Chapter 6 #2
I hesitate, feeling unsure of what he means.
“If someone needs your help, I’m confident you can help them. Maybe you can save that kid I couldn’t save.”
“But what if I can’t?” I ask, voice quiet. “What if I make a mistake?”
“Everyone makes mistakes. Just like that bitch ex of mine when she fucked that guy on my bed! Shoot her other tit! Knock that fucker right off!”
So I take the shot… not just right at that moment… but with the job they need me to do.
When I walk into the conference room the next day, I find that I’m not alone. There are two others in the room, both faces I recognize.
“Ward! I missed your face,” Tate exclaims as he grabs me in a headlock instead of a hug. He smacks my cheek a bit while he beams at me. “The moment I heard you were involved, I knew this would be a walk in the park.”
“Please don’t put so much pressure on me,” I say, pushing him off. There is a higher-standing official here, after all. And while I’m no longer a part of them, I really don’t feel overly interested in making a fool of myself.
“I’m going to hit the restroom before the meeting starts. Do you know where it is?”
A new voice says, “It’s a bit convoluted. I’m heading to an office near there; I’ll take you.”
I look over at the speaker and lift an eyebrow as I take notice of the man watching me.
He’s extremely handsome, about my height with just a little more of a build to him.
My body type makes me look like a runner or a swimmer, but he’s bulkier with short brown hair and dark blue eyes.
He has a bit of stubble, but I have to assume it’ll be swept away shortly since too much facial hair generally isn’t permitted, even with him being a higher rank.
“Grayson Barnes,” he says as he holds a hand out, not realizing that I already know his name quite well.
I’m surprised that he’s introducing himself so casually before I decide it’s because he’s not seeing me as a lower rank. I take it, but before I can shake it, he continues, “Although… we’ve met before, haven’t we?”
“We have,” I say as we begin walking, knowing that I definitely wouldn’t forget noticing a handsome man like him.
“You’re that guy who completely showed me up, aren’t you?” he asks with a laugh, and I love the sound of it.
Clearly, I need to keep myself in check before I fall head over heels in love with this guy just because he’s noticed me.
I’m like a blushing bride over here. Years ago, I thought that he was nice and funny, but what thrilled me the most was when Tate told me that the guy I was pretending not to stare at was gay, having run into Grayson when he’d been out with his boyfriend.
I poked around to see if the rumor was true, and even though I was positive I’d never have a shot with him, I did manage to confirm it when someone told me he’d broken up with his boyfriend. Needless to say, I know who he is, even if he only remembers meeting me once.
He has such an easygoing personality that he’s instantly buddies with everyone he meets. And on top of that, he’s always been highly respected, loved, and looked up to. All things that my mother assured me I’d never be.
It really is foolish of me to care so much.
“I’m excited to get to work with you,” Grayson says. “Watching what you can do is pretty impressive.”
“Don’t make me blush,” I tease.
“Hey, I’m not afraid to dish out compliments.”
“Don’t believe this guy,” Lieutenant Allen says as he walks by us. He gives Grayson a smack on the back. “This man has never complimented me once in all my years of knowing him.”
“I’ve thought about it,” Grayson jokes.
Lt. Allen laughs as he heads off, leaving us alone on our walk.
“I was surprised he roped you into this,” Grayson admits.
“I’m going to be really honest… I don’t fully know what I’m doing. They said they’d brief me better this evening.”
“It won’t be too hard, but I’ll leave it up to Lt. Allen to discuss. If you’re interested, I was thinking about going out and having a drink afterward to get to know everyone. I know Lt. Allen’s in charge, but his social skills are quite lacking. Whereas I… I am a beast on the dance floor.”
That makes my lips quirk. “Oh? We’re having a dance-off?”
“I kid, honestly. The last time I danced was probably in high school. I was popular and a jock and all those things the majority of people hate, so I could have gone out there and done anything and they’d have loved it. Prom king standing here before you.”
“Oh? Impressive. Is that how you introduce yourself now? Hi, I’m Grayson. Prom king of…”
He shakes his head. “I refuse to give you a date on that. Don’t make me tell you what year I graduated.”
I laugh. “You can’t be that much older than me.”
“Old enough to feel old,” he says.
“You’re still plenty young. My best friend is an eighty-six-year-old man.”
“Are you just trying to get on his will?” he asks.
“He’s asked me that before as well. And after all of the shit he’s put me through, I’d better be on it. I shot pictures of his ex-wife to make him laugh yesterday. If that’s not true love, I don’t know what is.”
“As long as it’s pictures and not the actual person, it’s minorly concerning but not illegal.”
“He loved it.”
“And now I’m curious how he’s your best friend. Really, you need to tell me all about this over some drinks tonight.”
I grin as he stops outside of the bathroom, and I find myself wishing it had been at least a mile away.
“Here you are, the fanciest toilet in this entire building.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“Anytime. If you’re fast enough, I might even lead you back.”
“I will be lightning fast.”
I can hear him laugh as he disappears into the office across from the bathroom.
I’m pretty sure I’ve never pissed and washed my hands so quickly in my life.
I’m so quick that he’s not even done grabbing whatever it is he went in there to grab and now I feel awkward waiting for him.
So I decide I’ll pretend I’m doing something ultra important on my phone while I wait.
And then I try my absolute hardest not to give him a huge smile the moment he steps out.
I’m pretty sure I fail spectacularly.