“I thought this was a bar for cops,” Roberts complains.
“Shut up and eat,” I order, and he digs in. Not for the first time, I wonder if he is purposefully irritating to get something he really wants and not what it looks like he wants.
“Walker,” Dwight shouts, his hands cupped around his mouth. “Back here.”
The fire captain for Station 52, Hayden Walker is a good guy. I’ve worked with him before on ride-alongs when he wanted to ease tensions between the PD and CFD after a brutal misunderstanding that got two civilians and a cop killed…and a firefighter brought up on charges. Hayden had been brought in from down east, from some hole-in-the-wall town near Wilmington, to play nice. Apparently, as a state senator’s son, he has a gift for public relations.
“Hayden,” I say, tipping up my chin at him in greeting.
He takes a seat across from me, unconcerned with who might be behind him. I can’t fault him, though. Hayden puts his life on the line, but people are usually glad to see his flashing lights. Or, at the very least, they are grateful.
“Thought I’d drop by and see if King’s was on the menu tonight,” he says. A flash of his infamous smile makes more than a few heads turn at nearby tables. The women in here cannot keep their eyes off him. He’s got that angel-face look combined with a devil-may-care attitude—women dig that more than cuffs.
“Not up for it tonight, but thanks,” I say. My partner won’t go because he’s a happily married guy with two kids. Even if I wanted to go, I wouldn’t attempt to drag Dwight along. Doesn’t matter that his wife, Alisha, trusts him. Doesn’t matter that he’s the most faithful guy to ever walk the planet, I’m not putting any temptation in his path by going to a place known for hot servers and hotter patrons.
Hayden gives Dwight a meaningful look while Roberts continues to shove food in his face.
“You going for a world record?” Hayden asks.
“Al pescando y a la mujer, con los dedos ha de ser. In other words, I can’t be too careful.”
“If you were any more careful, you would be a monk…oh wait, you’re not that far off,” Dwight says, then leans back in his chair. “Just come out with us, man. Alisha’s cool with it.”
“Is this a setup?” I look from my partner to my friend, my eyes narrowing as I shake my head. “You didn’t.”
“They did, which is why I wanted to come,” Roberts says around a mouthful of nachos. “Dwight leaves his phone where anyone can read it. Don’t forget to pick up tampons on the way home tonight, bro.”
My partner flips off Roberts while muttering, “Shut up, man.”
Hayden rolls his eyes before rapping his knuckles against the table. “Are we going or not?”
“Maybe another time.” I stand. “Thanks for the beer and the company, but I got to see a dog about a playdate outside.”
“At least Jake is getting some action,” Hayden replies with a smirk.
Probably my dog is getting more action than me at the dog park, but he’s fixed so…“Later, guys.” I head outside.
Honestly, I should go out with them. Dwight would be an awesome wingman while Hayden doesn’t even go for my type of woman. However, neither of them knows what’s going on in my head right now or what’s been going on in my head for the past six months. Not even my partner knows.
They weren’t there when I came on the scene. They didn’t see her battered body or the way she clung to me and no one else when attempts were made to get her into the ambulance. They hadn’t held her hand on the ride over. They hadn’t stood to one side while she was inspected and photographed for evidence against the man who had beaten her.
But I was there, and until I get her out of my head, no other woman will do.
—
It’s late when I get home, but since it’s August, the sun hasn’t completely set yet. Orange and yellow lights filter down through the huge leaves in the front yard. For once, the small parking lot to the right of the building is filled. All six spots taken.
Looks like someone finally rented the last apartment available. It just so happens to be the one across from mine.
My apartment is one of six in a huge mansion built in the early 1900s that was recently converted. It’s quiet. Peaceful. People are friendly but aren’t all up in your business.
All in all, it’s the perfect place. Though, this neighborhood doesn’t hold the best memories for me. I’d gotten into a lot of fights. Fights with other kids and the man who couldn’t keep his hands off my mom.
I think that’s why I had to come back—to face my demons. To show the people who do remember my family and me that I’ve done something with my life. That I am one of the good guys now, that I’ve stopped fighting to stay alive to be a man who fights against crime. Like a superhero. Only without the cool costume or billions in the bank.
Two out of three isn’t bad.