I’D NEVER MET a kid like Mitchell before. He seemed sure of himself, yet so unsure of himself. I couldn’t really read him. Meagan had already filled me in about Mitchell’s father and all the bullying he had gone through when he first moved here.
“When did you know you wanted to be in law enforcement?” Mitchell asked me as we headed back to where Meagan had set up shop with her laptop and worked while I showed Mitchell around.
Taking in a deep breath, I blew it out and thought for a moment. “I’d have to say when I saw a woman being robbed. God it pissed me off so much. I ran after the asshole and knocked him to the ground and buried my knee into his back until the police showed up. The woman kept thanking me over and over. When the cop shook my hand and told me they needed more people like me, it just kind of clicked. I grew up with a single mom, so I was used to keeping her safe.”
Mitchell nodded his head as he stared down at the floor while we walked. “What about you?”
In a nonchalant kind of way, he grinned. “I guess it’s just always been something I wanted to do. My father was a cop and I remember him coming home at night and the way my mother looked relieved at first to see him . . . and then proud as hell. He used to sit me on his lap and tell me how I was going to follow in his footsteps, so that’s what I’m going to do. Make both him and my mother proud.”
I could see it in Mitchell’s face. As much as he wanted to believe this was his calling, I had a feeling it was far from what he wanted to do.
“There hasn’t been anything else you’d like to do?” I asked as we stopped outside the vacant office Meagan was working in.
“Oh I don’t know. I guess I’ve tossed around a few ideas. I’ve always loved football. Before we left California I used to coach a fifth grade football team. I loved it. I mentioned once to my mother about playing college football and if I’m lucky, pro. Then after that I’d love to coach.”
Mitchell let out a gruff laugh and shook his head as he combed his hand through his short blond hair. “That didn’t go over so well. She was pissed and said that was no way to make a living.”
I raised my eyebrows, surprised at his mother’s response. “Coaching huh? I did that for a bit while volunteering at an outreach place for boys from abused and neglected homes.”
Mitchell’s curiosity peeked. “Really? Wow, that’s really cool of you.”
Placing my hand on his shoulder, I gave it a light squeeze. “I get wanting to make your parents proud, Mitchell, but in the long run it’s your life and you have to do what makes you happy.”
With a forced smile, Mitchell nodded his head. “Yeah, tell that to my mother.”
My heart hurt for this kid. He had a talent for football, yet he was being blocked from every single side.
Mitchell reached for the door and pushed it open. Meagan was typing away on her computer when she glanced up and smiled. “Hey. How was the tour?”
Mitchell put on what I was assuming was the masked face he had gotten used to using around everyone. A weird feeling passed over me as I made a mental note to talk to Meagan about what I talked to Mitchell about.
“It was awesome. Thank you, Meg, for arranging this.”
Meagan smiled bigger, clearly thinking this was something Mitchell wanted to do.
“Well my gosh, I better get us back to the office so you can get home.” Meagan turned to me and flashed me a heavenly smile. “Thank you, Gray, for doing this for us.”
“Anytime. Mitchell, you have my number if you ever want to talk.”
Meagan’s eyes lit up as she gave me an adoring look. With a quick kiss goodbye, I watched as Meagan and Mitchell left the station. A terrible feeling came over me as I wondered how much longer Mitchell would be able to keep up this happy front of his.
“Hey there, handsome.”
Glancing up, I saw Claire standing with her hands spread across the desk and just the right amount of cleavage hanging out to make a guy do a double take.
“What do you need, Claire?”
Ever since the encounter a few weeks back at my place, Claire had kept her distance. Except for today. She saw me walking in with Meagan and Mitchell and something must have come over her because she had come up with every excuse under the sun to come talk to me today.
“It appears we don’t have your next of kin’s address correct in the system. I’m going to need you to come to my office and update that.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. She clearly was up to no good. “I’ll email it to you.”
With a pout of her lips, she batted her eyes and said, “What’s the matter, Grayson? Afraid to be alone with me?”
A gruff laugh came from my lips as Derrick chuckled. “I’ll send the information over to you, Claire, and copy HR on the email.”
Claire’s smile dropped as she stood up and glanced over to Derrick and then back to me. “You have no idea what you’re missing out on.”
Deciding to ignore her comment, I pulled out my phone and saw I had a voicemail from my mother. I turned away from Claire and hit play.