In the Nick of Time (73 page)

Who the hell is that?

His freshly launched jovial mood deflated like a popped, saggy balloon at a little boy’s birthday bash. He glared at the back of the man’s head as the guy’s thick, short fingers glided across his keyboard, typing in information, taking care of his paperwork in a happy-go-lucky sort of way. Suddenly, the man stopped, undoubtedly noticing him in the computer reflection. He hoped he didn’t make out his expression, for he was certain his mood showed as clear as ice in a glass of cold water.

“Hey Nick, welcome back, man.” The guy offered a tilted grin and got to his feet. They slapped hands, did a light embrace.

“Hey Greg, what’s up?”

“Uh, nothing much…same ol’ same ol’. We missed you, man.”

“Yeah… thanks.” Nick looked around nonchalantly, forcing himself to play the damn role. “I missed you all, too.” He exhaled and rocked back on his heels, fighting for the right damn thing to say.

“Nick!” Captain O’Sullivan called out, his large body almost blocking the entranceway to his door.

Saved by the bell… thank goodness…

“I’ll talk to you later, man.” He tapped Greg gently on the shoulder and ushered his way past him, making a quick-footed beeline towards his boss. Before he could say, ‘thank you’ or ‘hello’, the man grabbed him and pulled him to his chest for a bear hug that nearly crushed him like a peanut beneath a hammer.

“Welcome back!” His gruff voice broke through as he released him, pushed him inside his office to the desk covered in papers. The guy slammed the door behind them as if he were mad at the whole world. “Sit the hell down, Nick… We need to talk.”

Nick did as instructed without hesitation. His back straight as a ruler, he respectfully removed his hat and placed it on his lap, his fingers grazing the cotton material of the thing.

“Now.” Captain O’Sullivan clasped his hands together and looked him dead in the eye. “You saw that Officer Lesley was in your seat.”

“Yes, I did.”

“Here’s why. We didn’t hold your seat out of necessity. We needed to move him so we did.”

“Understood. It’s a consequence.”

“In some ways, yes, but there is another reason.”

“Really?” His brow arched. “What?”

“I want you to start in slow. No car or foot patrol assignments just yet…” The dreaded yet predictable words rolled off the older man’s tongue, hit his ear like a knife to the drum, and made the damn thing bleed. Nick sighed and nodded in understanding.

“Because I want you to get your bearings, become reacquainted… We want to work you up to being back on your beat, Nick. But first, we need you to—”

“Prove myself.” He shook his head as he looked down at his shoes that picked up his reflection. “You don’t trust me. I expected this.”

“I wouldn’t say I don’t trust ya; it’s just, well, we have to watch you for a while is all.”

“It’s fine, really.” He took a deep breath, meaning the words though he hated saying them nevertheless.

“Okay, good.”

They sat in silence for a while.

“I’m glad you’re back, Nick. Everyone is. You were really missed, buddy. You have no idea. So many of the guys wanted to stop in and see you on visitation days, matter of fact, a couple tried but were denied, per your request. Tomas pulled some strings it seems and got in.” The man frowned at him, showing his disapproval of such a thing.

“Captain, I needed control over something. I had lost everything, well,
almost
everything. I needed to be able to have a shred of dignity and regain influence over that portion of my life, and that was
one
thing I could regulate.”

“Makes sense…” The man nodded. “Okay, back to business. I’ll call Tomas and have him show you to your new desk. There’s some paperwork for you to jump into, and you can get your files organized, all of that.” He waved his hand lazily in his direction. “I know it’s not what you wanted, your ideal situation, but I’m glad you see why we have to do it this way. It’s beneath you.” He clicked his tongue and winced. “But I agreed to it in order to get your ass back in here without delay or incident.”

“Thank you. I didn’t assume I’d be treated any better than anyone else that had a similar experience, captain.” He slowly lifted his head, meeting eyes once more with the man. “It’s alright… really, it is. I’m just grateful to have another chance, you know?”

“Yeah, and we’ll be doing drug tests on you, okay? During dates and times you
aren’t
aware of this time, do you understand?”

“Of course, yes.” He nodded.

“And if one, just
one
, goddamn it”—the man held up his long, fat finger and looked at him sternly, his unkempt dark brown brows furrowed—“comes up dirty, that’s it, Vitale! I’m not vouching for you. I refuse!”

“I understand.”

“Are you still tryna casually drink?” The man’s thin lips twisted in a smirk. “I know some alcoholics do that sort of thing.” He shrugged. “Be upfront with me.” Captain O’Sullivan turned away to type something on his keyboard, then returned his full attention to Nick.

“Nah, I can’t touch the stuff, captain. I know if I start up again, it will go in just one direction, downhill. I knew pretty early on I’m an all or nothing sort of guy… there’s no little bit with me. I do everything full steam ahead. I don’t know what the yellow light means,” he said with a smirk. “Only green and red…”

“Remind me to never let you direct traffic,” the guy teased, causing them both to chuckle.

“I don’t even want to test those waters so I haven’t tried that, don’t plan to. It’s kryptonite.”

“Good, I think that’s for the best, considering your aspirations.”

He liked how the man said the word. It sounded like ‘dreams’, only fancier…

“Yeah.” He ran his hands nervously up and down his pants legs. “Seems to be the best plan. Look.” He sighed, flushed with slight embarrassment. “Thanks for taking care of my bills while I was gone. I’ll pay you back every dime…every damn cent of it. I’m no bum, okay?”

The man nodded in his direction, but the gesture wasn’t sincere. He knew a fucking blow off when he saw one.

“It wasn’t a loan.” Captain O’Sullivan started to type again, before piercing him with a straight look.

“I know, but in my mind it was, and I have to make that right. I’ll make monthly payments to you until it is all paid back. Now that I’m not buying a bunch of booze and other shit anymore,” he offered with a soulless laugh, “it shouldn’t take that long.”

“Alright.” Captain Jasper leaned far back in his seat and placed his heavy arms across his slightly protruding stomach. “So, do you wanna come over for dinner next week or what?”

“Of course I do… Thanks for the invitation.” Nick crossed his ankles, getting a tad more comfortable. “That would be great. Can I bring someone this time though?”

The man’s forehead rose in haughty suspicion, an expression paired with a silly grin.

“You gotta broad, Nick?!” He snorted. “I mean, not that you haven’t had girlfriends since I’ve known you, but you never made formal introductions, nothin’ like that. This is a big deal, huh?” he carried on, his narrowed blue eyes full of sparkling delight.

Nick nodded, a sly smirk on his face. “Yeah, it’s a big deal… She’s living with me, we’re together. It’s serious.”

“You’re shackin’? Wow! Congrats. What’s ’er name?”

Flower, Beauty, Warrior, Princess of Fire, my fucking everything and then some…

“Her name is Taryn Jones.”

The man paused for a moment and tapped his chin.

“Why does that name sound familiar to me, huh? I’ve heard it before. I know I have.”

“Shit.” He shrugged. “Funny you should say that. I didn’t know who she was when I met her… Guess I didn’t keep up with those sorts of things.” He grinned as he scratched his scalp, digging in deep to cure an itch.

“Well? She famous or something? She gotta be, right? What is she, an actress? Singer?”

“She’s a model… been in magazines… She was big time, the kind you’d see on the newsstands. That’s probably where you’ve seen her.”

“Well, shit!” The man cackled. “You lucky bastard! What a crazy world! How’d you get ’er? Doesn’t seem quite fair!” he teased.

“I know.” Nick shrugged, showing off a goofy grin. “It’s crazy, right? She likes me though… she loves me. I love her too…very much…” His voice trailed away.

“Awww Jesus, you’re lovesick. This gets better ’nd better.” He laughed. “Congratulations, Pretty-Boy Nick!”

“Ahhhh, you know how I hate being called that! You promised you wouldn’t call me that anymore!” Nick whined, really feeling sorry for himself. This only caused the big man to laugh harder.

“I couldn’t resist! Anyway, yeah, bring her by… can’t wait to meet her.”

“Will do.” He turned serious, placed his hat back on his head.

“You can take that off, you know. You’ll just be in the office.”

Nick got to his feet and turned towards the door.

“I don’t care how silly I look; today, I want to keep it on… it’s an honor, and I want to wear it. I haven’t been in uniform for so long… I missed it. I want to wear it because I’m proud.”

“…And you
should
be. Welcome back, son…”

He dabbed at
the side of his mouth. The thick spaghetti sauce had done a number on his lips. They burned ever so slightly from the fresh cayenne pepper and fragrant oregano, but it had been oh so worth it. In appreciation of the delicious meal, his mouth curved in a satisfied grin. He’d inhaled his dinner faster than could be timed by a watch. Taryn could cook like no one’s fucking business. She said she’d learned from her mother.

Motherfuckin’ thank you, Mrs. Brown!

She raised her phone to her eyes and snapped photo after photo.

“When are you gonna stop taking photos of me, huh?” He took a sip of his water.

“Never! I like taking pictures of hot guys.” She smirked.

“Weren’t the ones you took of me in the shower enough?” He laughed. “Thought I’d put on a performance for you since you wanted to come to the peep show. I never got paid for that little gig, either,” he joked, winking at her.

“Speaking of which…” She twirled several sauce drenched noodles around her fork and stuffed them in her mouth. On a swallow, she began to speak again. “So, I put the rent money on your nightstand.” She looked at him from across the table, tapped her water glass with her fingernail just so.

“And I’ll put it right back on yours. Don’t do this shit, Taryn. I’m tired of arguing with you about this. You’ve got medical bills and other shit to deal with. We’re together, you live here.” He turned away from her gaze and leisurely took another bite of his garlic bread, then used the rest of the dense slice to trace up the abundant red sauce along his plate, savoring it
almost
as much as her pussy…

“Nick, I’m not kidding. I’m helping to pay the rent here.” Her words had attitude sprinkled all over them, but he refused to be shaken loose.

Pride… we both have a lot of that shit…

“I don’t rent it. I
own
it.” He glared at her as he worked his jaws, enjoying the last remnants of flavor.

“Whatever.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m going to pull my weight, okay?”

“That’s only fifty pounds…a preschooler weighs more,” he teased.

“Shut up,” she mock chided with a grin. “Anyway, that print ad worked wonders and landed me another gig… I got checks coming in, woo hoo!” She did a fist pump.

“…And yet you still don’t seem happy.” He wished there were seconds to the feast but he’d devoured everything off his plate and the pots on the stove had been emptied. So, he simply sat back and took a lazy glance at the gorgeous lady before him, waiting for her response, figuring he could gnaw on that for a bit.

“I
am
happy. It’s just…” She shrugged. “Oh, fuck it.” She clasped her forehead. “I’m not
un
happy, okay? Only, things are different than I remember. Maybe I’m changing, I don’t know. Do you know how many women would kill to be in my shoes? The next print ad isn’t for some Wal-Mart flyer; this is for Cosmopolitan…and here I am complaining!” She shoved her plate out of the way as her brows dipped and her forehead creased with weariness.

“Just because someone else would be happy with something you’re doing in your life doesn’t mean you have to be. Look,” He took a sip of his water and placed the glass back down. “Baby, it’s like this… not everything we did before, we will be okay with doing
now
. You aren’t fooling anyone but yourself.”

“What do you mean?”

“Did you ever stop and think that maybe you weren’t getting the gigs at first because your heart wasn’t in it? You blamed it on your surgery, your illness, the sun and the moon, but did you stop and think that people can smell that shit on you? Insincerity has a look and a scent… and you wear it oh so well.”

Her expression changed as she crossed her arms and puckered her lips in anger.

“Don’t give me that look, baby… you know I’m right.” He smirked as he crossed his ankles and wiggled his toes.

“No, I don’t know that you’re right. I was very depressed about not getting any work, Nick, or did you forget that?!” She leaned a little closer to him, her eyes narrowing as she itched for a fight.