“No, I had no idea. If I had, I might have gotten two of these.” I lift up my Red Bull. “I didn’t sleep well.”
He comes over, with his drink and a Red Bull. “Well drink up butter cup, we’ve got shit to do. Have you been out to County Road 16 lately?”
“Yeah, I went fishing with Dad over the summer down there. There’s a boat dock we can leave our SUV’s at. It’ll be a bit of a hike to get to where I think the pens and barns are, but we can get in without anyone seeing us, if you’re up to it.”
“I’ll follow you out there. Let me hit the bathroom first,” he tags me on the chest, handing me his drink.
“Alright, I’ll be outside waiting on ya.”
Walking out of the back door to where our SUV’s are parked, I take a minute to look up at the sky. There’s not much of a moon, which is good for us, but it’ll make seeing in the dark harder. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I try to one-handed text, but realize I need to put the Red Bull and drink Dakota gave me up. Opening the door, I toss them in the seat, and then search through my phone until I see Magnolia’s number.
It’s been over a year since I texted her.
L: Hey Magnolia, I was just checking to see how you’re doing after last night.
M: I’m okay, Cody was an ass when I got here this morning, asking where I was, and accusing me of a lot. I just ignored him and came out here. I’ve been working all day.
There’s a picture that comes through along with her message. She’s smiling with a bunch of chocolate dipped treats in the background. There are dark circles under her eyes and she’s looks exhausted.
L: You should probably get some sleep. You look tired.
M: I will, hopefully in the next thirty minutes. You’ve got to be tired too. You were dealing with me most of the night, had to wake up and take me to my car, and now you’re working.
If only she knew I’d do whatever it took to help her, even if that meant not sleeping for days at a time.
L: I am a little tired, but Dakota and I have a recon mission to do, so I’m kind of wired too. This is the first time I’ve ever been asked to do something like this.
M: That’s big news, Levi. You’ve got to be excited.
Would anyone else in my life besides my dad really know how much this means to me? I kind of wish she were here for me to share the news with.
L: I really am. Maybe I’ll tell you about it some time.
There, I gave her an invitation. She’s probably not going to take the offer, but it feels good to at least get it out. I’m almost as nervous about her answer as I am about what Dakota and I are going to do tonight. He’s coming out of the building and down the steps when my phone buzzes with what I hope is her answer.
Quickly, I check the screen, and can’t help but smile when I see the answer.
M: I’d like that, Levi. I had a really good time at your place last night. I’d like to come over again if you ever want the company.
I only have a few seconds to type my reply, because I don’t want Dakota to see who I’m texting.
L: I do want the company. I’ll text you tomorrow.
“Are you ready?” Dakota asks, reaching for his drink.
I open the door and hand it to him. “I am, just follow me out there. You might want to turn your lights off once we turn onto County Road. I’ll double-tap my brakes when we do.”
“Sounds good. When we get done with this, I’m gonna ask about who you were texting. You had a stupid grin on your face.”
“And I’m gonna tell you it’s none of your damn business.”
“Sure it is, sweetie.” He blows kisses toward me.
I flip him the finger, and then hop into the driver’s seat of my SUV. Before I turn the vehicle on, I pop the tab on the Red Bull and take a big drink. There’s a low-level buzz in the pit of my stomach. I’ve never been this nervous on the job, but it’s a good type of nervous. It’s what I imagine all the other members of my family who are in law enforcement have felt at one time or another.
It’s a point of pride for me. All I’ve ever wanted is for my parents to be proud of me. It’s why I did well in school, played football, and graduated near the top of my class. It’s why I went to college and got an Associates degree, even though it wasn’t for me.
I’d love to call one of them right now and ask how I should work this angle, how I should make the most of the opportunity being given. However, I know that would put this assignment in jeopardy and I’m also not willing to do that.
