Mickey wasn’t either.
I could tell when he said, “And not real big on you insinuating that Janice could be somethin’ else to me.”
“If that’s the case then perhaps you’ll take this moment to share where things stand with you and Bridget.”
“Bridget?” he asked, looking perplexed, like he’d never heard that name in his life.
God!
Really?
“Yes,” I returned. “You see, you made it very clear when it became clear something might be happening between you and me that I needed to get rid of Bradley. It was uncomfortable and I’d already planned to do that, but just in case you have any ongoing queries about that, I’ll confirm that I ended things with Bradley. Now I’d like to know where things stand with you and Bridget.”
“Went out with her twice,” he told me.
“Is that your answer?” I pushed.
“Not sure what more you need,” he shot back.
“Are you going out with her again?” I explained, and his stormy expression turned thunderous.
“You really askin’ me that shit?”
“We’ve been on a date, Mickey,” I replied. “I’m rusty with this but I do think it’s within your rights not to want exclusive at this early juncture. However, I do believe it’s within my rights, if you don’t want that, not for you to expect that from me.”
He lifted up a hand, snapped loudly twice and clipped, “Reality check, babe. You are not standin’ here havin’ it out with your ex. I’m,” he leaned toward me, “Mickey.”
I felt my eyes get wide in preparation for my head to explode.
“Did you just snap at me?”
“Yeah, seein’ as you were in the middle of a flashback, havin’ a conversation with a guy who’d be asshole enough to make you end somethin’ with a douche so he could start somethin’ with you at the same time carryin’ on with somebody else. That guy not bein’ me.”
“Well, I’m sorry I’m troubling you with this conversation, however, I’ll make my apologies reminding you that we haven’t actually had this conversation or many conversations at all since we never see each other.”
“Amy, I work.”
“I’m aware of that, Mickey.”
“Got kids,” he went on.
“That hadn’t escaped me either.”
“And give my time to the department when I got it to give.”
“Which is a lot,” I noted.
The thunderous went out of his face and angry, surprised wariness slid in when he asked, “That a problem for you?”
I shook my head incredulously. “You doing what you’ve always wanted to do?”
“I made that clear enough you know that’s what I need, which makes your comment about me spendin’ a lot of time doin’ it somethin’ that doesn’t sit real good with me.”
“Perhaps I made that comment since you spend a lot of time doing a lot of other things and all those other things don’t really involve me,” I retorted.
His expression again changed to disbelieving with a hint of repulsion. “So you’re havin’ a shit fit because you want your piece of me?”
“No, Mickey Donovan,” I snapped. “I’m having a shit fit because I want you to give some indication you want your piece of me.”
His upper body swung back and his voice quieted when he replied, “You know I do, Amy.”
“Really? I’m sorry, that escaped me.”
“Got shit on, a lot of it, and you know it.”
“You’re right. I do. And I understand that. And I wouldn’t have a problem with it. One date we’ve had, I am aware that doesn’t shoot me up to the top of your priority list. But I’d like some indication I’ve actually been scratched on it.”
His face started to go hard again when he stated, “The shit in my life, I bring a woman into it, I need some understanding.”
“And you’d have that,” I returned. “If I knew what I was understanding.”
“And you’d know that,” he fired back. “If you’d fuckin’ asked.”
“Fine,” I bit off, throwing out my hands. “Consider this my formal request.”
His eyes flashed. “Jesus, you’re a serious fuckin’ smartass.”
I lifted my brows. “Shall I take that as you declining my request?”
“Yeah, babe,” he clipped while on the move toward me. “That request is declined until I can cool off and speak to you without doin’ that at the same time I wanna spank your ass.”
I didn’t have the chance to make a dramatic gesture by opening the door for him, considering he was moving so quickly he got there before me, but I did manage to get in my final shot.
“That effort would be appreciated, Mickey.”
I got that off, aimed at his back, right before he slammed the door behind him.
I glared at it.
Then I leaped to it and locked it.
That done, as Billie Holiday serenaded me, I stomped back to my kitchen, tossed down my phone and stared at the omelet on my fantastic new plate, trying to convince myself not to pick it up and throw it across the room.
Billie barely got in there before I heard banging at my door again.