Death Knows My Name (Memory Keepers) Read online

  I heard the chime that signaled incoming customers. I was ready to plaster my cheeriest “customer” friendly face on when I saw it was Michael. Isn’t my luck the best? I glanced over at the clock.

  “Hey, you’re early? Would you like a drink?” I tried to sound natural.

  “Yeah, I hate being late. I make it a habit to arrive early.” He was now in front of the counter and I fought the sneer that was tickling to take over my lips. How annoying. I’m late more often than not, big deal, dude. On time people are annoying enough, early birds were unforgivable. What were they trying to prove exactly? Did they want everyone else to look bad? I had zoned out mid-conversation and he was now watching me.

  “What can I make for you while you wait?” I tried to soften my exaggeration of the word by adding, “I promise I am good. Whatever it is will knock your socks off.” I smiled and threw in a wink. Hell, when all else fails, flirt your ass off. One of the rules I live by. I saw a small smile tug at the corner of his mouth. It was very charming. Lucky Tammy. Not that I wanted Michael or anything. I mean, only in the way any woman would want an attractive man. I mean, I loved Eric regardless of if we could be together or not, but I was a woman, and I damn sure was not blind.

  He wanted a white mocha Cappuccino. Since we weren’t busy, I told him to find a table and I’d bring it to him. We were practically empty. Besides the two older men in the middle of the seating area, Michael was the only other customer. I went to refill the two men’s regular coffees leaving the pot on their table for more refills. I sat Michael’s order in front of him along with the plate of two cinnamon muffins on top of it and took the seat across from him.

  “This is another attempt at an apology, but this time I brought a peace offering.” I removed the plate from his drink and I pushed one muffin toward him. “I rarely apologize twice, but it means a lot to Tammy. She’s crazy about you and since I’m not going anywhere, I figure you have to forgive me if you want to get close to Tam.”

  He raised a thick eyebrow. “Close to Tammy?” he asked.

  I leaned back. “Come on. She’s a knock out, she likes you, she’s nice, sweet, and an all around better fit for you than I am. Seriously, a moody rock star can’t have an even moodier bed, buddy. Rock Star 101, dude. You did read the manual, right?”

  He laughed and then went serious. His brows knitted together in thought. “She just seems so girl-like.”

  “Are you worried about the sex?”

  He coughed on his cappuccino as his eyes went wide. But before he could speak, I leaned forward to whisper to him as if I were sharing a secret.

  “If that’s the case, then you are in for a surprise. That girl is raw sexuality. She would blow you away.” I had no idea if this was true or not, but if it’s anything like guys then it’s the ones you’d least suspect that would have you ass over head while holding on to your ankles to the point that you could be the 6:30 on a clock and 6:45 if you aren’t that flexible.

  Michael just sat there staring at me.

  I shrugged. “What? I didn’t say the ‘it’s the ones you’d least suspect that would have you ass over head while holding on to your ankles to the point that you could be the 6:30 on a clock or 6:45 if you aren’t that flexible thing out loud, did I? Because I have this bad habit of saying very inappropriate things out loud instead of just thinking them—”

  Michael’s mouth was dang near on the floor. “Stop talking, please.” He said it with a hint of good humor and his cheeks were reddening. He was looking around as if checking for eavesdroppers. But we had none. I saw the other two customers leave about two minutes ago.

  “Crap, you really don’t have people skills. Devon tried to warn me that night when I first asked about you and then you told me, but man! You really don’t.” He laughed again. “I forgive you, just don’t say anything else about freaking 7:30—”

  “6:30. Well I guess you can do 7:30 but then unless she has long Broobee arms she couldn’t grab her ankles. But I get your point and I will stop talking now.” I shut my mouth, slightly embarrassed, and slumped down a little in my chair.

  That’s all it took for me to be forgiven by him—for me to make him uncomfortable while I rambled about clock positions during sex. Good job.

  The two lunchtime shift employees came in to cover my break and I asked Michael if he wanted to go somewhere else. He said he had a place that I would love. We walked the three blocks to Marigold’s bakery.

  “Go find a seat out on the deck and I will now bring you a cake that will knock your socks off,” Michael pointed to a set of French doors. It was warm outside now that it was noon, so I didn’t mind sitting out there. I found a seat on the edge of the deck and texted Tammy while I waited.

  He has forgiven me. Yay. ;-)

  Really? Yippee! How did you do it?

  Told him you were a super freak.

  What!

  LOL. It worked. He is interested and forgives me. You’re welcome.

  Oh My God!

  Gotta go he’s coming.

  Michael was headed over to the table carrying a tray of pure pastry heaven and little square samples of cake. A big grin spread across my face. I found myself bouncing slightly in my chair in anticipation. I saw a small, cocky smirk appear on Michael’s face. Okay, so he may be thinking that he still had a chance with me and that I was a little into him, but I was fully confident in Tammy’s seduction skills. She was a beautiful and available woman, so I was no big competition. I just wanted those little cake drops from heaven. Come to Momma, my cake babies!

  He set the tray down and it was like chocolate Mecca.

  Dear God, my mouth watered. I reached my hand out to snatch one of the little delights.

  “Don’t touch,” Michael commanded.

  I quickly pulled my hand back and grinned. “These look divine. I love chocolate.”

  “All women do,” he stated in a matter-of-fact way.

  “I don’t know. I have heard of one woman who can’t stand the taste of it. I am not sure if I believe it or not. Could be an urban legend or something. I’m not sure.” I rambled on as Michael divided and laid out the dessert spread.

  “Okay, try that one.” He pointed to a raspberry covered cake.

  “What is that?”

  “Taste it. Here.” He tried to feed me but I quickly grabbed the cake from his hand.

  “I can feed myself, thanks.” I popped the little square into my mouth. I wasn’t the type of girl who took dainty bites. Who has the time to be messing around with that? Honestly.

  “Ewl.” I scrunched up my face. “Cheesecake. I don’t like cheesecake.”

  He chuckled. “So, that eliminates these three. The one you popped entirely into your mouth was raspberry cheesecake. That one there is the citrus cheesecake and the brown is obviously the brownie cheesecake.”

  I scrunched up my face again. “See, cheese and chocolate just sounds wrong. What else you got on that tray?” I could tell I was annoying him slightly by not playing along. Maybe he thought he could sway me to change my mind with this dessert play. I mean, I suppose he was pulling out his sexiest moves here, but I wasn’t with it. I already told him how I felt, and besides, I already had Eric. Not really. We couldn’t be together, but I loved him. I know Michael didn’t know that so maybe I was being unfair. I should tell him. I shrugged mentally.

  “If you are trying to, you know, coerce me into sleeping with you it won’t work, okay, Michael? But if this is just a friendly thing then fine, I am cool with that.”

  “Because of Tammy?” He leaned back and crossed his arms.

  “No, because of me.” I paused. “And, yes, because of Tammy, too. She is a nice girl.”

  He nodded. “Yes, girl. I want you. A woman.”

  “I— Okay, yes, I may be a little more less girlish than
Tammy. And if you wanted a hook-up, then once upon a time I would have been the person for it. You wouldn’t have even needed these cakes. It would have been hot, sweaty, easy, the best night of your life and over at the first sign of daylight, but I am not there anymore. You deserve better. Tammy rocks, and I’m in love with someone else.”

  “Devon said you were single. Unless . . .” He trailed off. “You and Devon?”

  I am pretty sure I visibly gagged. “Hell no! Yuck. Just know there is someone else. You’re a cool guy and I like you. Can we just hang out and leave it at that?”

  He peered at me from under his heavy eyelids then reluctantly answered. “Fine. Yes. Shit! You can’t just tell a guy about the best sex of his life, dangle it in front of him, and then say access denied.” He huffed. “Tammy better be damn good in the sack.”

  I laughed. “If she isn’t, I will join you two and help.”

  He choked. “Really?”

  “Hell no!” I cackled. “Can I still eat the cakes?” I pleaded sweetly.

  He grinned. “This one is the triple chocolate mousse. I was saving it for last but the mood is blown anyway, unless you want the fig tart instead?”

  I took the little chocolate square. “I don’t eat figs.” I popped the whole chocolate cake square into my mouth. “Mmmm. Oh my God, Michael.” I closed my eyes while savoring every bit of it as it melted against my tongue. Pure bliss. A mouth orgasm would be the only way to describe it with any justice.

  Maybe I let out a soft moan. Hell, I don’t remember, nor did I care. I opened my eyes after the last tasty bit had dissolved in my mouth. Michael had that cocky, crooked, dopey, but attractive smile on his face.

  My arm was yanked and my ass was off the seat as I was hauled to my feet. Michael’s eyes widened in shocked protest. I tried to meet his gaze but it was trained at the person over my shoulder. I didn’t have to turn around to know who it was. Eric.

  Chapter 10

  “What the hell are you doing, Eric?”

  “Shut up, Mayne.” His eyes were still the gentler of the colors that his eyes could be, but the look on his face was barely contained ferocity that told me not to push it.

  Michael was now on his feet, his jaw tight and fists balled. “Dude, let her go.”

  “Sit. Down.” Eric spoke slowly, barely holding on to his composure.

  “It’s okay, Michael.” I was careful not to use any endearing terms or anything that might seem too familiar between us that would set this beast off. “He won’t hurt me.”

  I let Eric lead me off, away from the eyes openly gawking at the scene we had caused. I prayed no brave soul tried to play hero.

  When we were a safe distance away, I shrugged him off dramatically as I boiled over with too many emotions. The one that was winning was anger. “I don’t appreciate this at all! Being manhandled and told to shut up, Eric, what the hell is wrong with you?”

  “Then you should learn when it’s best not to speak.” His breath was shaky as ran his hand through his hair. “Shit. I’m Sorry. I was just at the end of my rope. That expression you made, it— Look, I am sorry. Did I hurt you?” He eyed me with concern.

  “I’m fine.”

  “You are mad.”

  “You think? You went caveman on me!”

  “I’m sorry, just promise to never make that face, or those sounds for that matter, in front of another man from now on if you want that man to continue taking breath in this life.”

  I felt my jaw drop open, appalled. “You wouldn’t call him for your jealousy!”

  “No. But the way he was looking at you, and what he was thinking, I would kick his human ass, and due to his injuries from the ass kicking, I would have to show him mercy by calling him.” His eyes softened as I fought a chuckle.

  My heart ached. Eric hadn’t abandoned me as I had come to believe.

  “Eric, I . . .” What could I say? I love you. I miss you. I want you. Nothing had changed. Those words wouldn’t make anything better. Knowing that we both still cared and always would made it all worse.

  Eric closed the gap between us, his eyes hungry. Desire coursed through me like an electrical current.

  “Mayne, please give—”

  “I need to go.” I placed my hand on his chest and backed him up. “I should go.” I was telling myself more than I was him.

  “Then go.”

  His hurt spiked through me but I couldn’t stop. Not when it would risk his life. I turned, peeking down at my watch. Damn it, I was late. I swung around one last time to see Eric but he was already gone.

  I returned from my break to a bunch of scowling faces. I tried to ignore them until I saw Devon’s.

  Shit. I don’t need this, too.

  “The office. Now.”

  My co-workers didn’t even try to hide their delight as Devon barked the order. A part of me, a huge one, wanted to stick my tongue out at them or flip them the bird. Instead, I obediently stalked after him.

  “I am so sorry I was late,” I said as soon as the door was closed. “This has been a horrible time for me and, wait, no. I won’t give any excuses. I was late and I am sorry. Won’t happen again.”

  “Bullshit. You are always late. I can’t keep taking it easier on you because we are close. My other employees are starting to notice.”

  “Oh God. Are you firing me?” Tears welled up in my eyes. This day kept getting better and better.

  “What good would that do? I’d still just end up giving you money to pay your bills.” He folded himself into his desk chair. “Besides, this place is half yours, too.”

  “Oh yeah, right. I offered to sign it all over to you. You do all the work here not me same with the bar.”

  “I told you no. Drop it.” He took a deep breath. “Please just stop being late all the time. It makes me look soft.”

  “I will try. I promise.” I covered my face as I asked my next question. “Um, I know I was late but can I make one phone call before I get back to work, please?”

  Devon threw up his hands. “Let me guess, you want to use my office and privacy.”

  “Please?”

  After he left, grumbling the entire way out, I called Tammy. I tried to set a date for drinks at State of Mine but she was having none of that. I couldn’t tell if she was anxious to hear about my lunch with Michael or what but she said she’d stop by during her lunch at two. That meant I was going to have to beg Devon for another break. I was such a loser and totally taking advantage of our bond.

  I missed the worst of the lunch rush, so I wasn’t really needed at the counter. After a bit of pretending to be a good employee, I headed back to the office to check if Devon needed anything. I may have been kissing up but only just a little.

  “Hey, boss, need a break?” I poked my head into his office.

  Devon frowned slightly, out of habit of hearing the boss word no doubt. “Don’t call me that. Are you offering to cover me?” he asked me in exaggerated shock.

  “Yes, sir, I am, in fact, doing just that.”

  “I like this new Mayne. Is Mr. Sex-capades from the other night responsible for this turn around?”

  I debated if I should tell him that Eric was no longer an issue. But wasn’t he? Today had proven that he hadn’t completely walked away like I’d thought. Besides, I was ecstatic that he hadn’t followed my request to the letter. I loved knowing that he had never really left me. This was all too difficult to explain to Devon.

  I sighed. “I guess you can say that. He helped me see the error in my logic and the way I responded by turning into a cave person.”

  He spread his hands in the universal ‘What the fuck?’ gesture. “Haven’t I been pointing this out for years? What, my words aren’t worth shit?”

  I laughed. “Nope, because what do you know? Besides,
this guy and I aren’t technically involved anymore.” I was going to end it at that but a previous thought hit me. “And we never had sex-capades, only oral.”

  “I think you should be told you have boundary issues. That was too much information.”

  “No. Too much information would be telling you the girth.” I started to hold up my hands to indicate the substantial size.

  “Ah!” Devon shouted as he jumped from his chair and flew out the door. “I don’t care!”

  I sat at his desk and went over the paperwork he had already started. Once I caught up on what he had already done, I continued where he left off. I let myself get absorbed in the task.

  There was no Eric, no Valience, Tammy, or Michael. It was just me and this stack of papers. I was just about finished up with what was left of Devon’s work when he poked his head in.

  “Keep your hands where they are and don’t move them at all.”

  I looked up, grinning. “I promise to behave myself. See, I even did the rest of your paperwork.” I held up a sheet of paper like a truce flag.

  “You rock! I knew I kept you around for a reason. Oh yeah. I came to tell you there is a smokin’ hot little redhead here looking for you.”

  “Oh wow, is it two o’clock already?” I asked, glimpsing at the clock as I jumped to my feet.

  “Who is she? She’s cute. You know I love redheads.”

  I nodded. “Yup. The rumor is she’s great in bed, too.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Let me guess who started that rumor.”

  I grinned. “It’s good for her ego and rep. It even has you more curious. I can see it in your naughty, little gleaming eyes. You want to find out for yourself if there is any truth to my suspicion. I know how the mind works.”

  Devon rolled his eyes again. “Says the girl who dropped out of college the first week.”