Epilogue
Darren
Nicole went down two hours ago, and I haven't moved from my spot on the couch. I've been playing this stupid game where pigs shoot color blocks since the show I was watching turned off. Some days I just need to turn my brain off, and this is how I do it.
Today, is one of those days.
There honestly could've been two of me. My mom ended up having to pick up Nicole, and I'd had to rush home and make dinner.
On these days, I wish I had someone to share this life with.
When i finish the last of the game, I switch over to social media, and click on the profile of the woman who's had my attention the last few weeks. Macie.
When we met at the Lean To, I hadn't been looking for anything, and neither had she. All either of us had been planning to do was dance a little, maybe drink a few beers, but we quickly became each other's favorite dance partners.
"Then you started looking for her every time you went there, and outside of the place, too," I mumble to myself. "Which was stupid, considering you said you'd never be in a relationship again."
That's what I'm good at, berating myself for stupid shit.
It's why I don't pay attention to the car that pulls in the driveway until they shut off the engine, and I see someone walking up to the front door.
If I'm not mistaken, it's the woman I've been thinking about.
Getting up, I head toward the door so that she won't ring the bell or knock.
Nicole isn't used to people showing up at night, and even though she's in her room, I have no idea how she'll react.
This is the first time that Macie's been here, but I'm sure it wasn't hard for her to find me.
In a town this small, everyone knows where everyone else lives.
I get to the door right as she does, and open it. "Hey, come on in," I whisper. "Nic's asleep."
She nods, but keeps her head down, so I can't see her face. "I didn't mean to interrupt or cause a fuss," she says, but her voice is slightly muffled.
There's something about it that spikes my interest. I haven't been a cop as long as I have without taking note of what's going on around me. "Hey, what's going on?" I ask, following her with my gaze. She walks around and behind me, giving me her back.
"Something happened tonight, and I didn't want to go home by myself."
My stomach drops. There are a few things that may have happened, but she's a woman, and I'm used to seeing the worst that people have to offer.
Doesn't mean that it doesn't affect me when those things happen to the people I care about.
However, with my training, I know I have to wait for her to be ready to tell me what's going on.
So, although I want to grab her by the arm, turn her around, and fire questions at her, I don't. "You don't have to be home by yourself," I say softly.
"You're welcome to stay here. I just need to know you're okay. "
She makes a noise in the back of her throat. "Okay? Are any of us really okay?"
"No," I answer honestly, rocking back on my heels. "We're all just doing the best we can with what we have."
"You're right about that." She turns, but she doesn't look at me. Her gaze stays on the floor.
"Macie. Show me your face, please?" I ask as carefully as I can. It won't do any good to try and force her. She's already been through a lot tonight.
When she looks up at me, and I see the blood, along with the bruise, I see red. "Who did this?"
"A patient's partner or husband. I'm not sure. I just don't want to be alone."
I wrap her in my arms, whispering. "You don't have to be alone. I've got you."
But in my mind I'm promising myself. I'm going to find who this motherfucker is, and I'll make sure he never hurts another woman again.
Especially my woman.
Darren & Macie arrive July 4th