11. Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Doug
I took a deep breath and shored up my resolve as I got out of my truck, and another as I grabbed my backpack, which had a six-pack of beer, my gaming controller, and headset. The guys had been mostly quiet about my date with Beth while we were in the office, but I knew that’d change tonight. And while I didn’t mind a little friendly ribbing, I tended to keep my personal life, well, personal.
I’ve never been accused of being an open book . The only reason anyone at SSI knew I had a date this weekend was because Beth was a part of the extended Sheppard family. I took another deep breath and knocked.
Jack opened the door, a huge shit-eating grin on his face. “Come on in.”
“Thanks,” I answered the greetings as I walked to the kitchen and put my beer in the fridge. “Anyone need a beer?” I asked as I twisted the cap off mine.
A chorus of, “nah, I’m good,” rang out.
We quickly decided what to order for dinner, with Jamie making a joke about how much easier it was with just us guys because the girls always hemmed and hawed about what they wanted. After ordering two large supreme pizzas and chicken wings, we set up the game system for some friendly team competition. I partnered with Jamie, and AJ with Jack. AJ and Jack joked about our team having an unfair advantage—I’d been trained by the Air Force to use gaming systems to operate drones and test special operations strategies and tactics.
I loved that part of my job.
Jamie was quick to remind them, “I don’t game half as much as either of you, so Doug will have to pick up the slack.” He slapped me on the shoulder. “You don’t mind, do you?”
“I got your back, bro.” I laughed. Dare I hope they won’t bring up my date?
“Before we start,” AJ said, a sly grin on his face, “let’s hear about Doug's lunch date.”
No such luck. All eyes focused on me. Damn it . I hated being the center of attention, preferring to linger on the edges and observe.
“It’s no big deal.” It was, but none of them knew I’d been harboring feelings for Beth for months, “I’m taking Beth to lunch tomorrow.” I shrugged, trying to play it down.
I’d noticed Beth last year, soon after starting at SSI. How could I not? I saw her almost every day when I picked up our coffees. I’d thought about asking her out a few times before, but chickened out, worried things would be awkward if she wasn’t interested.
“Where are you taking her?” Jamie asked.
“She suggested The Breakfast Joint.”
“You guys will like it. It was Isabelle’s favorite restaurant.” Isabelle was Jamie’s late wife. She’d been murdered by a stalker just over four years ago. Jamie was the first cop on scene. I could only imagine what it was like for him. Her death was the catalyst for creation of Sheppard then I’d just have to avoid Grannie’s until the dust settled.
Saved by the doorbell, signaling the arrival of our food, I handed Jack a twenty then went to the kitchen to grab another round of beer for everyone. We talked while we ate, but, thankfully not about my love life. I preferred sports and gaming strategies, they were familiar territory.
“My plan is to let Doug do all the heavy lifting while I cover his six,” Jamie joked.
“So, the same as last time?” Jack asked. “You know, big brother, you could play more and get better, so Doug doesn’t have to carry your sorry ass every time we play.”
“I could, but I have better things to do with my time,” Jamie answered.
We all knew he’d rather spend time with Emily than gaming. For him, tonight was about the company, not the competition. The rest of us were out for blood.
“I plan on kicking your asses with or without Jamie’s help,” I bragged. Jamie might not be a good partner in the game, but in real life, when it mattered, he was someone you could count on to always have your back. In real life he had the skills to do it.
“Care to put your money where your mouth is?” AJ asked.
Jamie groaned, despite the fact I won more often than I lost.
“How much?” I asked.
“How much do you want to lose?” AJ was feeling extra confident tonight.
“Hey, I’m still paying to renovate my house and I have a wife to support. So don’t go too crazy.” Jack was all bark, no bite. SSI was turning a good profit, and Meg could support herself.
“Don’t let Meg hear you say that,” Jamie interjected.
“She won’t if you keep your mouth shut,” Jack said.
“So how much, Sharpe?” AJ asked.
“A hundred.”
“A hundred it is. Ante up.” AJ said as he pulled out his wallet.
The game lasted late into the night with only the occasional pauses to refresh our beers, hit the head, or eat the brownies Meg had left for us. I appreciated the tasty baked goods she always left for us on game nights.
Jamie and I won, but it wasn’t easy. “Thanks, boys.” I said to AJ and Jack, as Jamie split up our winnings.
“Double or nothing next time.” AJ said knowing we never went over a hundred. We were competitive, not high rollers.
“Maybe we’re paying him too much,” Jamie said to Jack in response to AJ’s suggestion.
“No, sir. But I’m a single man who just got a pay raise, so I can afford it.” AJ flashed a grin before draining his beer.
AJ had recently earned his degree and finished the other requirements needed to become a licensed private investigator in Texas. Going from a bodyguard to PI came with a nice pay raise, and a lot more responsibility.
Meg came home as we were leaving and didn’t waste any time telling me to behave myself on my date with Beth before hugging me goodbye. Jack and Jamie echoed her sentiment, shaking my hand and clapping me on the back.