Chapter 1
SWAYZE
Lucas
Wolff, where you at?
Me
Just wrapping up at the station. Think I’m gonna bail tonight.
Lucas
No way. Don’t be that guy. The girls have been talking about this for weeks.
Me
I know, I know. It’s been a shitty day man.
Lucas
Then time with your besties is just what you need my guy.
Me
Besties? What are you, a teenage girl?
Lucas
Well, I am pretty.
Me
Pretty stupid.
Lucas
Rude. I won’t take offense to that since you’ve had a bad day. But get down here… I helpfully left a Ghostface mask in your trunk because I know you’ve got fuck all for it.
Me
Wtf, when did you break into my truck?
Lucas
Relax, I tossed it in there when we went to the hardware store the other day. See you soon.
You’re welcome by the way.
Ipush back from my desk with a sigh. Shitty day is an understatement. There’s something about being called to do a wellness check only to find the old dude DOA—no next of kin to call, an uneaten sandwich in his hand, and his TV paused mid-Friends rerun.
It does something to a guy.
I hate that kinda quiet.
The type that surrounds death.
And loneliness.
Makes me think too much, no matter how hard I try to leave my shit at the station door.
I can’t help but think about my own life.
Her…
The choices I’ve made so far.
Whether they mean I’ll be the guy who ultimately ends up alone, Chandler Bing my only friend.
See?
Does this sound like a guy who’s ready to party to you?
Much like the Friends theme song, it hasn’t been my day, my month, or maybe even my year.
Me
Fine. I’ll be there.
…for you. When the—
Goddammit, now I’ve given myself an earworm.
“Oooh hey Lieutenant, how about taking me out for a drink tonight?”
My heart sinks at the sound of that voice. Nails on a chalkboard would be preferable.
Didn’t I tell you? It really hasn’t been my day.
Mary, the chief's daughter and our office assistant, strolls in. She has her sights set on me and won’t take no for an answer.
“Sorry Mary, it’s never a good idea to mix business with pleasure. Pretty sure the chief would agree.” I try to keep my voice even, but she’s getting more persistent asking almost weekly now. It’s getting old.
“Always playing so hard to get, Lieutenant. Where’s this Deputy Heartthrob I keep hearing about? Rumor has it, he’s a good time.” She leans on my desk and picks up my pen, trailing it along her lip.
“No, Mary.” I grab my pen and toss it in the trash with a huff.
“Whatever. You’re so grumpy today.” Rolling her eyes, she spins on her heel and walks back out of my office.
Thank fuck.
I hate that damn nickname, but I should be grateful I got off easy today. At least I didn’t have to pry her hands off me for once.
Truth is Deputy Heartthrob left the building a long time ago.
Two hundred and eighty-nine days ago to be exact.
The day that irrevocably changed my friendship with the girl of my dreams.
Am I in a relationship, you ask? I fucking wish.
I would be in a heartbeat if she gave me half a chance.
Instead, I’m on a sex ban to prove to her that I’m not some playboy cheating asshole like her ex.
Problem is… I’m not sure she’s noticed.
Or even cares.
Meanwhile, I can’t stop thinking about that night.
That’s another reason I wanted to bail instead of going to some dumbass costume party. I’m not exactly thrilled at having to spend the night watching some douche hit on her while she looks hot as all hell, wearing that tiny dress she left hanging in our bathroom.
But on the other hand, if she’s had a drink or two, she might actually talk to me long enough to clear the air between us so we can try and salvage what’s left of our friendship.
Nothing has been the same since that night. These days, if she’s not with the girls, she hangs out in her room most of the time.
Our weekly movie and pizza night tradition feels like a figment of my overactive imagination at this point, and almost all our conversations revolve around whose turn it is to buy the groceries—by way of a Post-it note if she can help it.
Because fucking your best friend/roommate in a bar restroom is apparently not recommended.
Who knew?
Only everyone with half a brain cell but whatever.
Grabbing my phone and keys, I walk out to my truck with a sigh.
Ghostface it is.