Lucky: I’m here for you if you need me, bud. You know that, right?
Me: Yeah, I know it. And I appreciate it. Just not the greatest company right now.
Lucky: No worries. I 100% get it. Just wanted to let you know I’m here is all.
Me: Thanks, brother.
Tossing the phone back on the seat, I go back to contemplating what I want to do. A horn honking from behind me has me looking into my rearview mirror. I consider flipping whoever it is the bird but figure we’re all there for the same reason and, just maybe, they’re having a shit day too.
Engaging first gear, I pull away from the stop and make a snap decision to head for Aces. I’m not up for hanging right now, but at the bar I can be amongst people without having to engage. Besides, I could do with a bite to eat. I skipped breakfast, so I’m starving.
When I snag a space near the door, I’m grateful to see the parking lot’s pretty empty. Fewer people, less chance of having to avoid making conversation. Jess waves across the room as I push through the front door. Scouting the space, I spot an empty table at the back in the corner and make my way to it.
“Hey Bear,” Jess greets. “What can I get ya?”
“A beer and my usual burger, please, Jess.”
She studies me intently. “Everything okay?”
“Not a good day,” I answer, shaking my head. “Not up for talking about it, but not up for my own company either.”
“Ah, gotcha. I get like that sometimes too. But Kason gets me, so it’s all good. Let me go get your order placed and I’ll be right back with that beer.”
That’s what I like about Jessyka. She doesn’t pry. She’ll give good service while leaving you be. And all with a smile.
I scan the room, checking to see if there’s anyone I know here. When I get to the bar, I spot a familiar face, and it takes me a second to place the woman. She’s in civilian clothes, makeup, and looking very different from the last couple of times I saw her dressed in her police uniform.
Officer Martin – Madson – Manson – no, Mason. Yeah, I’m sure that’s it. Well, well, the officer sure does clean up fine. It may be a shitty day, but it doesn’t mean I’m dead. I can still appreciate a good-looking woman.
Jess distracts me from my thoughts by placing my beer down on the table. We chat for a couple minutes before she’s called away to deliver someone else’s food order.
“I’ll be back shortly with your burger. Yodel if you need anything else in the meantime.”
“Thanks.” I nod at her.
My phone rings, vibrating against the table where it lies. I spy a number I don’t recognize on the screen, and so I ignore the call, leaving voicemail to pick it up. I catch movement out of the corner of my eye and look up to see it’s coming from the sports channel currently playing on the television above the bar.
Taking a swallow of beer, I allow myself to get caught up in the game that’s on. Mindless entertainment is what I want, and it seems I’ve come to the right place to get it. It doesn’t take long for my food to arrive.
“Here you go. Hot and tasty, as always.” Jess places the food down in front of me. “Can I get you a refill?”
“Thanks,” I say, already salivating at how good the burger looks, piled high with bacon and oozing cheese. “Yeah, that would be great.”
Once she returns with my refill, I’m left to my own devices, and I escape back into watching sport as I eat, wolfing it down like a man who hasn’t had a meal in a long time. As she passes by with a full tray, Jessyka calls out she’ll be right back to clear my table when I’m done and bring me another beer.
Halfway through the third one, nature calls, and as I get to my feet, I bump into a soft body that smells incredible. My hands automatically reach out to stabilize the person, and I find myself looking into the face of the lovely police officer.
“Sorry. You okay?”
“My apologies. That was totally my fault,” she says, looking a little flustered. “I wasn’t looking where I was going.”
“No harm, no foul,” I say, not letting go of her. Almost as if my hands don’t want to release her. “Officer Mason, isn’t it?”
She frowns. “Yes, but how do you know my name?” She tilts her head to study me with wary eyes. I see the exact moment she recognizes me. “Oh wait, I remember you. You were at the hospital a while back after that author lady got run over, weren’t you?”
Unexpectedly, a happy warmth spread through me that she does, in fact, remember me. “Yeah, that’s right.” Sticking my hand out, I continue, “Xavier Dermott. But most people just call me Bear.”
“Eloise Mason,” she replies, putting her smaller hand in mine.
