Take the Key

Love can unfold anywhere. It isn’t exactly a heat package. It can be messy. Sometimes, it comes in pieces. Some of those said pieces could be missing. Some can be damaged. You just have to try. The girls of Red Bull knew this too well.

Tess

Does Tess have anyone she loves? She had Eddie but was that really love? There was something. However, it quickly turned sour. Tess tries not to think about it as she tries to move on.

But is there anyone new? Maybe.

Lately, she’s caught the attention of her neighbor.

“Good morning, Jamie,” Tess said as she was smoking outside her apartment. A man about thirty years old stopped and turned his head. His cheeks turned red.

“Good morning,” he mumbled. He seems nice. He worked from home and barely left his apartment. Jamie didn’t socialize much. Tess had to be the one to start conversations. Still, he seemed like a sweet guy.

But how did Tess really feel about him? She doesn’t know yet. Right now, the dancer wasn’t looking for a new relationship. Eddie put a damper on that. Still, Tess couldn’t help but wonder…

-------

Lucy

She’s still a hopeless romantic. Lucy was still young and hopeful. The other girls envy her in a way. She hadn’t fully experienced life yet. However, our waitress could already be on her way.

You see, Lucy has a man. His name was Cole. He was a bit younger than her. She’s twenty-three and he’s eighteen. Her man, boy…

Cole was a piece of work. Lucy at least had a somewhat decent job. But her boyfriend lived the thug life. She didn’t want to know what he did when they weren’t together. But there were drugs involved.

So why does Lucy stay with him? Does she think she can change him? Was she afraid of him? What did he say to make her stay?

Lucy won’t answer. She knows the club won’t be happy if they knew about Cole. So she kept him a secret from her friends and coworkers.

----------

June

June and Hayley’s love keeps growing. It all stayed a secret. Somehow, that felt more exciting. Hayley was warming up to the idea of a romance with another woman. She doesn’t know what to call it.

“Does it have to have a name?” June asked.

“I don’t know,” Hayley said. June leaned in and kissed her on the lips. The teacher kissed her back. June pulled away with a little smile.

“Love doesn’t know what gender is.”

There is so much she wants to show Hayley. However, her beloved is still grieving. Hayley didn’t think she could love again. But now…

Maybe this could work out. June was determined to make it happen.

----------

Madam Choi

She had someone once. But he’s gone now. Madam Choi has been single for ten years. Does she have eyes for anyone now? Well, let’s take a look.

Madam Choi wasn’t getting any younger. That didn’t matter to her. She had everything she needed. Red Bull was doing great. She didn’t have to worry about money. She still had good friends she was close to. Even her estranged daughter was thriving. What more could Madam Choi want?

There is still a man in her life. They have been friends for two years. Randell appeared to have feelings for her. He hadn’t spoken up on his feelings. Still, her friends could see the truth. There had been talks about getting them together. Who was going to make the first move?

Madam Choi turned her head.

“Are you busy on Sunday?” she asked. Randell stared at her before he cleared his throat.

“No,” he said. She ran her finger along his hand. She kept her eyes on him.

“I would love it if you joined me for lunch at that new bistro downtown,” Madam Choi said.

“Yes!” Randell was quick to say. He paused and cleared his throat.

“I mean, yes. Yes. I would love that,” he said. Madam Choi smiled. Is this love? We will have to see.

---------

Nina

And what about Nina? She stared at her phone. Why was she so worried about him? They weren’t that close. It wasn’t like they were in love. She didn’t know how Vince felt about her. Nina thought she wasn’t ready to love again.

They kept running into each other when he was trying to solve crimes. Nina didn’t know why. It happened.

“It’s fate!” Lucy said. The other girls rolled their eyes.

“What?” Lucy asked with a shrug. Nine doesn’t believe in that sort of thing. But still…

Nina stared at her phone. Vince hadn’t picked up in days. She thought about calling or texting him. Did that seem desperate? She was just checking on him. Nothing else. It should be fine, yeah?

Nina’s hand trembled around her phone. She didn’t know what to do.

Damn it. She might as well do it.

Nina made the call. Straight to voicemail. She took a deep breath.

“Hey, it’s me. I haven’t heard from you in quite a while. I know that you are busy and all. I’m just calling to check-in. Are you okay? Call me when you get this.”

Nina hung up and breathed out. That should be fine, right? So why was she still worried?

---------

Love isn’t an easy thing in the city. It has to fight through so much corruption and poison to live. Some love might die in the process. Other loves might be able to survive. It’s all just a game of chance, really.

The board is set. Let’s see what happens next.