Chapter Two #2
Only three sentences, yet they made me sick to my stomach and angry enough to punch a wall. I hopped off the table and strode the perimeter of the space, kicking at the dirt. I bent down, picked up a rock, and threw it into the void. My chest hurt, and I squeezed my eyes shut.
“Screw you!” I screamed. Panting hard, I stuck the phone into my pocket and got into my car.
“Get your ass home so you don’t conk out on tour,” I muttered.
My ride home through desolate streets was quick, and I was in bed within half an hour. Sleep, however, was a long time coming.
**
“Man, Lila is amazing,” Bradford boasted, a satisfied grin on his face. “I don’t think I got more than three hours of sleep this week, but it’s been worth it. Wanna double up with Jeanette this weekend? You two have been getting pretty cozy from what I hear.”
That made me wince. I steered the car onto Main Street and stopped at a red light. “Nah. We had fun, but I’m not into dating.”
“Still playing the field, my man?”
Irritated with his overly friendly behavior, I narrowed my eyes. “Drop it,” I snapped.
“Whoa. Chill out. Just making conversation.” He shoved the last of his breakfast sandwich into his mouth and wiped his hands on a napkin.
Bradford and I had only been paired up for about six months, as my first partner had retired, and we were still learning each other’s ins and outs.
I gripped the wheel and accelerated onto the highway service road.
That would take us on a loop through Appleton Falls, then bring us to one of the two strip malls.
We liked to do walk-throughs there and in the corporate parks to let the public know we were around.
“Sorry. I had a rough night.” At his smirk, I shook my head and forced a laugh. “No, not that. Jeanette and I had fun, but I’m just not interested in getting married or being all domestic with anyone.”
“Hard to hit it and forget it with most of the ladies up here. They want the whole deal—marriage, babies…you know. The works.”
“And you’re into that?” In the time we’d been partnered, he’d never mentioned wanting a steady woman. We’d often been each other’s wingman at Sweeny’s if we were all out for the night.
“Maybe.” He sipped his coffee. “I used to think it was more fun to hang out with someone new every night, but now I’m kinda getting tired of the scene.
Having to go out all the time, wondering if I’m gonna get shot down when I ask someone for a date…
I dunno, man. I’ve lived here all my life. It’s getting to be a drag.”
“All because the sex with Lila is good?”
He snorted. “Not good. Ah-mazing. Like she did things with—”
“Okay, I don’t need to know the dirty details.” I took my hand off the wheel and held it up between us. But I nodded to let him know I wasn’t upset with him. “So you really like her?”
He shrugged. “I’ve known Lila since we were teenagers.
We dated in high school, but neither of us was serious at the time, with her going to college and me heading for the Army.
She’s sweet, funny and gorgeous. Smart too—you know she’s a paralegal at the DA’s office.
Works with Jaxon Polaris, and he’s a decent guy, even if he’s…
you know.” He wiggled his fingers, and I struggled to keep my temper in check.
Polaris made no secret that he was gay, and I hoped Bradford wasn’t about to act the fool and say something stupid to piss me off.
“He’s what? I don’t understand.”
“Gay. Dude’s into men. Literally.” He cackled, but I didn’t join him.
“So? Doesn’t matter to me. Look at Jet. He’s got a boyfriend, and he’s cool. Does it bother you?”
Apparently, Bradford couldn’t wrap his head around it. “Yeah, I still don’t understand that one. I mean, he was banging Carmela, that nurse, wasn’t he? She’s a total hottie. How does he go from that, to having a dick up his ass?”
I winced. “Jesus, Bradford. That’s crass.”
“What? It’s the truth. I guess it’s cool that McKinney’s his boyfriend. If you’re gonna get it on with a guy, might as well be a millionaire football player.”
My stomach churned with anger. “I can’t believe you’re talking all this bullshit.
Jet’s our friend and basically second in command to Simms, now that Gleason retired.
You really have a problem with him ’cause he’s bisexual?
” I pulled into the mall parking lot and shut off the engine.
I was more than curious to hear his answer.
Bradford undid his seat belt and opened the door. “No, but I’d rather have you watching my six than him.” He waited by the car for me to join him.
“You’re fucking crazy. You gonna tell me Devlin Summers and Brody Martin aren’t fucking awesome?
They’re Hall of Famers—two of the best players ever.
” It took a major effort to control my temper and not lash out at him, especially when we were in a public place, but Bradford could see I was angry.
It didn’t seem to matter to him, as he slapped me on the back with a chuckle.
“Come on. I know you’re from the city, where things are different, but it doesn’t freak you out at all? You seriously don’t have a problem with two guys being together…having sex?” He made a face.
Putting some distance between us, I glared at him. “No. It doesn’t, and I don’t. Why should I care who anyone sleeps with? Get your mind on something else besides sex. Read a damn book or something.”
This right here. Bradford’s response was exactly what I expected from people, which was why I kept my mouth shut.
He put his hands up. “Whoa. Okay. I didn’t mean anything by it. You’ve been in a pissed-off mood all morning. Sure nothing’s bothering you?”
“No. All good. Just tired.”
As if I’d open up to him. Bradford might be my partner, but in all honesty, he wasn’t much different than a stranger to me.
I’d hesitated to invite him into my life, and from his attitude, my assumption proved correct.
Not that I’d gotten close to anyone else up here.
Bad enough I rented Emerson Kane space in my head, but I allowed that even if I acted the exact opposite.
God, I was a mixed-up mess, and couldn’t untie myself from the tangle of secrets and lies of my past. I acted the bastard to so many people because I excelled at it.
We strolled the perimeter, stopping into the stores to say hello and listen to any concerns.
We heard a few complaints about kids congregating in the parking lots during the day and promised to swing by more often.
And then, of course, we had to stop at Dolly’s Bakery for a little mid-shift pick-me-up.
Just my damn luck, Emerson Kane was there, chatting it up with the pretty girl behind the counter. Was there anyone this guy didn’t flirt with?
Like you should talk. Too bad it doesn’t do anything to drown out the voices in your head.
At our entrance, she looked up. “Hi, Officers. Everything okay? We don’t have any problems.” Her eyes widened with nerves.
I tried to make my smile reassuring as I explained. “All good. Just doing a walk-around. We—”