Taylor nods. “Yeah I know there’s no love lost between you two.” She’s quiet for a minute and then she says softly. “Just be careful, okay?”
I give her, what I hope, is a spunky grin. “You know me, babe, I’m always careful.”
She gets up and then helps me stand. There’s a dull ache behind my eyes and above my ear on the side with the staples.
By the time I’m coming down the stairs, Marcie is walking in the front door with ice cream. This is just what I need.
Eight
Maverick
It’s been two weeks since the accident. There was an article in the paper the Monday after it happened. When I saw the pictures, it was a little unsettling. I’m not exactly sure how we survived. I thought we only flipped once, maybe twice, but apparently it was more like five times.
Thank God we wore our seatbelts, otherwise we’d both be dead. I haven’t talked to Gwen since the day she came over with her mom to bring me food. Too many things went through my mind when she wrapped her arms around me in a hug.
It felt too good and I couldn’t go there, which blew because I knew how good her pussy felt.
Tawney’s stopped over a few times, trying to be a girlfriend, and trying to take care of me. I put the kibosh on that right away. Of course it still hasn’t stopped her from trying.
It also didn’t surprise me that when she was here, she was fishing for information about Gwen. Like, how was it we were in the van together, what did we do, and what did I think of her? I kept everything non-committal, knowing she’d hurt Gwen before.
I wonder how Gwen’s doing—is she having trouble sleeping like me? A week ago I woke up wrapped up in my comforter and had a panic attack. I ended up throwing my comforter and sheet on the floor. I haven’t been able to stand blankets on me since.
Poor Butch doesn’t know what to think, but he’s been staying close. Usually he doesn’t sleep in bed with me, but lately he has, and it’s usually him sleeping in the corner, like he’s guarding me.
Chief Malone wanted me to take another week off, but I can’t sit in this house another second. He was agreeable, thankfully, but he told me if I needed more time he’d give it to me. I grab my bag and head out to my bike. It feels good to be back on it and I take the long way to the station.
I pull into the parking lot and head inside. Mandy spots me when I step inside, and she comes around the desk and wraps her arms around me. “Oh my God, Maverick. I have been so worried about you. Are you okay?”
I pat her on the back awkwardly and a couple of the other officers see what’s going on and snicker as they walk past. “As you can see, I’m okay. Thanks for your concern.” I step back and walk around her, heading into the back. I change into my uniform and then head out for our debriefing.
Summers are a busy time in Sunnyville. We have a lot of festivals and fairs—between that and the local vineyards we get a lot of visitors. I spend a lot of time doing crowd control, breaking up the occasional fight, and arresting someone who has had a little too much to drink.
I walk along the sidewalk and don’t miss the appreciative glances by the single women of Sunnyville. As the night wears on, they’ll start asking to take pictures with me. I try to limit it because then it begins to look unprofessional.
Hopefully the night will go fast because honestly, I’m exhausted. I decide to head toward Better Buzz and grab myself an iced coffee. After I finish it, I toss it in the trash and pop a mint into my mouth.
I stop and talk to Chris, a fellow officer. He started at the other end and we met in the middle. “What’s up, Mav? How are you feeling?”
We exchange a handshake. “I feel pretty good. Just glad to be back to work—I couldn’t stand sitting in the house another minute.”
“I don’t blame you. Let me know if you need help with anything.”
“I will, thanks.” We bump fists and I continue walking.
The streets get busier the later it gets, but luckily people are behaving themselves for now.
My phone pings and I pull it out of my pocket. It’s a text from Troy.
Troy: Hey, I’m at McGregor’s. Gwen’s here and she’s in bad shape.
I quickly type out a response.
Maverick: I’m heading that way now.
McGregor’s is the bar that we frequent after work. It’s the perfect place for us to unwind and it’s great because it’s filled with cops, former cops, and families. Yes, the occasional badge bunny comes in, and yes most of us have partaken in what they were offering, but it’s normally just a place for us to unwind.
I make my way down the sidewalk toward the bar. When I reach the door I pull it open, the air-conditioned air hits me right away and it feels good. Troy comes walking up. “Where is she?”
“She’s at the bar.” That’s when I spot her with her head resting on her palm. “I’ve kept an eye on her since she was already here when I got here.”
“Thanks, man.” I head over to the bar, leaning against it next to Gwen’s barstool, “Hey you. What’s going on?”
Gwen looks up at me, that is when I notice the dark circles under her eyes. I resist the urge to rub my thumb over them. “Hi.”
She turns back to her drink, wrapping her lips around the little red straw. “How much have you had to drink?” I ask softly.
Gwen holds up four fingers. “This is my fourth; I just needed to get out of the house.”
I want to pull her into my arm—I want to pull her into my arms and tell her everything is going to be okay, but I can’t, not here. “I’m done in two hours. Do you want to hang out?”
She nods her head.
“Sit tight, I’ll be right back.” I walk over to Troy. “Can you do me a favor and take her over to my place and get her settled there?”
He leans in close. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“She’s struggling, man. Who knows better about what she’s dealing with than someone who was there with her?” I hope he can read the seriousness of my expression.
“Yeah, okay. You’ve got it, brother.”
Troy follows me over to Gwen. “Troy’s going to take you back to my place. Get comfy, hang out with Butch, and we’ll talk when I get home.” She opens her mouth to argue, I’m sure. “Please, let him get you there safely—please, for me.”
I help her up and I don’t miss the way some of the older guys are watching us. I’m sure Grant’s going to hear about this and he’s going to want answers, but I’m not going to worry about that now.
The three of us walk out of the bar and I walk with them to Troy’s truck. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.” I hold out my hand. “Give me your phone, baby.”
She unlocks it and hands it to me. I quickly call myself and save her number. “Save my number and call me if you need me.” I look at Troy. “Thanks, brother.”
“You’ve got it.”
I watch them pull away from the curb and only once they're gone do I continue my patrol.
When my shift is over, I head back to the station, instead of wearing my uniform home, I change back into my street clothes; jeans and a t-shirt.