Or perhaps it was just that he didn't want her to be with anyone but him. But he was with Indi. Did he want Ruby over Indi? Did he want them both? He had no idea what was going on in his head.
But regardless of Indi or his conflicted feelings and relationship status, he knew he could never be with Ruby, certainly not unless he was completely sure and he were to be completely honourable about it. Charlie and Joey would kill him. And one of them had genuine access to a gun! And the other one was even scarier when she got angry! No. Crossing Charlie and Joey would be terrifying. Plus, he could never disappoint them. He adored them. And he adored Ruby. And he adored Indi. That's what made everything so very bewildering.
He was about to walk on by when Ruby waved him over. He noted that Casey looked a little crestfallen at the interruption. Taking a breath, Romeo headed over to his friends. Quietly, Ruby looked Romeo, topless and wet, up and down. She didn't think she would ever get bored of looking at him. She didn't know why it had taken her so long to notice him before.
"Cutting it fine to get to school, aren't you?" he said.
"Says you!" Ruby joked. "At least we're dressed!"
He laughed and shook his wet hair, spraying them both and making both of them protest, Ruby in a much higher pitch than Casey.
"Did you get your assignment done?" Romeo asked more seriously to Casey.
"Yeah," Casey said awkwardly.
He was still embarrassed over the glimpse into his home life that Romeo had witnessed over the weekend.
"I've got it in my bag."
Romeo nodded.
"Well, I guess I'd better head to school," Casey said when the conversation dropped.
He liked Romeo and he really liked Ruby. But he still wasn't especially comfortable amongst his new school friends. They watched him go. Romeo sat down in his place.
"You looked pretty cosy," Romeo remarked.
Ruby smiled.
"He's a nice guy," she replied.
"I'm not sure your parents would be thrilled with you getting too close to him," Romeo said.
"Well, I think they're smart enough to realise that he isn't like his brothers," Ruby said. "Not that we're actually dating or anything."
"I think he wants to date you, Ruby," Romeo said.
Ruby eyed him curiously.
"Well, maybe I should date him," she said. "I mean, I'm not dating anyone else and I haven't in a while."
Romeo clenched his jaw and looked out to sea.
"What's the problem?" Ruby asked.
"Nothing," Romeo said. "I just… I'm not sure he's right for you."
He struggled with his own inner turmoil as he spoke.
"Why?" Ruby asked. "I thought you guys were friends."
"We are," Romeo said. "We are. He's a good guy. But you know his family. They're thugs. You don't want to get drawn into all that, do you? I mean, look at the state poor Joey's in right now. That's all because of his brothers and the world they're in. Charlie must arrest his family and friends every single day. Do you really want to be in a relationship with someone like that or someone linked to all that?"
"Well, maybe we shouldn't be judging him by all of that," Ruby said. "If we all judged everyone by their families in this town…"
Romeo nodded.
"Fair point," he agreed. "My own included. I just… I worry about you, Ruby. I care about you."
She smiled, taking his words to heart.
The day was going well so far. Claire was doing a brilliant job of supporting Scott who had fitted into their little team absolutely perfectly. He was funny and charming and a pleasure to work with. The customers absolutely loved him. She was very grateful that he had turned up to their relaunch. She was starting to miss Angelo less and less, although that in turn, made her feel guilty.
"Ooh!" Scott hissed her. "That's the guy I was telling you about!"
Joey paused and grinned.
"And either he's a stripper or…"
Joey laughed as Charlie walked into the restaurant with her colleague, Blake.
"Hey," Charlie greeted. "We're just on patrol so I thought I'd just stop in and say hi and see how you're doing."
She leant over for a quick kiss.
"Do you know Blake?"
Joey reached out and shook his hand.
"Blake, this is Scott," Joey introduced, knowing that her new barman would be eager for an introduction. "And this is Claire."
Claire approached, hearing her name as she came back from serving a table.
"Hi," she said.
"Hi," Scott said, eager to shake hands with the newcomer. "I'm new to the area."
"Oh, I'm fairly new too," Blake said, feeling nervous. "I've only been here for about six months."
"Six days," Scott grinned. "These guys took pity on me a couple of days ago!"
"Oh, hardly!" Joey said. "You sailed through your interview!"
Charlie pulled Joey away, leaving the boys to talk. She wanted to know how her girlfriend was doing.
"I'm okay," Joey promised. "I'm taking time out when I need it. And I'm enjoying being around people again."
"Okay," Charlie said, holding her hand. "Remember to call me if you need me."
"I promise," Joey said, stealing a kiss. "Hey… look at those two…"
She nodded in Blake and Scott's direction. The pair were talking rather animatedly.
"Oh, please let that happen!" Charlie said excitedly.
"You really like this kid, don't you?" Joey mused affectionately.
"I just remember what it was like to not feel sure of myself," Charlie said honestly. "It was easier for me because I had you. But he's young and he's alone. If we can help him and support him then I'd like to. And if he can meet someone, especially someone confident like Scott."
Joey pulled her into a hug.
"You're pretty special, you know," she said sincerely.
"Back at ya," Charlie replied.
They kissed.
"Are you okay?" Casey asked. "You've been a bit… I don't know, weird with me today."
He had approached Ruby at her locker. She had been fine with him this morning, close even. Now she seemed distant.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she said, plastering a smile on her face.
He wasn't completely reassured. He caught her looking over at Romeo. He sighed. Sometimes, he thought she liked him back. Sometimes, he was sure she was crushing on her taken friend.
"Well um… if you wanted another surfing lesson sometime?" he offered. "It was fun the other day. You know, until all hell broke loose."
She laughed.
"Yeah, that'd be good," she said. "I mean… I think so."
"Why only think so?" he asked.
"Well, Romeo kind of mentioned that perhaps I shouldn't hang out with you…"
Ruby regretted it the moment she said it. She wasn't even sure why she said it. She could kick herself for her desire for drama. But Casey looked frustrated and angry.
"Why?" he demanded.
"I don't know," she said casually, not sure how she could get out of her statement. "Just that you're a bit of a troublemaker."
Casey shook his head and immediately charged over to Romeo.
"I don't think he meant anything by it!" Ruby called urgently, hurrying after him.
Romeo was surprised when Casey threw him against his locker.
"Why the hell are you warning Ruby away from me?" Casey demanded.
"Um, maybe because of things like this?" Romeo replied.
"I thought you were my mate!" Casey said, a fistful of Romeo shirt in his hand.
Romeo pushed away from him.
"I am," he said. "So calm the fuck down."
"Don't tell me to calm down!" Casey snapped, shoving him hard in the chest. "And don't interfere with me and Ruby!"
"There is no you and Ruby!" Romeo said, shoving him back.
Ruby hovered in the background, half horrified and half thrilled that two guys were fighting over her. It ended abruptly when Liam hurried over and broke it up.
"What the hell are you doing, guys?" he demanded.
They both mumbled at him.
"I thought you were mates?" he said.
He'd been pleased that Romeo had taken the trouble to take Casey under his wing. He and Miles had literally just been talking about an assignment that Casey had handed in that Romeo had helped him with that had been on time and genuinely well written. He knew what it was like to have a tough time at school. He knew what it was like to be the one with a reputation that made people assume you were always going to do the wrong thing. But kids like Romeo and Ruby were helping Casey settle in. The last thing he needed was to start fighting.
"Nothing to say?" he said. "Well, maybe an after school detention will help."
Romeo protested. He had plans with Indi that evening. Liam ignored him.
"So, is that Blake guy single?" Scott asked.
Joey liked that he was direct and to the point.
"I don't really know him," she replied honestly. "But you could ask Charlie. Or better still, you could ask him."
He grinned.
"He's very cute," he said.
Joey chuckled.
"I never even knew this was a gay bar when I walked in the other night," he remarked.
"It isn't," she said.
"Really? I mean, there's you and Claire and Charlie and now me," he remarked. "Hey, maybe you should rebrand!"
Joey chuckled.
"This is a pretty open minded town but that might be taking it a bit far!" she said.
"How many gays are there in this village?" he asked.
"Well, there's us," Joey said. "And another couple, Watson and Kerri."
"Please let Watson be a Detective," he begged.
Joey grinned and nodded.
"She's a police officer," she confirmed. "One of Charlie's best friends."
"This place just keeps giving!" he declared.
Still smiling, she headed over to serve Elijah and his wife, who she hadn't actually met yet. She introduced herself and silently agreed with those who had already met her, Grace was beautiful and lovely. She took their order and headed back behind the bar to make their drinks.
"And who are they?" Scott asked.
He was eager to find out about everyone who entered the restaurant.
"That's Elijah and his wife, Grace," Joey said.
"And now I want the real story," Scott said with a grin. "Exes, secrets, everything!"
"You are too much!" Joey scolded him, laughing.
Ruby caught up with Romeo on his way out of school at lunch time. He looked awkward but slowed to meet her.
"Are you okay?" she asked him. "Things got pretty heated this morning."
"What did you say to Casey?" he asked. "Why did he go for me like that?"
"I didn't say anything," Ruby lied. "He was just asking to spend more time with me and I didn't know what to do. You got into my head, Romeo. The things you said to me this morning. You made me doubt him."
Romeo sighed and apologised.
"I didn't mean to mess up your friendship with Casey," he said. "I didn't mean to mess up my friendship with Casey. He's a good guy. And he has a really difficult life from what I've seen."
He frowned, thinking about what he had witnessed at the weekend. But thinking about that and knowing how vulnerable Ruby really was, he still didn't think those two worlds should meet.
"Hey, if you don't have plans, do you want to go for lunch?" Ruby offered. "I get a family discount at a little place by the beach?"
"I'm heading out for lunch if you want to join me," Charlie offered, approaching Blake at his desk.
He looked nervous. He always looked nervous. But he smiled and accepted. The attention she was giving him made him feel special. He admired Charlie. He wanted to be the kind of officer she was. He wanted to be respected like she was and as skilled as she was. He also liked the idea of becoming her friend if he was allowed to.
"Great," she said, leading the way out of the station and towards her car.
"Are we going to your restaurant?" he asked.
"Yeah, that's where I usually end up!" he admitted.
"It's nice," he said. "I mean, your restaurant's nice. But it's nice that you like checking in on your partner. How long have you been together?"
"Coming up to two years now," Charlie said. "But it feels like longer. In a good way."
He smiled.
"I'd love to have that," he said. "Meet someone I feel like I've always been with."
"Well, I think that Scott guy was making eyes at you!" Charlie teased.
She watched him blush.
"He was pretty nice," he admitted.
"Well, maybe he and Joey can both take a break at the same time and we can get to know him a little better," Charlie suggested.
"Oh, I'd be so embarrassed!" Blake cringed, putting his hands to his face.
She knew it was true.
"Sometimes in life you have to take risks," Charlie said. "I mean, I thought I was straight before I met Jo. She had to deal with all kinds of freak outs when we first go together. I didn't know up from down!"
"What the hell is this?" Sid said too loudly.
He was sat at a table in Bucktons' with Marilyn and had just received a link to his son's blog. But it was far from what he expected. The previous one had been a moving piece about bullying. He and Marilyn could not have been prouder. This one was something quite different.
"He's in one of my dresses!" Marilyn giggled. "I think he wears it better than me!"
But while Marilyn was enthralled by the blog, challenging gender stereotypes and norms, Sid had turned an angry shade of red.
"What the hell is wrong with this kid?" he demanded.
"What kid?" Joey asked, approaching their table with their food.
"My son," Sid said, throwing his phone onto the table.
"Dex has put up a blog about…" Marilyn began.
"Oh!" Joey said. "I saw it! It's brilliant! You should be so proud of him! He's such a clever boy!"
Sid did not look impressed.
"I thought it was great!" Marilyn said. "I think I should just give him that dress though. He looks better in it than I do!"
Joey laughed. Sid was still not amused.
"Why does he do it?" he demanded. "He's a weird kid anyway. He already gets bullied enough. He's only just been abducted and left for dead. And now he's dragging up and going online! He's just asking for it! Why does he want to be different?"
"Well, to be fair, Sid, I don't think anyone wants to be different," Joey said reasonably.
Sid felt suddenly awkward.
"But I think it's pretty brave that at such a young age, your son isn't scared of his own uniqueness," Joey continued. "He's embracing it and using it to his advantage. You should be proud of him, not ashamed. He's amazing."
She caught sight of Charlie arriving with Blake.
"You look annoyed," Charlie commented.
"I'm fine," Joey promised, greeted her with a kiss.
She welcomed Blake.
"I hope I'm not crashing," he said shyly.
"Not at all," Joey said. "In fact, Scott's due his break now. Maybe the four of us could have lunch together?"
Charlie laughed.
"You're as subtle as a brick through the window," she told her.
Ruby and Romeo arrived for lunch together, waving at Charlie and Joey with Scott and Blake as they settled at a table on the balcony.
"So, is Indi at Uni today?" Ruby asked, picking up a menu.
"Yeah, all day," Romeo said. "But we have plans after school. Or at least we did until I got detention. I texted her to say I had to cancel and I don't think she's very happy."
"It's not your fault," Ruby pointed out. "Casey went for you. What were you supposed to do?"
Romeo shrugged. He probably could have handled it better. And if he wasn't guilty of fighting, he was certainly guilty of thoughts he shouldn't be having.
"Thanks for always sticking up for me," he said. "And always seeing the best in me."
Ruby smiled affectionately at him.
"You're one of the best people I know," she said earnestly.
Having finished their lunch, Charlie and Joey slipped away on 'business', leaving Scott and Blake to talk. They were getting along even better than the girls had hoped. Charlie and Joey slipped into the back room, immediately falling into each other's arms.
"I think that went pretty well," Charlie said, between kisses.
"I think so too," Joey agreed. "And I think it's really cute that you've taken Blake under your wing."
Charlie blushed a little.
"How has the rest of your day been?" she asked. "You've been okay?"
"I've been fine," Joey assured her. "I met Grace today, you know, Elijah's wife?"
"Oh, yes. Is she nice?"
"Really nice," Joey said. "She actually opened up to me a little when he left for work. She openly told me that it was a marriage of convenience."
"She did?" Charlie said, surprised.
"But I think it's more than that for her," Joey revealed. "She seemed… sad."
Charlie sighed.
"I guess these things can get really complicated, can't they?" she said. "I feel sorry for her. Especially as the chances are, Elijah is still in love with Leah."
"And Leah is clearly still in love with Elijah," Joey agreed.
"Oh, I'm just glad I have you," Charlie said, wrapping her arms around Joey. "I do not miss the hideous world of dating. You are one hundred per cent the best thing to ever have happened to me."
Joey grinned and kissed her.
"You know, it's our two year anniversary soon," she said.
"I hadn't forgotten," Charlie assured her.
"What shall we do for it?" Joey asked.
"Leave it with me," Charlie said. "I have some ideas."
Next time… Bianca's girls' night goes awry, Romeo stands Indi up and Charlie and Joey get a big shock…!
