Frankie Morales-Fire

Chapter 4

T/W: Mentions prostitution and mild anxiety attack.

**
Against my better judgement, I start loosening up with Frankie. Of course, I still don't completely like or trust the guy.

Why the hell should I? He still refuses to tell me what he and his buddies are up to. I'm certain it's illegal.

Anything where people are carrying around large amounts of cash, it's usually not from anything squeaky clean. Not that I really give a shit. I just don't want my daughter hurt or worse because of some douchebag who wants to get inside my pants.
***
"I thought you didn't want to get involved with that douchebag?" Kayla is staring at me as we finish up the bookwork for this last pay period.

"Who says we're involved?" I snap.

"Um, well, he's with you when you're not working. And he's also hanging around here pretty much every day, especially if you're here, too."

"We haven't slept together yet. Unless I'm sleeping with someone, I'm not involved with them."

"Does Nova like him?" Kayla asks abruptly. I scowl.

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"If she likes him, you should hold on to him," Kayla replies.

"He says if he sticks around, he'd help out with the bar and we'd be bringing in three times as much as we are right now," I say. Kayla snorts.

"How does he propose we do that? Should we start prostituting ourselves out?" I shrug.

"He didn't explain."

"If he does, please let me know what he says."

"I told him you owned half the bar. So any extra profits would also be going to you," I say.

"Damn straight." Kayla starts looking over the books and sighs.

"I sure wouldn't mind bringing in some extra money. I just don't see how."

"Well, as you suggested, we could prostitute ourselves out."

"Hell no." I laugh.

"Amen to that, sister."
***
Emily is sick today so Nova will be accompanying me to work this evening. I feel like such a failure as a business partner and mother when this happens.

Kayla never faults me for it, but I still feel guilty just the same. I have a sudden thought strike me and it nearly knocks me on my ass.

IF I were married, I wouldn't have to work my ass off. I'd still work, but I wouldn't have to kill myself off in order to do it. And I could spend more time with Nova.

I enter the bar and I spot Frankie standing around in the back. He notices that I have Nova in tow.

"No sitter tonight, huh? How are you gonna swing this one, super mom?'

"Stick it up your ass, Morales," I growl as I make my way into the back. Kayla, Angel and Rita all spot Nova and immediately are all over me.

"Oh, my goodness!" Rita coos. "Look at this beautiful little doll!" Nova rewards her with a grin.

"Could you take her?" I ask Rita. "I need to get my shit together." Rita gladly accepts Nova as I hustle into the office to grab my apron, pencil and notepad.

"We can take turns keeping an eye on Nova," Kayla says. "The play pen is still set up in the back."

"I just hope she's not going to be a little bitch tonight. Knowing my luck, she will." I'm already feeling frazzled and stressed.

Kayla takes my hands in hers, squeezing gently.

"Everything will be just fine, Luna. You're not going to deal with this alone. We're all here to help you." Tears well up in my eyes and I sniffle.

"I don't deserve you guys." Kayla winks at me.

"Damn right you don't."
***
It's crazy this evening, which isn't necessarily bad news. We need all the cash we can bring in.

Frankie sticks around the entire night and even pitches in to help out. I should be happy about that. But I'm not.

Not one bit. He's only doing this so he can try and prove that he can be there for me AND so he try and make me fall in love with him so he can propose and we'll live happily ever after.

What a load of shit. Everybody wants a damn fairy tale life, with some charming prince who will come along and sweep them off their feet and rescue them from whatever crap they're dealing with.

Ha. Only idiots should fall for that shit. Because I sure as hell haven't believed it in for years.
***
I can hear Nova crying in the back. I quickly get three beers, some beer nuts and chips and salsa for my newest order before rushing into the back.

I stop short. Frankie is standing there, holding-Nova. She's not crying, but something in me snaps. I run to them and snatch my daughter out of Frankie's arms.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!" I yell, as I hold Nova close to my chest. Frankie frowns.

"I heard her crying and I knew none of you were back here. So I thought I'd go see if I could calm her down."

"I TOLD YOU to never touch my baby!" I shout, tears streaming down my cheeks.

"I didn't hurt her, Luna," Frankie says softly. I turn my back on him, holding my daughter close. Tears spill on to her head.

"You have a serious problem, Luna! You go around acting like you're so damn tough and heaven forbid you actually let someone in! You just treat everyone like shit because it's easier than letting your damn guard down and then you don't understand WHY you don't have any man who gives a shit about you and Nova." Frankie starts walking away.

"I'm sorry, Frankie," I choke out. He stops but doesn't turn around.

"You're right," I add. "Everything you said is true. I-I just get so scared that IF I let somebody IN, they'll just up and leave me again. And my heart can't go through that again." Frankie comes to me. He leans closer and begins gently kissing my tears away.

He finally kisses me on the lips. His lips taste salty from my tears. I lean against him. He puts his arms around us as I bury my face in his t-shirt.

Nova is reaching out for-Frankie.

"Will you let me take her?" he asks quietly.

"Yes." Frankie takes Nova in his arms and she rests her little head on his shoulder. I burst into a fresh batch of tears. Frankie's arms encircle me and for the first time in years, I actually feel safe.