Chapter Four
“Everything looks good to me.” The doctor rolls his chair away.
“Looks good? It’s not even fully healed yet. It’s been over a month. I still don’t have full control of my face.” I ball my fists at my side in frustration with my body.
“This is a slow healing process. You’ve had multiple surgeries, and nerves can take years to come back even in the slightest amount. So what you do have might feel small, but I can promise that it is a big improvement.”
I roll my eyes, annoyed at the whole process.
“Look. I get it.” The doctor stands in front of me, rolling up his sleeve, an ugly bubbled-up scar on his forearm.
“I had a patient attack me with my own scalpel. It took a year for the tremors to stop. I think that both of us need to be thankful we could keep the jobs we love. Besides, chicks dig scars.” He laughs.
“If only that were true, doc. Unfortunately, a nasty one with stitches still in it is kind of a turn off. I’ve had to turn to online dating.”
The doctor laughs at my plight. “Well, when you find a woman who can look past it, you know she’s the one.”
I nod my head, not needing to tell him that I’m not looking for the one. Just one night. I gave the one thing a chance, and it exploded in my face in royal fashion.
“Thanks, Doc.” I stand to leave. “Sorry if I’m one of the grumpier patients.”
“I won’t hold it against you, son. You’re healing. It was a traumatic injury.”
We shake hands, and I walk down the hallway, letting the disappointment sink in that this might not get better. My lips could always droop, my speech might always be impacted when I’m tired and can’t move my lips properly.
I try to remember the fact that he was right about one thing. At least I get to keep doing what I love. After taking so long to give up on the dream of a future I had with my ex, Melissa, I’m finally happy and doing something that I look forward to everyday. At least that hasn’t been taken from me.
“Well look what the cat dragged in,” Adam says as I climb out of my cruiser.
“I’ve been gone for an hour.” I try to walk past him, ignore him. I’m not in the fucking mood for his bullshit right now.
“I wish I’d gotten shot so I could just take off in the middle of a shift. I’d stop and get some lunch though. You seemed to rush right back. Maybe—”
Turning, I cut him off. “You wish you had this?” I point to the wound on my face that was just reopened a mere two and a half weeks ago.
“You wish you had to have skin and fat taken from your thigh to fill the hole on your cheek? You wish you struggled to smile, talk, or hell, even call out people’s idiotic comments? ”
He holds his hands up in defense. “Geez, didn’t mean to hit a nerve.” I don’t laugh. “Get it? Because he did. Hit your nerves? You can’t feel them?”
“Get the fuck out of my face. Now,” I growl out.
His eyes widen at my tone, but he listens and goes away.
“Who the hell pissed in your Cheerios, brother?” Hunter claps my shoulder, coming up from behind me.
“Great.” I look up at the sky. “Did the Universe know that I just needed my brothers right now?”
“Aww, told you he loves us, Coop,” Liam says, joining us.
Turning, I can see that all my damn brothers are here, except Gunnar. He and his wife, Willow are in LA for her record label.
“What can I do for you three this fine day?”
“How was your appointment?” Liam asks.
I sigh, I know they mean well. But I just want them to forget about me and any appointments in the near future for just a minute.
Fuck, I want to forget it all myself.
“Fine.”
“Just fine?” Hunter asks as he follows me into the station.
“Doc says great. I don’t agree.” I shrug. “My face still isn’t working the way it should, and it pisses me off. Not much else to say about it.”
“Wy. I’m so sor—”
“Cooper, I swear to God, if you apologize one more fucking time. It’s not your fault. It’s my job. It happens. I know the risks I take every day.”
Cooper has apologized no less than a thousand times since Aubrey’s ex shot a hole in my cheek when he broke into their house after trying to kidnap her.
He looks down at the floor. He fucking hates when I tell him to stop apologizing. The guilt eats at him, and I don’t know how to get him to leave me alone and stop.
“Anyways, I know you three didn’t come here to ask about my appointment. Usually you just let Mom do that, or you text me.” I stare at the three of them in the lobby of the station.
“Technically, we didn’t come here for you,” Hunter answers. “We needed to pull a permit for the inn. And Cooper was bored, so he tagged along. You just happened to show up when we were leaving.”
“We’re going to Rebels tonight. You in? The girls are having a girls’ night at the inn, so we’ve been banned from hanging with them.
They’re inviting Sophia over to integrate her into the group, so apparently that doesn’t include us.
They’re going slow. As if any of them are slow to accept someone new. ” Hunter shakes his head.
Those girls will take anyone into their fold. Except Tiff. Thank God.
“What time?” I ask, looking at my watch and trying to calculate how much time I have left at work versus how much time I need after work. I need to mow the yard and want to go through the path to Sophia’s to tamper down the overgrowth.
“How about seven? I think the girls are planning for then, too.”
“I can do that. I’ve got to get back to work though if you want me there. So I’ll see you later tonight.” I wave to my three brothers and push through the doors to our offices.
“Wyatt!”
Stopping and closing my eyes, I take in a deep breath. Why is everyone hell bent on aggravating me today?
“Yes, Chief?” I ask through gritted teeth.
“Come in here, please? And you can leave whatever that damn attitude is at the door. It ain’t my fault, whatever it is.”
Goddamn it.
“Sorry, Chief.” I step in half-way, leaning on the doorframe instead of coming in to sit because I have no desire to spend that much time in his office.
“Shut the door. Have a seat.” He motions to the chair in front of him.
Awesome. Love this for me.
I do as he says, even if I don’t want to.
“I want you to take the detective’s test.” He doesn’t wait or ease into that statement.
“Why? Is Stone retiring?” Not like Balsam Cliffs needs a second detective.
“You keep this between us. But up toward Hemlock Cove is experiencing some increased crime beyond what our small stations can handle on a daily basis. So we decided to put together a task force of people we trust. You’re the people I trust.”
“I… What…” I stammer, trying to figure out what he’s asking. “You want me to be on a task force? For what type of crime? Why?”
“Son, I know you’re down on yourself about what happened with Jack, but the way you handled the situation really impressed me.
There’s an increase in drug-related crime along the coast. You can think about it, but I want you to take the detective’s test. Let me know your answer whenever you’re ready. ”
“Okay.” I don’t know what else to say. Becoming a detective isn’t something I’ve thought about. Working outside of Balsam Cliffs also isn’t something I’ve thought about.
Hell, becoming a cop wasn’t something I thought about either.
I saw the post for the job, came home for the weekend, and talked to Chief.
Next thing I knew, I was moved home, living at the inn, and going through the academy.
I completed my field training two years ago, and now he wants me to be a detective?
Your life can really change in an instant when you find your fiancée in bed with your best friend and best man a week before the wedding.
“I’ll let you get back to work. But let me know what you decide.”
I shake his outstretched hand and leave, hoping to get in my cruiser and patrol town without finding Adam, who’ll want to come with me.
Only a few more hours.
Walking into Rebels, I’m exhausted. After physical therapy this morning, my face hurts. And I’d much rather be at home on my couch watching the Sox play.
I see my brothers lined up at the bar with an open seat right in the middle of them.
“Hey, Wyatt!”
I freeze. Of course she’s here tonight. “Hey, Tiff.”
“What are you doing here tonight? I figured you’d be tired after work.”
How does she always know my schedule?
“I’m exhausted, but my brothers forced me out.” I point over to them. “I should probably get over there. The sooner I drink my beer, the sooner I can go home.”
She steps into my space, grabbing my bicep. “Are you sure you don’t want to grab a drink with me first?” She’s batting her eyes and using that sickly sweet voice on me.
“Sorry, Tiff. That’s probably not a great idea. I’ve told you I’m not looking for anything serious.” I pull her death gripped fingers off me and step backwards.
“It doesn’t have to be serious. I could just go for another round.” She winks.
“Tiff, we both know that’s not true. I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but this,”—I motion between us—“it’s not ever going to happen. I just don’t do serious, or relationships.”
“You did once. You might again.”
“That once is why I won’t ever again. I’m really sorry. You’re great, but it’s literally not you, it’s me.”
I walk away from her and over to meet my brothers who are all staring at me now.
I thought for sure when Aubrey knocked Tiff down a while ago that she’d stop.
But with all my brothers attached now, she’s back latching onto me.
And I feel like I’m going to have to take the gloves off and set her straight sooner rather than later; probably a little harsher than I want to.
It’s not her fault I’m too scared to commit. I mean it when I say she’s a great girl. Anyone would be lucky to get her. She just needs the confidence to see that her self-worth when it comes to men is on the fucking floor.
“Sorry, man. I didn’t see her walk in.” Roman apologizes, filling a glass with my favorite from the keg.
“It’s fine. But, I want to know how she always has my fucking schedule.”
“She’s besties with Adam now, didn’t you know?” Liam answers.
“No. They are?”
Liam nods over to the other side of the bar, and sure enough, there they are, sitting together.
“Huh.” I shrug my shoulders. “That match actually makes sense. They both annoy the shit out of me. And if I can, I run from both.”
Cooper slaps my shoulder. “You’re just the nicest guy.” He laughs.
“Hey. I’m nice to you fucks.” They all raise their brows. “Most of the time.”
“You’ve been a little grouchy for a little too long. Ma’s worried about you.” Cooper tells me something I already know.
I’ve been avoiding her calls and texts. All of them really. Tonight is a rare sighting, and if I didn’t know that Ma would be with the girls, then I wouldn’t be here at all. She’s stopped by the station a few times, and I’ve been out on patrol.
I’m being a piece of shit, and I know it.
“She just wants to stress over my injury. I’m tired of just being my gunshot. I get it, it sucks, but can we move on?”
“We can, but can you?” Hunter asks.
“Hey, boys!” Pops stands behind me and grips my shoulders. “What are we talking about?”
“Wyatt’s shitty attitude.” Liam smiles. “He’s turning into me pre-Violet. A real town asshole. Not a good look for one of Balsam Cliff’s finest if you ask me.”
Narrowing my gaze, I stare at him. “Shut the fuck up. I’m a damn delight. And clearly I’m not pissing Chief off because he just asked me to take the detective’s test.”
“Really?” A collective question comes from the group.
“Yeah, I guess there’s some increased crime up the coast to Hemlock Cove.” I look at Cooper. “You heard anything about it?”
“A little. Granger and Kane have been complaining about someone messing with their traps lately. I didn’t think much of it. A couple of years ago some teenagers were messing with their shit. So I just thought it was that.”
“It’s not. Apparently, there’s going to be a task force put together, one detective from each town along the coast. And Chief wants it to be me.”
“That’s great, son. When do you take it?” Dad takes his seat next to Liam.
“I haven’t officially accepted his offer yet. I was too blindsided by the whole thing, and it was right after physical therapy. Felt like I need a minute to think about it.” I shrug.
“Fair. But you have to do it. That’s a great opportunity for you,” Hunter says.
“I feel like I just became a cop. Now I’m going to be a detective?”
“So? Sometimes the right thing just falls into your lap. Look at me with Rebels. I never thought this old warehouse would be for sale, but then for it to go to auction so I could grab it at a steal and still have enough money for the renovations? You just gotta do it, man.” Roman gives his opinion while dropping off a round of appetizers.
I knew they’d all have their opinions, but subconsciously, I needed them. The only thing holding me back is the fear that I’m not good enough for the job.
“You’re all right. I’m just worried I’m not good enough for it. And a little worried about getting hurt again. If Jack was even two inches higher and over a little, my brain would be smattered all over Aubrey’s cabin, and this wouldn’t be just a hole in my cheek.”
I haven’t admitted how scared I am to get hurt again to anyone but myself.
“That’s a chance you have to take, son. You chose a dangerous career sure, but any of us take a chance every morning we let our feet hit the floor. You can’t let your fear control your life.”
“Thanks, Pops. I get it. But, I don’t know. I think I just need a day or two to make a decision. Can you all do me a favor and keep this to yourselves for now? Especially you, Pops.”
“You better not let your mother find out from anyone but you if I agree. I’m not getting put in the doghouse because of your secrets.” He raises a brow, staring at me in the way he did when we were kids and doing something he didn’t approve of but knew we needed the space to do it on our own.
“Promise. She’ll be the first one I tell when I make the decision.”
“Okay, can we move on from the sappy shit now?” Cooper asks.
“Yes, please. And preferably on to someone else. Like Liam,” I offer.
“What the fuck did I do?” His eyes widen, hating the attention on him.
“Knocked your wife up,” Hunter offers, taking a sip of his beer.
“I did do that.” Liam’s wide, goofy grin on his face makes us laugh.
And just like that, the tension of the night is broken, leaving me with my own thoughts just where I like them.
In my own head.