Spark in the Dark

Chapter 41

Shawn was texting Juice the next morning as she waited for her coffee to be ready. She had never used to buy her coffee, but with the late nights she had been having recently, the extra caffeine was a must.

I wish you could have stayed last night.

It didn't take long for Juice to text back.

Soon you won't be able to get rid of me.

She smiled. It was true that Abel was getting better. Soon they wouldn't have to be a secret.

"Excuse me?" A man behind her said, getting her attention.

"Yes?"

"Sorry, I'm new around here. Can you help me decide what to get?"

Shawn looked him up and down. He was tall and thin with salt and pepper hair, but his face looked younger. "Uh, sure. What do you normally drink?"

"Americano."

"Try the '1776.' Basically the same thing."

"I guess I should have guessed that one myself, huh?"

"Well, the drink names here are more clever than they are informative."

"Thank you," he said as the barista brought Shawn her drink. She was about to walk out and he stepped in front of her. "I'm Josh."

"Shawn."

"Nice to meet you, Shawn. I was wondering if you would like to sit with me? We could talk over our coffee?"

"I have a boyfriend, Josh."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean like that. I've been talking to people from Charming. Just trying to learn more about the area."

"May I ask for what reason?" He pulled out his wallet and took out a card. Shawn took it and read it. "You're with the ATF?"

"Yes. Agent Kohn."

Shawn handed him his card back. "I can't help you."

"You don't even know what I need help with," he pointed out.

Shawn decided to stop being nice. "Fine. I don't want to help you. Have a nice day. Enjoy your coffee."

Shawn left the coffee shop and went to her car. She pulled out her phone and dialed as she drove away. Tig answered on the third ring.

"Hey, doll."

"Hey. You got troubles."

* * *

Shawn sat in a director's chair at Cara Cara. Luanne was working in the office, so Shawn was in charge of directing at the moment. Usually, they worked the other way around, but Luanne needed to do some book keeping. She had never let Shawn handle the studio's books, which was fine by Shawn. Numbers weren't her thing.

"And cut!" Shawn yelled. Lyla moved out of her position in front of the camera to make eye contact with Shawn. She pretended to take a drink right as Shawn heard someone clapping behind her. She turned and saw Juice standing a few feet away.

"Does Lyla need a drink or something?"

"Uh... No."

"Then what was that?"

"That was her way of telling me you were here," Shawn told him awkwardly.

Juice looked amused. "Seriously? And you knew what that meant?"

"Yup... Hey, what are you doing here, anyway?"

"I have to ask you a favor. You know, for the club?" He said a little louder than he normally talked. "Is there somewhere private we can talk?"

"Yeah, over here." Shawn led him to an empty dressing room. Juice closed the door and looked at the knob.

"There's no lock?"

"No. You need to lock the door to ask me a favor?"

"We don't really need a favor. I'm driving a truck later tonight out to Nevada with your dad. I might be gone a few days. Wanted to come say good bye."

Shawn laughed. "You're driving to Nevada with my dad? Oh, you poor thing."

"It won't be so bad. I was thinking we could talk. Get to know each other."

"You're going to try to bond with my dad?"

"Yeah, why not?"

"Alright, well, good luck with that," Shawn said and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Say goodbye to me then. I have to get back out there."

Juice grabbed her and turned her so she was up against the door and kissed her.

"Where are you going in Nevada anyway?" Shawn asked when he pulled away.

"Indian Hills. We're patching over the Devil's Tribe."

"You better remember who you belong to while you're there."

Juice smiled. "I'll remember... So, you and Lyla have a secret hand signal for me?"

"I should have known you wouldn't let that go. Lyla has a secret hand signal for you. I just go along with it."

"And it's her pretending to drink because they call me Juice?"

"Yeah, it's like she's drinking juice. Now, shut up and kiss me."

They began kissing again until Luanne's voice could be heard from outside the door. "Has anyone seen Shawn?"

"Shit, I have to go. See you in a few days." Shawn said, almost in a panic.

Juice stayed calm. "I love you."

"Love you, too." Shawn opened the door and they walked out. "Right here, Luanne."