Chapter Twelve #3
Diesel’s first instinct was to run to Kuba. It only took half a heartbeat for the pain of Kuba’s words to cut through him again. He wasn’t needed. Kuba didn’t need anyone. He wasn’t Diesel’s problem anymore.
“Oh,” Timber said, sounding more like his usual self.
“Speaking of that, Steel said Kuba’s father called.
Since you’re not answering your phone, Steel asked me to pass along that Krystof called.
” That couldn’t be good. “He said to tell you Krystof thanks you for keeping his son safe. Krystof would love to talk to you about staying on with the family, but no matter what you decide, he’s transferred a bonus to give to you.
Steel sent it straight to your account.”
Diesel polished off his beer. “Yeah. I’m not going back.”
Timber focused on him. “You can have any client you like. Steel won’t make you go anywhere you don’t want. If Krystof’s family is a hard line for you, Steel would never put you in that position.”
“Oh. I assumed I was fired anyhow.” Diesel didn’t have the heart to say he had meant he was done with this job.
Timber snorted at Diesel’s words. “I venture to say there isn’t a single person on Steel’s payroll who hasn’t slept with a client. You spend too much time together. It’s almost inevitable.”
Timber made the situation he was in sound normal. Maybe it was, but Diesel didn’t do casual, and his relationship with Kuba had meant too much to him. Still, he oddly felt better. At least he knew if he came out the other side of this still wanting his job, Steel would be there.
He cracked open another beer. “Well, at least alcohol is a thing that exists.”
Timber burst out laughing.
“Damn, you guys are everywhere I look.”
They went on alert in unison, showing the training they had been given.
Sandy headed their way. He wore a loose t-shirt and running shorts, as if he had been out for a jog.
“Hey.” A strange sense of happiness came over Diesel at Sandy’s appearance. “How does this keep happening?”
As always, Sandy was all smiles and bright eyes. “Probably because we live in the same neighborhood. This is my usual jogging route.”
“Let us be your bad influence. Come join us.”
Timber shot Diesel a death look at his offer.
Diesel ignored him. This was his pity party. He could invite whoever he wanted.
Sandy chose the spot next to Diesel. He could feel the heat radiating from Sandy’s body. It was kind of nice. Sandy’s gaze moved between Timber and Diesel. “So what has you guys illegally drinking in a public park?”
Timber snorted. It was an ugly sound.
Sandy focused on him. “Have we met?”
Timber practically snarled at the guy. “You arrested me.”
“Ha! I never forget a face.”
Diesel fought not to laugh his ass off. Timber looked disgusted by Sandy’s presence, while Sandy looked like he was having the time of his life.
Sandy didn’t let up. “You’re that bodyguard who interfered with a police investigation after a drug bust.”
A low growl rumbled from Timber, making Diesel wonder if he should move out of the strike zone. “I wasn’t interfering. My client was high-profile. It’s my job to keep clients safe. Just because you’re a cop doesn’t mean she was safe with you. In fact, that made her less so in my eyes.”
Sandy never stopped smiling. Nothing ever seemed to dampen his mood. “Yay. A fuck-the-police guy.”
Timber rolled his eyes. “You’re less safe because you have a fucking gun. I don’t give two shits about your job.”
Sandy shook his head. “You’re an odd duck.”
Diesel had to intervene. “Would you like a beer?” He was all too aware he had just offered Timber’s beer to a guy Timber obviously disliked. Diesel was more than a little relieved when he declined.
“Nah. Someone will have to make sure you two get home safely.”
Timber rolled his eyes. “You’re jogging. How in the hell do you plan to get us home safely? You gonna carry us on your back?”
Sandy motioned over his shoulder. “My house is on the other side of that small treeline. You can stumble that far… unless you’re a slush who always passes out. I’m not dragging you anywhere. Are you a slush?”
It couldn’t have been more obvious that Sandy baited him. Sandy still looked as if he was having the time of his life.
Timber shrugged. “Maybe I’ll pass out just to spite you. I’m not scared to sleep in a park.”
Sandy turned extra perky. “Score. I get to arrest you again in the morning for that.”
Diesel burst out laughing. Sandy had always been hilarious. He needed that right now.
Sandy looked his way, still grinning from ear to ear.
He winked, and something shifted inside Diesel.
A realization washed over him. He would be okay.
Kuba hadn’t been meant for him long term and that was life.
He would move on with the happy memories and leave the rest. Tonight, he would start over, looking toward a new future.
He planned to completely turn his life upside down and shake out the happiness he deserved.
Tomorrow, he would look for another job.
Then, who knew? Maybe a soulmate would find him.
For now, he had beer and friends. He wasn’t alone.
His shoulders relaxed. So this was what it was like to feel young. Diesel could get used to it.