Dating Rules And Pretty Fools Ch. 11

Author's note: thank you for reading, everyone! cannd, thank you so much for your kind words and how invested you are in this story. I know for a fact that I got emotional plenty of times while writing it. You're definitely right about placing some warnings ahead - I will do it for individual chapters where needed. And you said exactly what I'm thinking about Otis - his character shines against the background of a dark world.

MarcLuciFer - I agree that it was a dark chapter, and there will be others even darker. I will place warnings ahead when that's the case, since I created this story as a thriller, so some possibly tough to read scenes will be included.

Exluke1 - thank you for letting me know that the chapters appeared. Things will continue to evolve in this story, so I'm glad to hear you're excited for it.

That said, here is the new chapter!

Chapter Eleven -- Blind Spot

Hudson could say that he had expected this to happen, as he entered Watkins's office and was asked to close the door after him. Jackie was there already, with the look of a kicked dog on his face, and stole a glance at him, one filled with pleas of being let off the hook as the master looked elsewhere for another victim. Unlike him, Hudson held his back straight and nodded at Watkins, who sat behind his desk, his fingers steepled in front of him, while his cold eyes inspected his guests with a sort of cruelty that left little room to guess why they had been summoned there.

"What's going on?" he asked directly after the formal greetings.

Watkins stared at him for a couple more moments. "Jackie here is telling me an interesting story. One in which you helped my debut number for a new club I've been working on for months now run away."

"You're talking about Jasper." Hudson frowned a smidge, as if he couldn't for the world imagine what Watkins was upset about. "He had a family emergency."

"So I heard," Watkins replied. He leaned back in his chair and inspected Hudson with his empty eyes, without showing any sign that he believed what he had heard about Jasper's family emergency.

It didn't matter. The boss in charge of those shady clubs had no proof, although Hudson could have done without drawing the scumbag's attention to himself in that manner. Given the circumstances, he had made his choice and had no regrets. As long as it meant that Jasper was safe, he'd see about the rest with the usual caution he used in his dealings as an undercover detective.

He waited. Jackie was sitting, his eyes on the floor, although he kept his legs spread, his hands linked over his chest, elbows firmly pressed against the arms of the chair, trying to assume a posture that told the world that he was on top of things. Watkins hadn't invited him to sit, so he remained standing, displaying only faint signs of irritation. At the same time, he was very interested in what Watkins would say next.

"I am quite disappointed in both of you. I would have liked to help poor Jasper in these trying times myself."

No shit. Hudson schooled his features into an expression of pleased surprise at Watkins's magnanimity. "I thought we shouldn't bother you with something so trivial. You are, after all, a very busy man, and Jasper is just one of the many models under your wing." He upped the ante and offered a crooked smile. "Consider it a professional flaw, boss, but I didn't think his leaving would matter. He's not that much of a looker if you ask me."

"I'm not asking you, Mr. Vegas," Watkins said and frowned. Something was bothering the fucker, and his brain was surely turning Hudson's words on all sides while he took his time to reply. "In the future, I would appreciate if you tell me you're planning to make my next star disappear."

"Disappear?" Hudson quirked an eyebrow, feigning surprise once more. "He'd just gone home. I'm sure he'll be back for the big opening you have in mind if the timeline aligns."

"Well," Watkins said and grimaced in a weird way that combined pain with annoyance, as well as sort of a perverse pleasure, "I'd say that he disappeared, seeing how he's gone completely incommunicado. He's not answering his phone, and the device seems to be out of service, even." He turned his chair around and took in the view from his window. It wasn't much, since it looked out onto a back alley, and across from it, onlookers could see a redbrick building and a fire escape zigzagging its façade. "It looks to me like the boy made fools out of both of you, and now I have to deal with the consequences."

"He was really crying, boss," Jackie said in a pleading voice. "His momma--"

"Quiet," Watkins ordered without turning his chair.

Hudson preferred it when he could examine his opponent's face at length while having a conversation, but this new boss of his wasn't some schmuck from the street. He wasn't some rat; no, he was a different creature altogether, and Hudson couldn't help a prickling apprehension running like an electric eel down his spine.

Jackie looked down again, even more sullen than before. He definitely felt bad about getting chastised like this in front of the newcomer. There was no more glance of hope toward Hudson, either. The chances were that Jackie was already blaming him for this falling from his master's good graces. That was something Hudson could deal with. But later. Now, his entire attention was on Watkins and what his next course of action for him -- and probably, Jackie -- would be.

"You will both have to do some bottom work for a while," Watkins decided.

Hudson frowned, this time, for himself. Bottom work could mean anything. Could it be that he was being sent into the thick of things so fast? No, that couldn't be possible. Watkins wasn't insane to let a stranger like him see the true face of his business unless he was suspecting him and laying a careful trap. Of what Watkins could be suspecting him was uncertain, but the Jasper episode had definitely earned him no points.

"But, boss--" Jackie whined.

"Do you like your job, Jackie?" Watkins addressed the young man, turning his chair suddenly.

Jackie made himself little. The dynamic between the two had certain undercurrents. Hudson stashed that information away for further perusal. On the surface, Jackie looked like not the brightest tool in the shed, but looks could be deceiving, as he well knew from experience. And Watkins called him by his first name, like everyone else. Hudson couldn't help noticing a certain degree of intimacy between the two.

"Yeah, boss, I like it a lot," Jackie said defensively.

"Then, starting tonight, you'll play bodyguards at Twinlight. Play is a manner of speaking. You'll break up fights, you'll see about throwing out drunkards, and so on. And I don't want to hear a peep from you, Jackie. Mr. Vegas, do you have anything to add?"

"No, boss." Hudson shrugged as if he didn't mind the demotion and was taking everything in stride. "We'll know better next time."

"Of course, you will." The derision was out there, in the open. Watkins didn't give a rat's ass about either of them, apparently. Hudson had to play the fool and just take it like it was, his being bundled with Jackie like two schmucks. "Dismissed."

***

Hudson waited until they were outside for Jackie to speak, steeling himself for the reproach that would soon follow. As little as he thought of Jackie's intelligence, it wasn't like him to underestimate people. In the web of deceit and shadows Twinlight and its owners existed in, Jackie had more information than he did. Keeping on the good side of the guy would be nice.

However, that wasn't what happened as soon as they were well out of earshot.

"Man," Jackie began complaining, "the boss really ripped me a new one about Jasper. I tell you, you were lucky." He patted Hudson on the shoulder in a friendly gesture. "He didn't yell at you like he yelled at me."

"I didn't think he is the kind to yell at anyone."

"He yells at me for sure," Jackie replied and then let out a sigh so deep that it seemed to have emerged from the depths of his soul.

Again, the detective in him found that odd enough to require further examination. "Why is that?" Hudson asked, but as if he did it out of politeness and nothing else.

Jackie shrugged. "He cares or something."

Nothing came after that simple admission. There was definitely something there. "Since you're the veteran here," he said as means to tickle Jackie's vanity, "what's this bottom work all about?"

"Exactly what the boss said," Jackie replied promptly and puffed out his chest. "We'll have to keep our eyes on the customers and frisk anyone who's out of line."

"Frisk? Really?"

"Hey, a lot of good looking dudes come to the club each night. We might get lucky." Jackie wiggled his eyebrows with a playful look in his green eyes.

"I thought you preferred models," Hudson reminded him.

"Yeah, but, you know, those guys are fussy. And, anyway, I'm just playing. I have my eyes on a real prize." Jackie nodded and smiled, while his eyes became unfocused. "I mean, I'm not some nice guy to bring home to momma, but for this dude, I'd go the whole nine yards." He gestured widely to emphasize his words.

"What dude is that? Better than your models?" Hudson teased and offered Jackie a lopsided grin.

Jackie sighed again and gave Hudson a look full of suffering. "He's definitely better. He's like, I don't know, man, chef's kiss. He dresses like a nice boy, he behaves like a nice boy, he always talks so politely. Did I mention? He's frigging beautiful, but you know, not like the usual, but like... I don't know, a bit odd, but in a good way?"

Hudson felt his face freezing in that forced friendly grin. "What way is that?"

Jackie shrugged. "Don't ask me for words. You know, like he's high class. These dudes who take their clothes off at Twinlight, they're basically like porn actors. But this guy is like a model for some fashion brand. I mean, he's thin just like supermodels, and he's... strange, I think, especially with that eye--"

"Eye? Just one?" Gradually, Hudson sank his fingernails into his right palm to stop himself from grabbing Jackie by the throat.

"Yeah. He wears his hair like this, over one eye," Jackie explained. "But it gives him a mysterious air, you know? Ah, man, I'm totally in love."

"Does this odd-looking guy have a name?" Hudson carefully chose the last nail to hammer into Jackie's coffin.

"Even his name is weird. I mean, who the hell calls their kid Otis nowadays?" Jackie laughed and then his eyes fell on Hudson, suddenly filling with concern. "Hey, man, are you all right?"

"Why shouldn't I be?" He was well aware his voice carried with it a tension that hadn't been there before.

"You're a bit pale. Is it something you ate?"

Hudson unclenched his fist, and with it, the frozen expression on his face. "I doubt it. Maybe I was nervous the boss was going to yell at me, too," he offered a joke as explanation.

"It could also be crappy food," Jackie continued. "I should take you to the restaurant where Otis works. They have really good food. Good Bits, they're called. Really delish, I'm telling you."

The asshole even knew where Otis worked. He was going there to eat, often most probably, and laying his traps to catch the beautiful young man. Hudson fought himself for another moment in an effort to regain his nonchalance. That was one more reason to keep his eyes on Jackie.

Hudson had no use for fate and looking for meaning in the coincidences in his life. But the way his lovely neighbor kept popping up everywhere he looked, especially where his investigation of the human trafficking ring was concerned, made him almost believe there was such thing as destiny.

***

He touched his collar, overly conscious of the choker underneath that he'd had gone through great trouble to hide from view. Nonetheless, he liked its presence there, reminding him of all those moments he had spent with Hudson a few nights ago. It was enough to recall the touch of those calloused fingertips, moving ever so slowly across his skin, and he would shiver, caught in a web of pleasant sensations, strong as a safety net.

"Otis!"

He jumped at the sound of his name and turned toward Missy with a guilty expression on his face. "Yes?"

"Sorry, did I startle you?" Missy touched his elbow lightly. "I've been calling you for like two minutes."

And he had been daydreaming, a very interesting activity but which was the opposite of what he was required to do while awake, which was to pay attention to his surroundings all the time. "I apologize," he said primly. "It won't happen again."

"Come on, man, stop acting so serious," Missy said and patted him on the arm. "I wanted to tell you something." She leaned forward, and her voice dropped to a whisper. After looking around as if she were expecting someone to jump them from behind the swinging doors to the kitchen, she began. "Mr. Smith is going to hand out some bonuses this week. And I've heard someone's name being mentioned." Her smile broadened.

"Whose name?" Otis asked. He would congratulate that member of the personnel once the bonuses were handed out by the manager.

Missy stared at him for a few moments, and then burst into laughter. "You're such a straight shooter, Otis, I love you. There's not one drop of ill will in you, is there?"

Those were nice words that warmed his soul. People believed nice things of him, like Missy and Hudson, and even Jackie, despite his greasy hair.

"It is you," Missy added and hugged him. "He's going to give you the biggest bonus this month because you've worked hard, and customers are in love with you."

He didn't know what to say, his heart felt so overwhelmed all of a sudden. He had been worrying constantly about bills and whatnot lately, and there had been no additions made to the glass figurine collection on his shelf, because he didn't know if he could afford both a new piece and food at the same time. Things had been looking up since Mr. Smith had promoted him to waiting on tables, and even more. He was so happy he couldn't put it into words.

"You deserve it, and I don't want to hear a word from you," Missy said and her red mane jiggled on her head, making him smile. "The question is... how are we going to celebrate? Another night out?"

"I can't go to clubs because I'm at risk of hooking up," Otis explained warily. He couldn't openly tell Missy about his arrangement with Hudson, who was giving him dating advice.

"Oh, such dreadful risks." Missy laughed. "You're a relationship type of guy, I bet. But we could have some fun without hooking up. Actually, it takes a lot of the pressure off I usually feel when I go to such places. It's like everyone expects you to hook up when all you want is to have some fun."

Otis thought back over what Hudson said about Jackie. However, Missy was right. They could have fun without hooking up, or feeling pressured into it. Maybe they could try some other venue for fun? He didn't know what could be more entertaining for Missy than going to a club and dancing there with frantic moves. The best course of action, as grandma had always said, was to ask the questions you wanted answers for.

"Besides drinking and dancing, what could we do for fun? What do you like?"

Missy adopted a thinking pose, crossing her arms and rubbing her chin in thought. "Hmm, you know what, Otis? You're right. We should try other things. Do you have something you've always wanted to do?"

Otis pondered for a moment. There were so many things he wanted to try, actually. "Maybe wall climbing?" he said hesitantly.

Missy looked at him strangely. "I thought you wouldn't want to try any activity that involved sweating ever. I don't even think you sweat." To make a point, she leaned forward and sniffed him. "Yeah, you always smell great."

Overly conscious of the choker he was wearing, Otis took a step back, taking Missy by surprise.

"You don't like people getting close, right?" Missy asked.

"It's not that," Otis protested.

"It's fine, really. I'm too touchy-feely," she added, but Otis could say that she was no longer her usually happy self.

"It's not that," Otis repeated, not knowing how to repair the situation. He was bad at making friends as he was, and keeping the few he had was essential.

Missy put her hands up. "You're way too nice, Otis. It's all right, and I shouldn't have pushed myself on you like this."

He was losing her. Yes, that was going on, and he had no idea how to stop it. So, he did the only thing that crossed his mind to prevent a disaster ending in a broken friendship. "I have this," he said and opened the first two buttons of his shirt.

Missy blinked and her eyes grew wide. "That's so pretty, Otis. I mean, it's a bit, how should I say, eccentric to wear that kind of thing at work but, boy, it looks great on you."

"It does?" That made him so happy. Careful that no one else saw it, he buttoned himself up. "My neighbor gave it to me."

Missy grinned wildly and put a hand on her hip. "For real? You two are at that stage where he's collaring you? Man, you're a firecracker." She made a move to slap his arm but thought better of it at the last moment.

That was the thing that needed repairing. Otis took Missy's arm and slapped his arm with her hand, making her laugh again. "There. I'm fine with you touching me," he said with satisfaction.

"Well, that's a relief, because I want to pinch these cheeks." Missy did what she said and caught his skin between her fingers, pulling slightly. "Here I thought that you were a shy dude, who can barely find the guts to install a dating app on his phone, and you're playing the hard way with your sexy neighbor."

Playing wasn't the right word, but Otis didn't wish to contradict her. He wanted to keep his lessons with Hudson a secret from the world. A secret felt good to have; like his glass figurines, it belonged only to him, and that mattered the most. Why, he didn't care to explore at the moment.

"So, when are we going wall-climbing?" Missy asked.

"We are?"

"Why not? I want to try new things, too, but most of the time I get too lazy or I talk myself out of them. As you can imagine, I end up doing the same old things and complaining that nothing changes."

"Do you have to do new things so that you can change?" Otis asked, interested in what Missy thought about that. His grandma had always insisted that he should try new things, things that young people did, but he'd felt ill-equipped to deal with such challenges. Now, he regretted not having had more guts to try them. Nonetheless, he was still young, at twenty-two, and there was enough time to do all the things that caught his interest, now that he was bound to receive a little fortune.

"Definitely," Missy confirmed. "How about we go next weekend?"

"After we get the bonus."

"Yeah. It's a deal, partner."

He shook Missy's hand formally and didn't protest in the slightest when she pulled him into a hug. Maybe she thought she was too touchy-feely, but he didn't think that was a problem between them. He preferred her that way.

***

Hudson was busy going over and over the details of the meeting with Watkins, and the man's attitude toward Jackie. Without a doubt, the young fellow was not the norm for Twinlight bouncers, since he didn't have the brawn, nor their sullen attitude. However, that wasn't his role in the organization, right? He had just been demoted to it, and with great suffering on his part, as Jackie had insisted on reminding him repeatedly after they had left the big boss's office.

Every investigation tended to be a puzzle. There were events and people, connected or not, which he needed to examine and establish how, why, or if they were related. His small apartment wasn't suitable for a crime board, but he had it all in his head and even took pride in keeping track of many various elements of an ongoing investigation like no one else could. His captain was crazy about him for it, or so his colleagues liked to gossip. Being the teacher's pet had never been among his life goals, but now that he was, he believed he had earned that place, fair and square.