asphaltcowgrrl (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
asphaltcowgrrl) wrote2020-12-24 09:44 am
asphaltcowgrrl) wrote2020-12-24 09:44 am
Entry tags:
Take a Shot (Romani Detective Original Fiction)
Title: Take a Shot
Fandom: Romani Detective Original Fiction
Pairing: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 3,520
Summary: It’s a quiet day in the bar until two detectives walk in.
Author’s Note: Written for sharpiesgal because she’s amazing and because she thought Elias needed his own series. So, what better way to start than by introducing him to Andrej? Totally unbetad and the last half I didn’t even reread because I wanted to get this posted before Christmas. Let me know if you see any glaring goofs on my part.
He looked up from where he was restocking glasses under the bar when the bell over the door jingled happily. Which was truly idiotic considering how rare it was for a happy person to enter this place. Bars could be gathering places for celebrations, but more often than not, they were filled with sad and lonely people. The pair who had just entered looked neither sad nor lonely, although neither looked particularly happy either. Such was his luck since they were both handsome men.
“This place reminds me of Santa’s workshop, Zek,” the tall, attractive Latino said. He was decked out in painted on jeans, a green plaid shirt, and cowboy boots, making for a truly delicious picture. “Have you ever seen so much alcohol before?”
“We are in a bar,” the other, Zek, the cowboy had called him, said. He wasn’t quite as tall as the swaggering detective, but not shorter by more than an inch or two. Although Zek was dressed more formally in a suit and tie, he was equally as eye-catching as the cowboy. Elias gave him a critical second look. No, wait, he was even more attractive. “They are supposed to have a lot of alcohol, Zayne.”
“Dude,” the cowboy, Zayne, said. “This is a lot even for a bar. Trust me, I know.”
“I know you know,” the Zek muttered.
The bartender smiled at their familiar banter. They’d definitely been friends for some time and obviously got along well, despite the way it looked at first blush. You were only that at ease with someone you knew well and trusted not to bust you in the mouth for being sassy.
“Can I help you,” Elias asked, setting his towel on the bar. “Get you two a drink?”
“I’d kill for a beer,” the cowboy said with a charming grin. “But unfortunately, we’re on duty.” He showed his badge, and his partner did the same. “Detectives Reyes and Zeklos.”
“Elias Diaz,” he said, holding out his hand. Eli shook each detective’s hand in turn, lingering a little with the other, quieter detective. Were the circumstances different, had Detective Zeklos not been working, Elias would have asked him out in a hot minute. Even if he got turned down, it would have been worth a shot. “It’s a pleasure. How may I help you out today?”
“We’re investigating a murder,” Detective Reyes said. He held out his phone, a discreet photo of what he could only assume was the victim on the screen. “Have you ever seen this man before?”
Elias leaned over the bar and looked at the phone. Holding a hand out, he asked, “May I?”
“Sure,” Reyes said, handing his phone over. “He was found not far from here early this morning. Look familiar?”
Eli frowned at the detective’s phone. He was more than familiar; he was a friend. Had been a friend, that was. With a sigh, he handed his phone back to the cowboy detective. “Unfortunately, I know exactly who he is. His name is – was – Decker Umbridge. Odd name, I know, but he was an odd sort of guy.”
“How did you know Mr. Umbridge,” Zeklos asked.
“He worked here part-time,” Elias said. “And before you ask, yes he did work last night.”
The two detectives looked at one another and, despite the gravity of the news, Elias had to wonder if they were the envy of the entire department. Not only were they good looking men, but they also both had that undeniable something that said they were in control of the situation, no matter what it might be. A wicked thought flitted through Elias’ brain and he nearly snorted with laughter at the idea.
“Are you okay, Mr. Diaz,” Zeklos asked him.
“What? Oh yes, I’m fine,” he said, snapping out of his lustful mini-daydream.
The cowboy looked at him oddly before launching into a series of questions about Decker’s work habits, the kind of company he kept, whether he’d had any altercations at work recently or not. All the standard things Elias had come to expect from binging way too many police procedurals, both in television and book format.
When they’d finished with their questions, Detective Reyes smiled. “We appreciate the information. If you think of anything else that might help us, give us a call.” He flicked his eyes to his partner. “Zek, um, I’m out of business cards. Can you give him one of yours? You take better notes than I do anyway.”
Detective Zeklos gave the cowboy a serious dose of side-eye before he reached into his pocket and withdrew his wallet. He extracted a business card with precision, all while muttering something in a language Elias had never heard before. Which, considering he worked in a bar in Vegas was quite a feat. He chuckled at the realization.
“What’s so funny,” the tall, sexy cowboy asked warily.
“Nothing, sorry,” Elias said, composing himself as best he could. “I just assumed you were both Hispanic or Latino, but what he just said, whatever it was, didn’t sound like any version of Spanish I’ve ever heard.”
“Rumano,” Zayne said, using the Spanish word. “He’s not from around here,” he added in English.
“And there are days when you make me want to return to my home,” Zeklos grumbled. He turned to Elias and smiled for the first time since coming into the bar. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Diaz. Feel free to call me if you should have any further information or questions.”
“I’ll do that,” Elias said, tucking the card into his own wallet for safe keeping. “Will someone let us know when Decker’s killer has been found?”
The two looked at one another again. Reyes shrugged.
“It is not our usual method,” Zeklos said. “Under normal circumstances, we inform the next of kin and they are able to pass the information along. I can make a note to let you know once we have finished our investigation if you would like.”
“I would appreciate it,” Elias confirmed. “He and I weren’t close, but he was a decent guy and I considered him a friend. I’d like to know that he’s gotten justice.”
Nodding, Zeklos pulled out a notepad and wrote something. He glanced up. “Please, give me your phone number so I can contact you when we know. Also, in case either of us have any follow up questions.”
Elias tried not to smile as he rattled off his phone number. “That’s my cell,” he clarified, “and not the bar’s number. I can give you that as well if you’d like.”
Zeklos took down the number of the bar as well as the manager’s name. “Thank you,” he said. “We’ll be in touch if we need more information.”
Six Weeks Later
“I’ll be right with you,” Elias called when he heard the bell chime. He quickly unloaded the rest of the glasses and settled them into their spots on the shelf under the bar. Rising to his feet, he said, “What can I – oh, it’s you.”
“It is me,” he agreed, a smile lighting his handsome face.
Elias felt a rush of warmth swirl through his gut when he laid eyes on Detective Zeklos. “Please tell me you’re here because you caught the jerk who murdered Decker?”
Zeklos smiled. “We have,” he said. “And he is in custody awaiting trial. My partner was going to call, however I thought I would stop by and thank you personally.” He looked over his shoulder, studying the small early evening crowd for a moment, then refocused his attention on Elias. “Some of the information you gave us helped lead us to the perpetrator.”
“Damn,” Elias muttered. “I’m glad I could help. Decker deserved justice and I’m glad you were able to give it to him. How about a drink? On the house? You aren’t on duty now, are you? It’s almost six o’clock.”
“No,” Zeklos said, shaking his head. “I have paperwork I should be finishing, but it can wait until I get home. Or even tomorrow if it comes to that.”
Elias could think of a few ways to distract the detective until morning. “What’s your poison?”
“Not anything you will have on the shelves behind you, I am afraid,” Zeklos told him.
“Try me,” Elias said, hating himself for being a tease, yet unable to not let the detective know he was willing.
The faintest tinge of pink colored the detective’s cheeks, letting Elias know his words had hit the mark. Score one for his bold ass self, he supposed.
“Unfortunately, it is not generally available in the US,” Zeklos said.
“What is it,” Elias asked. “I have a supplier who is pretty good at getting his hands on odd things.”
“It is a plum brandy from Romania,” he said. “It is our national drink, so to speak, however, I have to have it imported when I have an urge for a sip.”
“Sounds interesting,” Elias said. “Do you have something you drink when you can’t get your favorite?”
“I do not generally drink,” Zeklos said. “Especially not when I am out alone.”
“Looks like you aren’t alone,” Eli said, pointing behind Zeklos. “I believe your partner just arrived. Evening, Detective. What can I get you?”
Detective Reyes grinned. “You can get me that beer you offered the last time we were in here,” he said, taking the barstool next to his partner.
“Coming right up,” Elias said, turning to grab a bottle from the cooler.
“Thanks, man,” he said when Eli put the beer and a frosty glass on the counter in front of him. “And thanks for your help, too, if Zek hasn’t already said as much.”
“He has, but it’s always nice to hear it twice,” Eli said, winking at him. “I’m going to go help the couple over there. Holler if you need anything.”
“Don’t worry, we will,” Reyes said.
Elias took care of the couple at the end of the bar and returned in time to be flagged down by Reyes. “Another beer for me por favor and a glass of brandy for my partner please. And don’t give him any of that moonshine shit he likes to hide in his kitchen.”
Elias laughed, figuring he had to be talking about that plum brandy Zeklos had mentioned earlier. “You are in luck. The only moonshine we have here is made locally.”
“Really,” Zeklos asked. “That is very interesting.
“Tell you what,” Eli said, leaning on the bar. “Do you like blackberries?”
“I love them,” Zeklos said. “Any kind of berry, to be honest.”
“Perfect. The local distillery I was telling you about has an amazing blackberry moonshine. Be right back.”
“Zayne,” he heard Zeklos say. “I should not be drinking and driving home.”
“You’ll be fine,” Reyes said. “If nothing else, Maxwell and Rollins are having a girl’s night and they’ll come drag us home if we need them to.”
Zeklos made the cutest face then. He scrunched up his nose and narrowed his eyes at his partner. “That does not make things any better, Zayne.”
“Aw, cut me some slack,” he said, cutting his words short when he realized Elias was back in front of them. He placed Reyes’ beer in front of him and the glass of moonshine in front of Zeklos. “Thanks, buddy,” Reyes said, holding his bottle up in toast.
Elias stepped back and started putting bottles back where they belonged. He’d had an earlier rush that left him a bit disorganized.
“Drink that liquid courage,” he heard Reyes say.
“I do not need any courage, Zayne.”
“Yeah, you do,” Reyes replied. “Otherwise, how will you ever ask that little cutie out?”
“Stop it,” Zeklos hissed.
“Oh, come on,” Zayne said. Elias heard the bottle hit the table. It sounded empty so he instinctively reached for another. “He’s obviously into you, Zek.”
“Which is why he winked at you,” Zeklos muttered back sourly. “Do you not have a date tonight?”
“Sadly, no,” Zayne said. “Ooh, I think I’m going to like you, Elias, thanks.”
Zeklos looked at the bottle Eli had set down and scowled. “Zayne, you had better call someone because you are going to need a ride home.”
“Hold that thought,” Zayne said, rising to his feet and grabbing the newly replaced beer. “Hottie alert. I’ll let you know if I need a ride anywhere.”
“I do not know what I am going to do with him,” Zeklos said, exasperated.
“What can you do,” Elias asked. He hesitated for a moment and then said, “He wasn’t wrong though. I am into you.”
“Why?”
Zeklos looked at him with true confusion in his eyes. “You’re cute,” Elias said, hoping he could express himself well enough to make the detective believe. “That was what I first noticed. But then, every time we spoke over the last few weeks, the more I came to understand that you’re more than that pretty face.” He shrugged. “You’re smart and funny and you put up with his bullshit for some dumb ass reason. That was enough for me.”
“It is my job to put up with him,” Zeklos sighed.
“Decker’s case is finally done, right?” Elias leaned his arms on the bar, waiting for confirmation.
“My part in it is, yes,” Zeklos said. “He must still face trial however.”
“Good.” Elias stood and smiled at the detective. “So, I won’t get you into trouble if I ask you out then?”
Zeklos’ mouth fell open, but nothing came out.
“No,” Reyes said, sliding back onto the barstool he’d vacated earlier. “And he’d be happy to go out with you, too.”
“Zayne,” Zeklos growled. “Please stay out of this.”
“Nope, too late,” Reyes said. “It’s settled. I won’t let you say no.”
Zeklos rubbed his forehead with three fingers and sighed. “Fine,” he finally said, picking up the glass of moonshine and swallowing a large gulp of it.
“Damn,” Eli muttered. “How strong is that plum brandy you were talking about? Because I’ve never seen anyone knock back that much moonshine.”
“Told you,” Reyes laughed. “I grew up drinking trash tequila and even I can’t drink moonshine like that.”
“So, what do you say, detective?” Elias had rested an elbow on the bar and was watching Zeklos.
“I will never hear the end of it if I do not say yes,” Zeklos said. “So, I will say yes for now. But please, call me Andrej.”
“I can do that, Andrej,” Elias said. “I still have your card; I’ll call you tomorrow and we can set a date. How does that sound?”
“Sounds like Zek might finally have a date,” Reyes teased. He slung an arm around his partner’s shoulders. “I’m so proud of you, baby.”
Zeklos – Andrej – glowered and knocked back the rest of the moonshine, leaving Elias dumbfounded again. Shaking his head, he reached for the mason jar the moonshine came in. “Another?”
Andrej shrugged. “Sure. I am about to be abandoned by my partner again so I might as well have a reason to sit and chat with the bartender, no?”
“I’m not going to abandon you,” Zayne said.
“Not unless one of these young ladies catches your attention,” Andrej reminded him, taking a sip of his moonshine.
“That’s not abandoning, that’s… nature, honey,” Zayne said, a smile creeping onto his face. “And speaking of nature, see you later.”
Zayne got up and headed towards an attractive blonde at the other end of the bar. Elias patted him on the arm. “I’ll go serve them, but I’ll be back. And don’t think you have to keep drinking to stay here and chat with me. I’m more than happy to have your company either way.”
A group of people had formed at the far end of the bar and kept Elias busy for longer than he’d planned. Sometimes it sucked being the only one behind the bar like this. But it came with the territory and he was good at his job, even if it kept him away from what he hoped was a budding relationship with the detective. They’d only just met, there was plenty of time to get to know him better.
Elias looked up from the drink he’d been pouring and saw Andrej flanked by two attractive women. One was a brunette with a big smile, the other a redhead with a wicked grin on her face. He wondered if they were friends or two eager women trying their luck with the gorgeous man. He got his answer a minute later when the redhead laughed and the brunette gave Andrej a big, friendly hug. Relieved, he focused on the last couple waiting on their drinks.
“Sorry to leave you hanging,” Elias said, finally able to return to Andrej. “But I see you have found companionship.”
“Indeed,” Andrej said, grinning. “These are my friends and co-workers. Trish Rollins and Hilary Maxwell. I texted to make sure one of them would be able to get me home from here later.”
“And Zayne texted to let me know that Andy had met a cute bartender, so we had to come check him out for ourselves.”
Andrej covered his face with his hand and sighed.
“He’s a little uncomfortable with this kind of talk,” Trish laughed. “But he’ll either get over it or die of embarrassment one of these days. Trish,” she said, holding her hand out.
“Elias,” he replied, liking the two women immediately. “And I am hoping that he means me.”
“Hilary,” the brunette said, holding her hand out as well. “I hope so, too, because you’re just his type. Charming and Latino. You’re not from the south too?”
“Mexico, actually,” he said. “But raised here since I was young.”
“There were cowboys in the old west,” Trish joked.
“Trish please,” Andrej groaned.
Elias realized that he was being given a subtle hint from the women. He wasn’t positive, but he was getting the idea that Andrej had a crush on his partner. Which he couldn’t fault him for because Zayne was hot as a Vegas summer and as charming as they came. But he also seemed to be quite oblivious to the attraction as well, judging by the way Zayne tried to hook the two of them up. Eli figured it might be tough to compete with someone like the cowboy, but he always did love a good challenge.
Game on.
“Leave the poor guy alone,” Elias said, breaking in before they could embarrass him too badly.
“We’ll stop harassing him if you tell us that he said he’d go out with you,” Trish said.
“He did,” Elias said, unable to keep the smile off his face. “And now, maybe you ought to get him out of here before I offer him another drink and take him home myself.”
The redhead sat down. “In that case…”
“Trish,” Hilary snorted. “Too soon. Where’s Zayne? Do we need to drag his stupid ass home too?”
Andrej cringed. “I believe he has found other entertainment for the night.”
“Of course, he has,” Hilary said, rolling her eyes. “Oh well, his loss. You, on the other hand, get to come back to my place with us. We have movies, ice cream, and more alcohol. We can bitch about Zayne and you can tell us all about this sweetheart.”
Andrej shook his head and laughed. “You are both lucky that I have had more than I like otherwise, you’d be taking me home and getting nothing of use.” He looked at Elias. “Call me tomorrow. I know of a nice restaurant that you might enjoy, it is one of my favorites.”
“I can do that,” he said. Turning to the women, he said, “Take him home and give him some water and aspirin. I don’t want him hungover and cranky for our date.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t have been feeding him moonshine,” the redhead teased. “Okay, Andy, up. Time to go.”
Andrej stood and leaned against the bar. “I don’t know why you chose me over Zayne,” he said, voice low so that the girls couldn’t hear. “But thank you. No one ever notices anything but him whenever he’s in a room.”
“That is precisely why I chose you,” Elias said. “The quiet ones are always the best ones.”
“I hope I do not disappoint,” Andrej said, giving Elias’ hand a squeeze.
“I doubt you could,” he replied. “Until tomorrow, detective.”
With a wave goodbye, he watched the girls walk Andrej out of the bar. He wasn’t half as drunk as Elias might have expected, but it was still better that he’d called for a ride. Reyes had apparently already disappeared, which was probably for the best, too. He wasn’t sure what he’d tell the cowboy if he came back to find his partner missing.
“Bartender,” someone called from the opposite end of the bar. He was holding an empty glass in the air as if it could magically summon him. Shaking his head, Elias made his way down to where he was waiting, counting the minutes until he could call Andrej and make their date official.
Twelve hours. He could do this.
Fandom: Romani Detective Original Fiction
Pairing: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 3,520
Summary: It’s a quiet day in the bar until two detectives walk in.
Author’s Note: Written for sharpiesgal because she’s amazing and because she thought Elias needed his own series. So, what better way to start than by introducing him to Andrej? Totally unbetad and the last half I didn’t even reread because I wanted to get this posted before Christmas. Let me know if you see any glaring goofs on my part.
He looked up from where he was restocking glasses under the bar when the bell over the door jingled happily. Which was truly idiotic considering how rare it was for a happy person to enter this place. Bars could be gathering places for celebrations, but more often than not, they were filled with sad and lonely people. The pair who had just entered looked neither sad nor lonely, although neither looked particularly happy either. Such was his luck since they were both handsome men.
“This place reminds me of Santa’s workshop, Zek,” the tall, attractive Latino said. He was decked out in painted on jeans, a green plaid shirt, and cowboy boots, making for a truly delicious picture. “Have you ever seen so much alcohol before?”
“We are in a bar,” the other, Zek, the cowboy had called him, said. He wasn’t quite as tall as the swaggering detective, but not shorter by more than an inch or two. Although Zek was dressed more formally in a suit and tie, he was equally as eye-catching as the cowboy. Elias gave him a critical second look. No, wait, he was even more attractive. “They are supposed to have a lot of alcohol, Zayne.”
“Dude,” the cowboy, Zayne, said. “This is a lot even for a bar. Trust me, I know.”
“I know you know,” the Zek muttered.
The bartender smiled at their familiar banter. They’d definitely been friends for some time and obviously got along well, despite the way it looked at first blush. You were only that at ease with someone you knew well and trusted not to bust you in the mouth for being sassy.
“Can I help you,” Elias asked, setting his towel on the bar. “Get you two a drink?”
“I’d kill for a beer,” the cowboy said with a charming grin. “But unfortunately, we’re on duty.” He showed his badge, and his partner did the same. “Detectives Reyes and Zeklos.”
“Elias Diaz,” he said, holding out his hand. Eli shook each detective’s hand in turn, lingering a little with the other, quieter detective. Were the circumstances different, had Detective Zeklos not been working, Elias would have asked him out in a hot minute. Even if he got turned down, it would have been worth a shot. “It’s a pleasure. How may I help you out today?”
“We’re investigating a murder,” Detective Reyes said. He held out his phone, a discreet photo of what he could only assume was the victim on the screen. “Have you ever seen this man before?”
Elias leaned over the bar and looked at the phone. Holding a hand out, he asked, “May I?”
“Sure,” Reyes said, handing his phone over. “He was found not far from here early this morning. Look familiar?”
Eli frowned at the detective’s phone. He was more than familiar; he was a friend. Had been a friend, that was. With a sigh, he handed his phone back to the cowboy detective. “Unfortunately, I know exactly who he is. His name is – was – Decker Umbridge. Odd name, I know, but he was an odd sort of guy.”
“How did you know Mr. Umbridge,” Zeklos asked.
“He worked here part-time,” Elias said. “And before you ask, yes he did work last night.”
The two detectives looked at one another and, despite the gravity of the news, Elias had to wonder if they were the envy of the entire department. Not only were they good looking men, but they also both had that undeniable something that said they were in control of the situation, no matter what it might be. A wicked thought flitted through Elias’ brain and he nearly snorted with laughter at the idea.
“Are you okay, Mr. Diaz,” Zeklos asked him.
“What? Oh yes, I’m fine,” he said, snapping out of his lustful mini-daydream.
The cowboy looked at him oddly before launching into a series of questions about Decker’s work habits, the kind of company he kept, whether he’d had any altercations at work recently or not. All the standard things Elias had come to expect from binging way too many police procedurals, both in television and book format.
When they’d finished with their questions, Detective Reyes smiled. “We appreciate the information. If you think of anything else that might help us, give us a call.” He flicked his eyes to his partner. “Zek, um, I’m out of business cards. Can you give him one of yours? You take better notes than I do anyway.”
Detective Zeklos gave the cowboy a serious dose of side-eye before he reached into his pocket and withdrew his wallet. He extracted a business card with precision, all while muttering something in a language Elias had never heard before. Which, considering he worked in a bar in Vegas was quite a feat. He chuckled at the realization.
“What’s so funny,” the tall, sexy cowboy asked warily.
“Nothing, sorry,” Elias said, composing himself as best he could. “I just assumed you were both Hispanic or Latino, but what he just said, whatever it was, didn’t sound like any version of Spanish I’ve ever heard.”
“Rumano,” Zayne said, using the Spanish word. “He’s not from around here,” he added in English.
“And there are days when you make me want to return to my home,” Zeklos grumbled. He turned to Elias and smiled for the first time since coming into the bar. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Diaz. Feel free to call me if you should have any further information or questions.”
“I’ll do that,” Elias said, tucking the card into his own wallet for safe keeping. “Will someone let us know when Decker’s killer has been found?”
The two looked at one another again. Reyes shrugged.
“It is not our usual method,” Zeklos said. “Under normal circumstances, we inform the next of kin and they are able to pass the information along. I can make a note to let you know once we have finished our investigation if you would like.”
“I would appreciate it,” Elias confirmed. “He and I weren’t close, but he was a decent guy and I considered him a friend. I’d like to know that he’s gotten justice.”
Nodding, Zeklos pulled out a notepad and wrote something. He glanced up. “Please, give me your phone number so I can contact you when we know. Also, in case either of us have any follow up questions.”
Elias tried not to smile as he rattled off his phone number. “That’s my cell,” he clarified, “and not the bar’s number. I can give you that as well if you’d like.”
Zeklos took down the number of the bar as well as the manager’s name. “Thank you,” he said. “We’ll be in touch if we need more information.”
Six Weeks Later
“I’ll be right with you,” Elias called when he heard the bell chime. He quickly unloaded the rest of the glasses and settled them into their spots on the shelf under the bar. Rising to his feet, he said, “What can I – oh, it’s you.”
“It is me,” he agreed, a smile lighting his handsome face.
Elias felt a rush of warmth swirl through his gut when he laid eyes on Detective Zeklos. “Please tell me you’re here because you caught the jerk who murdered Decker?”
Zeklos smiled. “We have,” he said. “And he is in custody awaiting trial. My partner was going to call, however I thought I would stop by and thank you personally.” He looked over his shoulder, studying the small early evening crowd for a moment, then refocused his attention on Elias. “Some of the information you gave us helped lead us to the perpetrator.”
“Damn,” Elias muttered. “I’m glad I could help. Decker deserved justice and I’m glad you were able to give it to him. How about a drink? On the house? You aren’t on duty now, are you? It’s almost six o’clock.”
“No,” Zeklos said, shaking his head. “I have paperwork I should be finishing, but it can wait until I get home. Or even tomorrow if it comes to that.”
Elias could think of a few ways to distract the detective until morning. “What’s your poison?”
“Not anything you will have on the shelves behind you, I am afraid,” Zeklos told him.
“Try me,” Elias said, hating himself for being a tease, yet unable to not let the detective know he was willing.
The faintest tinge of pink colored the detective’s cheeks, letting Elias know his words had hit the mark. Score one for his bold ass self, he supposed.
“Unfortunately, it is not generally available in the US,” Zeklos said.
“What is it,” Elias asked. “I have a supplier who is pretty good at getting his hands on odd things.”
“It is a plum brandy from Romania,” he said. “It is our national drink, so to speak, however, I have to have it imported when I have an urge for a sip.”
“Sounds interesting,” Elias said. “Do you have something you drink when you can’t get your favorite?”
“I do not generally drink,” Zeklos said. “Especially not when I am out alone.”
“Looks like you aren’t alone,” Eli said, pointing behind Zeklos. “I believe your partner just arrived. Evening, Detective. What can I get you?”
Detective Reyes grinned. “You can get me that beer you offered the last time we were in here,” he said, taking the barstool next to his partner.
“Coming right up,” Elias said, turning to grab a bottle from the cooler.
“Thanks, man,” he said when Eli put the beer and a frosty glass on the counter in front of him. “And thanks for your help, too, if Zek hasn’t already said as much.”
“He has, but it’s always nice to hear it twice,” Eli said, winking at him. “I’m going to go help the couple over there. Holler if you need anything.”
“Don’t worry, we will,” Reyes said.
Elias took care of the couple at the end of the bar and returned in time to be flagged down by Reyes. “Another beer for me por favor and a glass of brandy for my partner please. And don’t give him any of that moonshine shit he likes to hide in his kitchen.”
Elias laughed, figuring he had to be talking about that plum brandy Zeklos had mentioned earlier. “You are in luck. The only moonshine we have here is made locally.”
“Really,” Zeklos asked. “That is very interesting.
“Tell you what,” Eli said, leaning on the bar. “Do you like blackberries?”
“I love them,” Zeklos said. “Any kind of berry, to be honest.”
“Perfect. The local distillery I was telling you about has an amazing blackberry moonshine. Be right back.”
“Zayne,” he heard Zeklos say. “I should not be drinking and driving home.”
“You’ll be fine,” Reyes said. “If nothing else, Maxwell and Rollins are having a girl’s night and they’ll come drag us home if we need them to.”
Zeklos made the cutest face then. He scrunched up his nose and narrowed his eyes at his partner. “That does not make things any better, Zayne.”
“Aw, cut me some slack,” he said, cutting his words short when he realized Elias was back in front of them. He placed Reyes’ beer in front of him and the glass of moonshine in front of Zeklos. “Thanks, buddy,” Reyes said, holding his bottle up in toast.
Elias stepped back and started putting bottles back where they belonged. He’d had an earlier rush that left him a bit disorganized.
“Drink that liquid courage,” he heard Reyes say.
“I do not need any courage, Zayne.”
“Yeah, you do,” Reyes replied. “Otherwise, how will you ever ask that little cutie out?”
“Stop it,” Zeklos hissed.
“Oh, come on,” Zayne said. Elias heard the bottle hit the table. It sounded empty so he instinctively reached for another. “He’s obviously into you, Zek.”
“Which is why he winked at you,” Zeklos muttered back sourly. “Do you not have a date tonight?”
“Sadly, no,” Zayne said. “Ooh, I think I’m going to like you, Elias, thanks.”
Zeklos looked at the bottle Eli had set down and scowled. “Zayne, you had better call someone because you are going to need a ride home.”
“Hold that thought,” Zayne said, rising to his feet and grabbing the newly replaced beer. “Hottie alert. I’ll let you know if I need a ride anywhere.”
“I do not know what I am going to do with him,” Zeklos said, exasperated.
“What can you do,” Elias asked. He hesitated for a moment and then said, “He wasn’t wrong though. I am into you.”
“Why?”
Zeklos looked at him with true confusion in his eyes. “You’re cute,” Elias said, hoping he could express himself well enough to make the detective believe. “That was what I first noticed. But then, every time we spoke over the last few weeks, the more I came to understand that you’re more than that pretty face.” He shrugged. “You’re smart and funny and you put up with his bullshit for some dumb ass reason. That was enough for me.”
“It is my job to put up with him,” Zeklos sighed.
“Decker’s case is finally done, right?” Elias leaned his arms on the bar, waiting for confirmation.
“My part in it is, yes,” Zeklos said. “He must still face trial however.”
“Good.” Elias stood and smiled at the detective. “So, I won’t get you into trouble if I ask you out then?”
Zeklos’ mouth fell open, but nothing came out.
“No,” Reyes said, sliding back onto the barstool he’d vacated earlier. “And he’d be happy to go out with you, too.”
“Zayne,” Zeklos growled. “Please stay out of this.”
“Nope, too late,” Reyes said. “It’s settled. I won’t let you say no.”
Zeklos rubbed his forehead with three fingers and sighed. “Fine,” he finally said, picking up the glass of moonshine and swallowing a large gulp of it.
“Damn,” Eli muttered. “How strong is that plum brandy you were talking about? Because I’ve never seen anyone knock back that much moonshine.”
“Told you,” Reyes laughed. “I grew up drinking trash tequila and even I can’t drink moonshine like that.”
“So, what do you say, detective?” Elias had rested an elbow on the bar and was watching Zeklos.
“I will never hear the end of it if I do not say yes,” Zeklos said. “So, I will say yes for now. But please, call me Andrej.”
“I can do that, Andrej,” Elias said. “I still have your card; I’ll call you tomorrow and we can set a date. How does that sound?”
“Sounds like Zek might finally have a date,” Reyes teased. He slung an arm around his partner’s shoulders. “I’m so proud of you, baby.”
Zeklos – Andrej – glowered and knocked back the rest of the moonshine, leaving Elias dumbfounded again. Shaking his head, he reached for the mason jar the moonshine came in. “Another?”
Andrej shrugged. “Sure. I am about to be abandoned by my partner again so I might as well have a reason to sit and chat with the bartender, no?”
“I’m not going to abandon you,” Zayne said.
“Not unless one of these young ladies catches your attention,” Andrej reminded him, taking a sip of his moonshine.
“That’s not abandoning, that’s… nature, honey,” Zayne said, a smile creeping onto his face. “And speaking of nature, see you later.”
Zayne got up and headed towards an attractive blonde at the other end of the bar. Elias patted him on the arm. “I’ll go serve them, but I’ll be back. And don’t think you have to keep drinking to stay here and chat with me. I’m more than happy to have your company either way.”
A group of people had formed at the far end of the bar and kept Elias busy for longer than he’d planned. Sometimes it sucked being the only one behind the bar like this. But it came with the territory and he was good at his job, even if it kept him away from what he hoped was a budding relationship with the detective. They’d only just met, there was plenty of time to get to know him better.
Elias looked up from the drink he’d been pouring and saw Andrej flanked by two attractive women. One was a brunette with a big smile, the other a redhead with a wicked grin on her face. He wondered if they were friends or two eager women trying their luck with the gorgeous man. He got his answer a minute later when the redhead laughed and the brunette gave Andrej a big, friendly hug. Relieved, he focused on the last couple waiting on their drinks.
“Sorry to leave you hanging,” Elias said, finally able to return to Andrej. “But I see you have found companionship.”
“Indeed,” Andrej said, grinning. “These are my friends and co-workers. Trish Rollins and Hilary Maxwell. I texted to make sure one of them would be able to get me home from here later.”
“And Zayne texted to let me know that Andy had met a cute bartender, so we had to come check him out for ourselves.”
Andrej covered his face with his hand and sighed.
“He’s a little uncomfortable with this kind of talk,” Trish laughed. “But he’ll either get over it or die of embarrassment one of these days. Trish,” she said, holding her hand out.
“Elias,” he replied, liking the two women immediately. “And I am hoping that he means me.”
“Hilary,” the brunette said, holding her hand out as well. “I hope so, too, because you’re just his type. Charming and Latino. You’re not from the south too?”
“Mexico, actually,” he said. “But raised here since I was young.”
“There were cowboys in the old west,” Trish joked.
“Trish please,” Andrej groaned.
Elias realized that he was being given a subtle hint from the women. He wasn’t positive, but he was getting the idea that Andrej had a crush on his partner. Which he couldn’t fault him for because Zayne was hot as a Vegas summer and as charming as they came. But he also seemed to be quite oblivious to the attraction as well, judging by the way Zayne tried to hook the two of them up. Eli figured it might be tough to compete with someone like the cowboy, but he always did love a good challenge.
Game on.
“Leave the poor guy alone,” Elias said, breaking in before they could embarrass him too badly.
“We’ll stop harassing him if you tell us that he said he’d go out with you,” Trish said.
“He did,” Elias said, unable to keep the smile off his face. “And now, maybe you ought to get him out of here before I offer him another drink and take him home myself.”
The redhead sat down. “In that case…”
“Trish,” Hilary snorted. “Too soon. Where’s Zayne? Do we need to drag his stupid ass home too?”
Andrej cringed. “I believe he has found other entertainment for the night.”
“Of course, he has,” Hilary said, rolling her eyes. “Oh well, his loss. You, on the other hand, get to come back to my place with us. We have movies, ice cream, and more alcohol. We can bitch about Zayne and you can tell us all about this sweetheart.”
Andrej shook his head and laughed. “You are both lucky that I have had more than I like otherwise, you’d be taking me home and getting nothing of use.” He looked at Elias. “Call me tomorrow. I know of a nice restaurant that you might enjoy, it is one of my favorites.”
“I can do that,” he said. Turning to the women, he said, “Take him home and give him some water and aspirin. I don’t want him hungover and cranky for our date.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t have been feeding him moonshine,” the redhead teased. “Okay, Andy, up. Time to go.”
Andrej stood and leaned against the bar. “I don’t know why you chose me over Zayne,” he said, voice low so that the girls couldn’t hear. “But thank you. No one ever notices anything but him whenever he’s in a room.”
“That is precisely why I chose you,” Elias said. “The quiet ones are always the best ones.”
“I hope I do not disappoint,” Andrej said, giving Elias’ hand a squeeze.
“I doubt you could,” he replied. “Until tomorrow, detective.”
With a wave goodbye, he watched the girls walk Andrej out of the bar. He wasn’t half as drunk as Elias might have expected, but it was still better that he’d called for a ride. Reyes had apparently already disappeared, which was probably for the best, too. He wasn’t sure what he’d tell the cowboy if he came back to find his partner missing.
“Bartender,” someone called from the opposite end of the bar. He was holding an empty glass in the air as if it could magically summon him. Shaking his head, Elias made his way down to where he was waiting, counting the minutes until he could call Andrej and make their date official.
Twelve hours. He could do this.
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Thank you.
*squishes*
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You're welcome. Just a small thank you for all you've done for me this year.
*kitty cuddles*
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You're welcome.
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:)
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