26. Tripp
Chapter 26
Tripp
I know that it is never a good thing when a mayor decides to pay a visit to your office. It should always be the other way around. And yet, Mayor Fitzgerald is here, crossing my threshold. Peering up through a furrowed brow, I watch him step in and close my office door. The second bad sign.
“Sheriff Forester, have a minute?” He’s oddly formal this morning, making that the third omen.
“By all means, come in,” I sigh, motioning to the worn chair across from my desk.
Damn, I’d rather be back in bed with Ivy. I could have stayed like that all day. It took more than ten years to get here, with her finally being mine. And I want nothing more than to make up for lost time. But instead of being at home, tangled up blissfully, I’m about to get some real bad news.
“I talked with a friend this morning, one of the Manchester County Commissioners. I’m sorry, Tripp. It’s official. The signatures started last night to recall you. I asked to be the one to deliver the news, a friendly face.”
This isn’t a surprise, but it hits me all the same. Leaning back in my chair and crossing my arms, I can’t help but think about Pops. He would be so disappointed. And how do I tell Ivy?
I find myself nodding as Fitzy rambles on about the recall process and that it is difficult to actually get a recall to stick. He tells me that I shouldn’t worry, this isn’t set in stone. All I know is that he uses the word “recall” a lot.
“And I’m thinking, maybe we should move forward with canceling Fall Fest, with everything going on.”
“I’m sorry, Mayor, but that’s bullshit. One thing doesn’t relate to the other.” It probably comes out harsher than intended, but I push on. Albeit, in a softer tone. “There’s no threat there. Why are you so determined to cancel it?”
“Determined to cancel it? I wouldn’t say that.”
“It seems like it from where I’m sitting. Is this a reputation thing for you? I can see how the town might try to pull you down with me. But tell me that then, don’t make it a safety concern that isn’t there.”
Fitzy drops his gaze, refusing to meet my eye. I’m on to something, then. I continue confidently, “If it’s not your reputation, then I need to start looking into your motivations. They might be more concerning.”
Shaking his head, a small smile stretches across the mayor’s face. “You know, I appreciate how you’re always a straight shooter with me. Just like your grandfather. And you’re right, I put too much stock in the people’s opinion of me.”
Interesting, he might truly think I’m right. Or I just called his bluff. Should I have been looking into Fitzy?
I push the thought from my head. It would make no sense if he was the vandal. The idea of looking closer at the people I’ve known my whole life must be getting to me. It may have something to do with why I was so eager to get Reid for this. Other than the fact that I wanted to tear him limb from limb for trying to make a disgusting bet about getting Ivy to bed.
“Then you’re done trying to pull the festival?”
“This is the last you’ll hear of it. Especially so soon, I’m not sure what I was thinking.”
“Well, I’m glad we see eye to eye on this, sir.”
We rise in unison and shake hands amicably. Fitzy sees himself out and then there I am, alone once again with a cluttered desk and a cluttered mind. I check my watch and see that I have an hour before I start my patrol. I know exactly how I need to spend it.
Grabbing my keys, I head for the door, running into Chuck on the way. “You good, son? I saw the mayor leave.”
“All good, just have to make a stop before my patrol.”
“It’s okay, you know. That you weren’t ready for this. You’re young and it’s your girl being targeted. That’s gotta be the worst part.”
“Alright, see you later, Deputy.” I give him a wave, about at the end of my rope with niceties and politics for the day.
The drive to the Brick District is peaceful, at least. And when I wrap my hand around the etched fox handle at The Open Book, I already start to feel the stress melt away. There are a handful of people milling about the store, none of which I know. Maybe the day is turning around, because I’m able to pass right by them without any mention of me failing at my job. Ivy looks up from the checkout counter as I approach, that sweet smile of hers spreading across her face as she surveys me head to toe. It feels good, just being in her presence. Being able to come to my girlfriend for support.
I make my way around the counter and take her hand in mine. “Hi, you.”
“Hi,” she giggles as I tug her back into her office. “What are you doing here?”
I sweep her up in my arms and press my face into her sweet, flowery hair. “I just needed to see you,” I murmur.
Ivy must hear it in my tone, because she pulls back and searches my eyes. “What happened?”
Quick and painless, just get it out. “The recall started,” I tell her.
“ Tripp ,” she whispers, leaning in and wrapping her arms around me, “I’m sorry.” She doesn’t try to tell me it will be okay, she’s just here. And that’s exactly what I need. Tightening my hold on her, it’s a relief to give in to the voice in my head that Ivy is the only thing that will curb the pressure in my chest.
With each soft kiss she plants along my jawline, I feel that pressure loosen. It dissipates like a cloudy day giving way to the sun. “I just need to wrap this case up,” I reason.
“You will.” There’s not an ounce of doubt in her tone, there never is.
“And I’ve been thinking about the last note you got. Running the risk of sounding too conceited, I’m starting to think this whole thing is actually about me.”
Ivy pushes me down into her chair and perches on the edge of the desk before me. “What changed your mind?”
For a moment, I forget where I was going with this. The only thing I’m thinking about is her tight little sweater paired with those white jeans that sit high on her waist and hug her hips. The lines of her body call to me, and I reach out, taking hold of those perfect curves. “What was I saying?” I murmur absently.
“The vandal has it out for you,” she replies with a shiver as my hands drag up her ribs.
“Right. It only started after I was elected, and when random hits in less risky locations didn’t get to me, they started coming after you. The notes threatening you specifically mention your boyfriend. The tone is personal.”
“It makes sense, do you think that would be Jackson then?”
“No, that doesn’t sound like Jackson.”
“Where does that leave you with suspects then?”
“I guess I’ll be spending patrol thinking of people that don’t like me,” I say with a shrug. “And speaking of, it’s about time for me to head out.”
With a gentle pull, I slide Ivy down off her desk until she’s straddling my lap. This is the opposite of getting up to leave. But it was too tempting, the way she was sitting there. I move my hands up her back, tilting my face to meet hers and taking her bottom lip with my teeth.
Ivy gasps, her own hands coming to lace together behind my neck. “My office doesn’t have a door,” she groans into my mouth.
“I can change that.” I chase my words with a series of short kisses before burying my face against her neck. I can feel her smile against me, like an imprint straight to my heart. This is exactly the break I needed, but it is only a short break.
Lifting her off my lap, I rise and press a kiss to her temple. “I was also thinking I’d meet Wes for a drink tonight, tell him that I fell for his sister.”
“ Tonight ?” she balks. “You wait to mention that as you’re leaving! Should I… is this something we should tell him together?”
“You’ve been through so much lately; I’d like to take this one for us. But if it’s important for you to be there, I’ll happily change my plan. Besides, in his eyes, I’d be the one betraying him.”
“That was some equal betrayal we did in bed last night,” Ivy whispers. She doesn’t need to remind me about last night. Best night of my life.
She studies me for a moment before nodding decidedly. “Okay, but after you’re done with Wes, come straight over?”
I kiss her, signaling my agreement to her plan. “I’ll see you tonight,” I promise. Withdrawing my phone from my pocket, I head back out to start patrol, pulling up my best friend’s name.
Tripp
Grab a beer tonight?
Wes
MBC? Like 7? I’ll tell Hayden.
Tripp
See you there.
I turn my key, the engine roaring to life. Next, I need to start thinking about potential suspects. I might as well get a list going of people that are against me before I have to add my best friend to it.
Walking into Manchester Brewing Company isn’t as pleasant a feeling as just a few weeks ago. Unlike before, Wes isn’t here yet. But Hayden is already planted on a barstool. We need a different seat this time, though. I’m not about to have this go down in the center of everyone, it’s bad enough he’s about to witness it too.
“A Clever Fox,” I order. Turning to him, I motion to the patio through the double doors. “Head out there?”
He looks over his shoulder and shrugs as the bartender slides me the drink. “Yeah, sure.”
There’s no one else outside, perks of coming on a late October weeknight. I grab a seat at the far fire pit, giving us as much distance from the other patrons as I can. Sinking back into a wooden Adirondack chair, I take a generous pull from my drink.
“So, how are things going?” Hayden asks, dropping into the seat beside me.
“I might be joining your rescue team after all.”
“Yeah, I heard a rumor about a recall petition. I don’t think it’ll happen though.” He says it casually, as if my being recalled isn’t really an option. Hayden’s been through plenty, and the confidence and ease he carries despite it all astounds me.
“You mean you’re not signing?” I laugh before taking another drink.
“If it’ll get you on my team, maybe I should.”
“Tripp is joining the team?” Wes asks, stepping into the light of the fire. A familiar knot twists my gut as he takes a seat on the other side of me.
“Working on it,” Hayden replies.
“So, pretty weird that I have to ask you this… but how’s my sister doing with everything going on?”
I tense, beer half raised to my lips. If this feels weird to him already, I’m screwed. Wes always did say that he loved coming home between trips because things never changed. This is his constant. And I’m about to blow that up, with our best friend as a witness.
Then again, Hayden’s presence might help the situation. That ease of his could come in handy to calm things down. Maybe it’s best to just knock this out. Setting my beer on the ground beside my chair, I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees.
“Speaking of, there is something I need to talk to you about,” I start, my eyes trained on the dancing flames before us. They’re steady, flickering in the light breeze, and I use them to steady myself. “You know that I consider you my best friend, and I appreciate everything over the years.”
Beside me, Wes stills. “Okay…” There’s a skeptical edge to his tone, he knows this isn’t good news.
“I’ve never wanted to fuck that up. Ever.”
His jaw tenses as silence hangs between us. But he remains wordless. Does he know where I’m going with this? I reach for my beer and take a gulp before looking his way.
“The thing is, I think… no, that’s not accurate. I know . I know that I have been in love with Ivy for all of those years.” I flinch as I utter the words. I know how it sounds, like I’m the worst friend ever. And it’s going to get worse, because I’m not telling him about unrequited feelings. There’s more.
“You’re fucking with me, right? This is your shitty idea of a joke.”
“No, man. It’s not. I love her. I’ve got it so bad that it seriously kills me to be apart from her, even for a short time like tonight. And the day her store was trashed… the second she called me for help, it was like this feeling surged with full force.”
“If you lay a finger on her—” Wes starts.
I drop my gaze in shame. This is the part I really fucked up. And he can tell. The second I broke eye contact; it told him everything he needed to know.
“You already did,” he guesses coldly.
“She feels the same way. It just happened.”
It just happened ; I always hated that phrase. Like it excuses your actions because they are out of your control. But in a way, this was out of my control. My heart had enough and broke free from its cage.
“Look at me,” he bites out. “Fucking look at me while you tell me that you screwed my sister.”
“Wes—” Hayden starts. But I’m already lifting my eyes slowly. And the last thing I see is Wes’s fist before it connects with my face. Pain radiates out from the point of contact, and by the time I get my bearings, only Hayden and I remain by the fire.
“You good?” he asks, a skeptical look on his face. I’m reading his expression as a distinct metallic smell catches my attention. Wiping under my nose, I withdraw my hand to find a streak of blood. Makes sense. With my non-bloodied hand, I pick up my cold beer and hold it against my face. That could have gone worse, I guess.
“Yeah, I’m good.” I say after a minute.
“So, Ivy, huh?”
“Yeah.”
“And you love her?”
“I really fucking love her.”
“Hey, that is great, man. And it makes sense, honestly. I’m not sure why Wes was so surprised.” He nods to himself and stretches his legs out towards the fire. Nothing seems to get to Hayden, other than Poppy, and I really appreciate his relaxed presence right now. He doesn’t ask any other questions about what happened, just enjoys a beer with me as if blood isn’t staining my face.
After a second round, the bleeding has stopped, and we’re headed through the parking lot to take off for the night. Despite everything, I have to admit, there’s a small part of me that’s relieved. It’s out now, I’m not keeping the secret from Wes any longer.
Climbing into the Defender, I pull up Ivy’s name and let her know I’m on my way.
Tripp
Well. I didn’t get to everything, but he knows enough.
Ivy
How bad??
Tripp
Don’t freak out when you see me.
Ivy
Tripp! What does that mean?
Tripp
I’m going to grab us dinner then be on my way to you, honey. Don’t worry.
Ivy
Don’t freak out. Don’t worry. This is sounding very reassuring…
Tripp
[red heart emoji]