John-Henry groans and says, “Not tonight, love.”
“It’s an observation, John.It’s a statistical anomaly.”
“Technically, Sam’s a bi,” I say.
Sam squeezes my knee under the table, and I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing.
“Actually,” Sam says, “I didn’t apply for the detective opening.”
John-Henry’s face changes in an instant.“You didn’t?Why not?”
Sam shrugs.“I’ve been doing some thinking.I might want to be a detective at some point, but I’m not sure that’s what I want to do right now.”
“Okay,” John-Henry says, but you can tell his whole world just got turned upside down.I think of all those marathon jerkoff sessions they’ve had together, planning how Sam is going to be the next detective for the Wahredua PD.“So, what did you—I mean, what do you want to do?”
“He doesn’t have to have a five-year plan,” I say.
“He doesn’t have to have one,” Emery says, “but why the fuck wouldn’t he?”
“Please,” Auggie says to Theo.“I’m begging you.”
“I want to work more with the community,” Sam says.“I liked being involved with WISP.”
“And he’s fucking fantastic at it,” I say.
Sam shrugs.
“Okay,” John-Henry says again in that slightly baffled tone.But you can tell he’s trying to be kind as he says, “That’s great, Sam.That’s so exciting.There’s a lot of good ways you can be involved.”
“Too late, boner,” I say.
Sam actually blushes.
“What does that mean?”John-Henry says.
“Uh, well, I applied for a different position,” Sam says.“And I got it.”
“What was it?”Emery says.“Please tell me you’re going to work the front desk and they’re canning Ehlers.”
Sam shakes his head.He’s even redder now.“I’m going to be the new SRO.Liz Kirkman didn’t want to go back after the shooting, and they hadn’t filled the position.”
“SRO?”Auggie says.“Is that the officer assigned to the high school?”
Theo nods.
“He’s so fucking good at this stuff,” I say.“Connecting with people, talking to them.He’s going to do great working with kids.”
For a final moment, there’s confusion in John-Henry’s face.But then it clears, and he smiles and says, “Sam, that’s awesome.I’m so happy for you.”
“I have a question,” Emery says.
John-Henry says, “No, you don’t.”
“Yes, John, I do.”To Sam, he says, “You’re clearly not an idiot.”
“Um, thank you?”
“You’re attractive.You have a steady job.”
