15. Smitty #2
Me:
How’s your day going?
I smiled to myself as I pictured her packing up after a long day. I could only imagine the chaos that waited for her when she picked up Anslee at daycare. I figured it would be a bit before she got back to me, so I shoved my phone into my pocket and headed out to my bike.
I had a shift at the Vault in twenty, so I had to get going. As soon as I pulled into the parking lot, I pulled out my phone to check my messages, and there was still nothing. I didn’t want to overthink it, but something didn’t feel right.
Me:
Everything okay?
The message showed as delivered, but like before, there was no reply.
My stomach tightened. I was being ridiculous. She had a job, and if she wasn’t still at work, she was busy with Anslee. She couldn’t just drop everything to respond to my damn text.
I knew that.
But it didn’t stop my mind from going places it shouldn’t.
I started wondering if she’d talked to Ryan or if she was suddenly questioning things between us.
Maybe she thought we’d made a mistake. By the time my phone buzzed with a text, I’d already convinced myself of about twenty different worst-case scenarios.
I glanced down at the message, and relief washed over me when I read:
Brooke:
Sorry. It’s been a crazy day.
You still stopping by later?
Me:
It’ll be late.
Brooke:
I don’t care what time it is.
Me:
Okay. I’ll be there.
Need me to bring anything?
Brooke:
Just you.
Oh, and maybe some apple juice for Anslee’s lunch tomorrow.
Me:
You got it.
Brooke:
Thank you.
Anslee will be jealous she missed you.
Me:
I’ll make it up to her.
Brooke:
I know you will.
Me:
I’ll be there as soon as I can.
Brooke:
Looking forward to it.
My mind was on one thing and one thing only.
Getting to my girls. Unfortunately, I had five long hours to get through before that could happen.
Thankfully, it didn’t seem like it was going to be a crazy night.
Mondays were usually slow, and I hoped that would hold true tonight.
I took my post next to Rusty at the back of the bar, and I tried to keep my focus on the job and not the phone in my pocket.
“You good over there?”
“Just got a lot on my mind.”
“I hear ya.” He shook his head. “Heard Shep’s got it down to four, maybe five, members we could’ve missed.”
“Hadn’t heard that.”
“Grim and Ghost are tracking down some Benson guy, and if they find him, they’re bringing him back to the clubhouse.”
“Grim gonna try to get him to talk?”
“I figure that’s the plan. If they can find him… There’s always the chance that he’s already been dealt with.”
“Time will tell.”
One hour bled into the next, and I couldn’t have been more ready to see Skid walk through the front door. He was my relief for the night, so I said my goodbyes and headed straight for my bike. When I finally got to Brooke’s, it was almost eleven.
I figured Brooke was already in bed. I hated to wake her, but I needed to give her the juice I’d picked up for Anslee. I was just going to leave it on the front step, but the second I got off my bike, the front porch light came on.
I made my way up the steps and found Brooke waiting for me at the door. She eased it open and said, “You made it.”
“Sorry so late.” I stepped inside and offered her the bottle of juice. “You should be in bed.”
“I couldn’t sleep if I wanted to.”
She carried the bottle into the kitchen and placed it in the fridge before returning to me. “Long day?”
“The longest.”
“You look exhausted.” I took her hand in mine, brushing the pad of my thumb over her knuckles. “I should get out of here and let you…”
“No, I don’t want you to go.” The answer came so fast it made me smile. “I’ll be fine.”
“Okay. Let’s at least get comfortable on the couch or something.”
She nodded, and I followed her into the living room.
We sat down on the sofa, and at first, neither of us spoke.
I wasn’t bothered by the silence. We both had a way of getting in our heads, but tonight was different.
She kept twisting her silver ring around her index finger, and she was chewing on the inside of her jaw.
It was something I’d seen her do whenever something was bothering her.
“You sure you’re okay?”
She nodded, at first. But after a moment, she shook her head and muttered, “No.”
“What’s going on?”
“Something happened at work today.” I could feel the tension radiating off her as she said, “But before I tell you, you need to understand something about my job.”
“O-kay.”
“There are strict rules about confidentiality. It’s not just encouraged, it’s mandatory. There are HIPAA laws and a hundred other things, and if I share the wrong thing with the wrong person, I could get fired and lose everything I’ve worked for.”
“I know how it works. It’s the same way with the club. There are certain things we can’t and won’t share. Not with anyone. It’s how we keep the family safe.”
“Then, you know I would be putting everything on the line if I shared something from a case with you.”
“Yes, Brooke. I get it.”
She looked at me for another long moment, then grabbed her phone from the coffee table. “I have something I need to show you.”
I had no idea what was on that phone.
But if the worried look on her face was any indication, it wasn’t good.