“I can give you until tomorrow. After that, we’ll move on down the list.”
“Thanks, Chief. I’ll be in touch.”
The line goes dead, and I stare at the blank screen. Am I hallucinating? This is everything I’ve wanted for as long as I can remember.
After mom and dad died, I shouldered every hardship that came our way so Connor wouldn’t have to. I slipped into the protector role seamlessly, like it was always supposed to be my fate. Soon, I realized keeping people safe, protecting them from the horrors life can throw at them, might be my calling. I also knew I wanted to be the one to get there before the accidents turned into tragedy, before the death, destruction, and inevitable heartbreak.
Looking back, I know that was shortsighted. I’ve seen my fair share of tragedy in the line of duty, but knowing there’s a chance to save a life makes it easier to bear. Connor once said I was trying to atone for my father’s sins. Maybe he was right. Maybe I’m trying to save my mother over and over again, but I know it’ll never bring her back, no matter how many times I run headlong into danger.
“Is everything ok?” Cade asks, drawing my attention back to him.
“Huh? Oh. Yeah. Can I… talk to you for a sec?”
“Steph, can you hold down the fort? We’ll just be in my office.”
Steph says, “Sure thing,bossman.”
Cade leads me to his office and pushes the door open. He leans against his desk, his feet and arms crossed. “What’s up?”
I slip my hands into my pockets. “I was offered a full-time position with the fire department. If I accept, I’ll have to quit.”
A wide smile spreads across his face, and he claps a hand on my shoulder. “Hell yeah, man! That’s great news. Congratulations.”
He holds out his hand for me to shake; I reciprocate.
“You’re cool with it?”
“Why the fuck wouldn’t I be? I didn’t expect you to stay here forever. Is this your two-week notice?”
I rake a hand through my hair and let out an incredulous laugh. “Yeah. I guess it is.”
I met Cade when Connor owned the place. We tended the bar side by side for years until Connor decided to sell. He offered it to me first, but my heart was never in it. When I told him I wasn’t interested in buying him out, Cade jumped at the opportunity. He’s a good man, one of the best I’ve ever known. I shouldn’t be surprised by his steadfast support.
“Steph was asking for more hours, and I can start looking for another part-time. I’m happy for you, man.”
“Thanks. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me over the years.”
“Don’t mention it. What do you say we have a farewell party next week? Drinks on me.”
I nod, grateful to have a boss who’s also one of my closest friends. “Sounds good.”
“Alright. Technically, you’re still on the clock, so get your ass back out there and start slinging drinks.”
“You got it, bossman.”
“I really need y’all to stop calling me that.”
I stop with my hand on the doorway. “Yeah, well. You’re still my boss for two more weeks.”
The evening crowd filters in the same way it always does on Friday night, and true to her word, Ivy arrives for her complimentary margarita with her husband, Luca, in tow. I don’t bother asking what they want, sliding their usual drinks across the bar.
Karaoke nights are always busy, but the torture doesn’t start for another hour. I’ll enjoy the peace while it lasts. Shit can get crazy when you give a bunch of drunk townies a microphone. More often than not, I end up doing double duty as bartender and bouncer.
I make my way up and down the bar a few times, serving drinks and cleaning up empties until Steph comes back from her break and takes over the left side of the bar.
Heading back to my friends, I switch out Luca’s empty beer for a refill.
“Heard you’re going full-time at the station. Congrats, man,” Luca says, holding his drink up in salute.
