I ignore the little voice at the back of my head and focus on the here and now. We find an open spot at the bar, and Mick nods in our direction as he finishes pouring beer for another customer first.
Wiping his hands on the rag tossed over his shoulder, he tips his chin in greeting. “What can I get’cha, boys?”
We both order a beer, and he puts two bottles on the bar top, popping the caps before he ambles away.
“See? At least he knows I’m old enough,” I say as I take a sip from the bottle, my gaze fixed on the replay of the football game playing on one of the numerous screens on the walls.
“Mick doesn’t need to check. I swear that man knows everybody in this town, although I’ve never heard him say more than a few words.” Nico raises his beer to his mouth, taking a long pull. “You know, all jokes aside, Mrs. Willow might have been right about one thing.”
I give him a side-eye, not in the mood to go back tothatparticular conversation. “I thought this was your apology. If so, you’re shit at it.”
Nico, however, isn’t the least bit fazed by my comment.
“Maybe you should get a girlfriend. Think about it. Somebody sweet and nice. Settle down. That way people will know you mean business and are actually planning on staying this time around.”
Is he fucking kidding me?
“I’m planning to stay here,” I grind out, annoyed at the suggestion.
Why the hell do I have to prove myself to anybody? I’m here. I got my act together. I graduated from the police academy at the top of my class. Why can’t that be enough?
“I know that, and you know that. Buttheydon’t.”
I shake my head. “That’s ridiculous.”
“Maybe.” Nico shrugs. “But that’s a small town for ya.”
I take a long pull from my bottle, letting the cold beer quench some of the frustration that’s brewing inside of me as Nico’s words echo in my mind.
“Just think about it.”
His suggestion is preposterous.
Hell, even if I suddenly start dating a “nice” girl, they’ll think I’m playing her and hate me even more for it once we break it off.
Fucking nuts, that’s what he is.
“I’m going to take a leak,” I tell him as I push my chair back and walk through the crowd toward the back where I earlier spotted the sign for the bathroom.
After that bullshit conversation, I’m so lost in thought that I barely notice the commotion in the dark hallway.
“Couples fight, nothing new about it. C’mon, babe. Give me another chance,” the unfamiliar male voice slurs.
Goosebumps prickle my skin when I hear the female voice.
A very familiar female voice.
“Well, I did mean it.”
I stop in my tracks.
Jessica.
What the hell is she doing here? And who’s the guy she’s talking to?
I didn’t see her when we got here, then again, the place is dark and there’s a bunch of other people.
Before I can decide what to do, she continues speaking, snapping me out of my thoughts.
