At my sister’s name, his expression softens. “She’s taken Freddie to see my parents for the night. Thought I’d take advantage and get some paperwork done.”
I fold my arms, a frown creasing my forehead. “Good for you. Can I go back to sleep, or do you need me for something?”
His sigh is tiresome. “I want you to go home, sleep in a real bed, eat a proper meal. Enjoy your evening off, go to a bar, the movies, rob a bank—anything. There’s no need for you to be here.”
I push aside the stinging blow his words deliver. “I went out four weeks ago. My quota is full.”
“That was for Ben’s bachelor party. It doesn’t count,” he volleys.
Talk of my brother’s pre-wedding celebrations reminds me of one thing, and one thing only.
Harriet.
The blue-eyed beauty has taken up far too much space in my head since we went our separate ways. At first, I refused to relive the evening for fear it would be a distraction. I was right, but what a welcome distraction she’s been.
Visions of her splayed out on the cheap motel room sheets visit me at night. Alone in the bunk room. Under the hot spray of my shower. Always with my aching cock in hand. I’m still not convinced the memories of her deserve to exist in the black hole of my subconscious.
“Earth to Warren.” Marcus raps his knuckles on the doorframe. “Where’d you go?”
I slip into my sneakers and barge past him, making him laugh. “Away from you.”
He follows me into the kitchen like an eager golden retriever, clearly abandoning the ideas of sending me home. From his smirk, he’s going to continue riding my ass.
“Also,” Marcus continues, not getting the hint. “You disappeared early and without saying goodbye. So technically, you still owe us a night out.”
I’m pouring myself a glass of orange juice when I pause. Glowering at him over my shoulder doesn’t have the intended effect. “Just because you’re married to my sister doesn’t mean I won’t punch you in the nose.”
He grins. “And being my wife’s brother doesn’t mean I go easy on you. Plus, I’m your boss.”
“I’m reporting you for conflict of interest.”
“You can try.” He snatches the glass off the counter and downs the contents. “Deny it all you want, but you had fun at the fair. Why, I don’t know.Yet.”
What my sister sees in him is beyond me.
My retort sits heavy on my tongue, but like a lot of things, it stays bottled up.
He’ll never find out why I was in somewhat of a happy mood in the motel lobby the following morning. He and my brother, Ben, grilled me until they were blue in the face.
As fun as the evening with Harriet was, it isn’t why I’m secretive about it. If I tell them, they’ll push for more, allowingtheir optimistic imaginations to get carried away. They’ll see it as a sign I’m ready to date again.
Buried deep inside the confines of my memories, under lock and key, is where her laugh and touch will remain. I’ll revisit it occasionally when I need to feel human again.
Today is not that day.
“I thought you had shit to do? So far, all you’ve done is disturb my sleep and steal my drink.”
There’s that fucking look again, and I immediately regret my words. “I need an answer by Wednesday. The board is chasing me.”
My entire mood shifts, and the contents of my stomach sours. I’m lucky the board and the Fire Chief gave me this long to make my decision, but in the two months since I was suspended, I’m still as clueless now as I was then.
To most, the ultimatum is fair and reasonable.
To me, it’s a sentence to relive my darkest days.
I love my job, know nothing else, but I’ve found it difficult to reason with myself that taking Marcus and our bosses up on their offer will actually benefit me and not send me spiraling.
My friend senses my apprehension. “Warren, I know what you’re thinking. It’s just therapy. Eight sessions, and if they’re happy with your progress, you’ll be back on duty in no time.”
