Page 11 of Worth the Wait

“Are you still sore about that, Malone?” I tease, remembering our hand-to-hand combat lessons and how I beat him in the class competition.

“Nah.” He smiles. “Grudges aren’t my thing. You’ll have to come over sometime. We can catch up, shoot the shit, talk about the old days…”

“You mean talk about kicking each other’s asses.”

“We had some good times.”

“Fucking epic.” I take a tug on my beer.

“It’s a plan then. But for now, I’ve got to head home.” He stands from his stool and sets a business card on the bar top before cuffing me on the shoulder. “Good seeing you again, Rez.”

I pick up his card and turn it over in my hand as he walks away.

Sunnyville Police Department. Detective Grant Malone.

He’s where he should be. Detective. Husband. Father. He’s...Christ, he’s happy. Fulfilled. Doing what he loves.

I shake my head and look around. And what does that make you, Rez?

Hell if I know.

At one point my job was all I needed. But is that still all I need, or am I craving something more? Something else to give me that rush?

Fuck this.

Now’s not time for psychological bullshit.

Now’s time for another beer.