“Right, so what does helping Tad get you?”
“Anything I want in return, when I want it. I know the law, and I’m not breaking it. Just like I’m working my wife over with her little sister, in a matter of time, her tight little cherry is mine to pick, and I’ll even have the wife’s permission.” He gave a wicked laugh, but Darek knew he was only covering his own ass, hoping to shock Darek in the process. He had to look like he was in control, and nothing was more important to Bay than being on top.
“Good to know,” Darek said. “I’ll keep this between us, but I thought you should know what’s going on.”
“Yeah, well I’m still not convinced this has anything to do with the past, but thanks for the head’s up.”
“Are you sure this isn’t one of our guys?”
“Honestly, no. But then again, finding that out isn’t my job. It’s yours.” He walked into his office and shut the door, leaving Darek alone.
He pushed the button on the elevator and went down to the lobby.
He didn’t want to go home. The night was still young, and Megan was supposed to be seeing her girlfriends for drinks. He headed out of the building, and once he was downstairs, he walked across the street and down the block to where his car was parked. Parking in Bay’s building was a nightmare, so he’d taken an easier lot. On his way past the coffee shop, he paused, thinking he might grab a cup, and that was when she caught his eye.
Her honey hair was swept back from her face, and it was the same way she’d worn it when they used to date. He was just about to say hello when a man stepped up, and she threw her arms around him.
Darek ducked behind a sign in the window and took a few deep breaths. Why was his wife meeting a man for coffee? He wracked his brain, trying to think of any meetings or appointments she’d told him about, but the only thing she’d been doing out of the norm lately was seeing her friends for drinks. They’d all decided at yoga class that they’d do that once a week, but he had a feeling that this was what she was doing instead.
He knew he should just leave and ask her about it later, but what the hell? There was no time like the present. He looked inside and saw her and the man cozied up in the back of the café, holding hands. The smile was like none he’d seen in a while, and even though it pained his heart to see her with someone else, he felt a certain sense of freedom and vindication that the problem wasn’t him.
He walked up to the counter and bought a biscotti. They were Megan’s favorite, and then he thanked the barista and walked over to their table.
Megan was too wrapped up to notice him at first, so he placed the biscotti down in front of her. She looked up at him with a wide-eyed expression. He leaned down next to her face and pointed at the hard pastry. “This is the last thing I give you.”
“Who the fuck is this guy?” the guy at the table asked, standing up.
Megan got up, too, and held Darek back. Darek put his hand on his Glock.
“He’s my husband.”
The guy’s eyes widened, and Darek thought for a moment that he didn’t know she was married.
“Fuck, you said he didn’t come to this end of town, or that he’d be armed.”
“Did she tell you I’m a mother fucking police detective?”
The guy looked at Megan like that would have been nice to know. He held up his hands and backed away from the table.
“How long has this been going on, Meg?” Darek wondered how long he had put up with her shit when he could have been free.
“I’m not talking about this here. You’re embarrassing me.”
“You’re embarrassed? Really? You shallow fucking whore. Have your boyfriend take you home. I’ll see you there.” He turned and walked away, leaving the two to sort things out. He was done. He didn’t want to go home before, and he sure as fuck didn’t want to go home now. He went to the bar across town and had a couple of drinks. Then he went down to the pier and hammered a few beers down his throat.
What a fucking day he’d had. Not only was his past rearing its ugly head, but his marriage was falling apart. He was tempted to call Lizzy and see if she’d throw him some pity pussy, but she’d probably just kick him in the balls for even thinking it.
He finally dragged his ass home and wasn’t surprised when Megan was there with her bags packed.
“I’m leaving. I’m going to my father’s. I’m filing for a divorce, and I’m going to continue to see Rick.”
“Good for you and Rick, honey.”
“I really wanted this to work out, but I met Rick, and I’m not ashamed to say I’ve fallen for him over the past few months.”
“I’m ashamed,” Darek said. “I really am. Ashamed to be married to you. I should have listened to Max and left your spoiled princess-ass at the altar.”
“You’re drunk, and you’re acting like a pig.” She walked over to pick up her bags.
He closed the distance between them, pinning her to the wall beside the door. “Oink Oink, baby!”
He slammed his hands into the wall beside her head, and she screamed. Tears pooled in her eyes, and she sank down to the floor, cowering away from him. He knew she had to go before he said or did something he’d regret.
“Get the fuck out of here. Don’t come back.” The house had been his before she’d come along, and he was sure her daddy would take care of her if Rick didn’t. He was washing his hands of it all.
The only thought he had was how lucky he was she hadn’t gotten pregnant. To be tied to this woman his whole life would be a fucking nightmare.
He went to the kitchen and poured himself a drink. Then he took the bottle of vodka to the couch where after a while, he passed out.
He wasn’t sure what time it was when he heard the hammering on the door, but the sun was shining in through the window. He shielded his eyes and then yawned as Max barged into the house.
“It’s me, Darek. Are you in here?” He turned his head, and the guy had his gun out. “What the hell happened to you?”
“Turn out the lights.”
“Oh man, you really tied one on. I tried to call you all fucking morning. Lizzy is pissed you didn’t show up today, and you didn’t call. I finally called Megan, thinking something happened to your mom, and she told me you probably killed yourself.”
Darek laughed out loud until his head and sides hurt. “In her fucking dreams.”
“What the hell happened? Please tell me you kicked her out.”
“She’s been having an affair. It’s over.”
“No shit?” The laughter in his voice was a big, fat I told you so.
“Yeah, I caught her downtown at the coffee shop with this guy named Rick.”
Max grumbled. “Rick, huh? Sounds like a real douchebag, if you ask me.”
Darek turned and forced his eyes open toward his friend. “I didn’t.”
“Well, we’ve got to get you cleaned up and to work. The chief is pissed, and Lizzy is pissed. You’re on a fucking roll, man.”
“Shit, she’s really mad at me?” The last thing he wanted was for her to be pissed off at him.