Here Comes Trouble (Nothing Special #3)(8)

“She’s boring and we still have to get through dinner and drinks.”

“You’ll be fine. Talk about work. About a happy case, not a fucked up case. Talk about that big one vice just solved and all those girls were returned to their families. You’re funny too, tell her some crazy shit you do at work. Next thing you know she’ll be pulling her panties down for you. Just talk.”

“I don’t wanna talk to her. I wanna talk to you.” Ruxs voice was low and deep again… almost sexy.

Green tried to ignore it. “You sound like a kid. I’m going to bed. See ya in the morning.”

“Wait! Wait!”

Green let his exasperation be heard. “What Mark?”

Ruxs let loose a soft chuckle. “You said it again.”

Green just sat there listening. Was he for real right now?

“Come up here.”

“What!” Green sat up straight.

“We’re at The Brick Bookhouse. Come on. It’s only fifteen minutes away,” Ruxs pleaded.

“I don’t give a fuck if it’s downstairs, Ruxs. I’m not gonna crash your date. How pathetic do you think that would make me look?”

“No it won’t.”

“Yes. It would. Besides how do you expect to get laid, dude, if I’m there? She’ll think you’re trying to do some kinky shit if you ask me to join you.” Green laughed.

“She ain’t gonna sleep with me. She’s one of those ‘gotta at least be date number five’ chicks. Just come on Green. I’ll buy your drinks and your food.”

“I already ate,” he said, bored.

“Come on, man.”

“No!”

“Please, Chris,” Ruxs said softly. “Please.”

Fuck. Why did their first names sound so good coming from one another? Green was already rising up out of bed. He opened his dresser and pulled out a simple white cotton tee.

“I can hear you getting dressed. Thank you. I’ll wait outside for you.”

“No, Ruxs. Go back inside and be with your date. I’ll be there in twenty.”

“Say my name again.” Ruxs teased him.

“Shut up, Armin.” Green smiled.

“Hey! You know I hate that name. Anyone else calls me that and I’ll punch them in their throat.”

Green could tell Ruxs was smiling. He hung up on him. Fuckin’ Armin Mark Ruxsberg. He couldn’t believe he was actually going. He pulled on some comfortable jeans and slipped his feet in his Jordans. He had no clue why he splashed his face with his brand new Azur aftershave, but he did. After running his fingers through his hair with a little product, leaving the long strands standing up and some falling in different directions, he flicked off everything and jogged down the metal stairs.

What the fuck am I doing? He’s on a date for Christ’s sake. He waited in the dim walkway at his front door. Hesitating. He’d told Ruxs, Mark, he was coming. Next thing he knew he was in his truck, roaring down the busy street, headed downtown.





Date From Hell




“Uhn huh.” Ruxs said again for the hundredth time, tipping back his draft beer. It was the only sound he’d been able to get in edgewise. He looked at his watch and back towards the door again. Where is he? He’s better not have lied to me. Ruxs knew that wasn’t the case. They didn’t lie to each other… ever.

“So. Yeah. I was so excited to get transferred to records ya know. Because everyone has to come down there. I get to talk to everyone and get the scoop on everything going on. I consider my department the hub or the communications center.” She giggled and it sounded like nails on a chalk board. “And it’s so easy. I get to leave pretty much anytime I feel like it. Someone puts in their request and I just get to it the next day, sometimes. But I try to be there most of the time. It’s not just me in there. It’s me, and Fowler, and Christianson, and Veracruz, and —.”

“Yeah. I know. I’ve been down there.” Ruxs cut her off, just refraining from rolling his eyes. Why does she feel the need to fill every moment of silence? Ruxs picked up the menu and she followed suit. Maybe she’ll be quiet for a minute.

“I know. I’ve seen you down there.”

So much for wishful thinking.

“I love to see you coming down the hall. You’re so big and have so many muscles.” She practically bounced in the booth across from him. “I was wondering when you were going to get around to asking me out. I mean, geez. A girl can only flirt so hard.”

Really? Did I ask you out, or did you bamboozle me?

She was pretty enough. Sure. But she was a motor mouth and she seemed to be trying too hard. Ruxs was a real laid back kind of guy. He didn’t need someone to work double-time to impress him. He liked easy and smooth.

“Good Evening, Mark.”

Jesus. Just like that. Smooth like butter. Ruxs looked up from his menu at the deep mellow voice that rolled over his body and settled deep inside him. His smile was so large, his partner ended up mimicking him. Green’s smile was wide. His perfect white teeth shone bright in the dim restaurant.

Ruxs jumped up and before he knew it he’d hugged his partner like he hadn’t seen him in weeks. Like he wasn’t with him all damn day. But what was even crazier. Green hugged him back, chuckling softly in his ear. “Hey, bud. You okay?”