The Officer Breaks the Rules (16 page)

It wasn’t due to a deployment, but it was a start. “Right. It’s not so much the moving
around thing. There’s more to it than that. Moving doesn’t bother me. But—”

“But that was all just a mind game. Trick the mind played, only the weak would give
in to it.”

“It’s not a trick of the mind, Dad.” He had to see this through. See what he was up
against for his own father’s affections. See exactly what level of disownment he’d
reach if he actually grabbed the balls enough to pick another track for his life.
“It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long damn time.”

“Well, stop thinking about it.” He sighed. “Son, this is a good life. It’s job security,
it’s health care, it’s pulling retirement pay at age forty-three.”

He knew all that. Had been hearing all that since he was eight and told his dad he
might want to be a cop or a firefighter or a circus performer.

“Family legacy is important to me. This family’s legacy should be important to you
too.” His father’s voice was quiet, almost emotional.

He sighed to himself. “Yes, sir.”

His father cleared his throat. “So get a move on. Now isn’t the time to go soft.”

“Yes, sir.” He stared at the cursor another minute after hanging the phone up. What
he’d said to Madison was true. The opportunity to make a living from writing was rare.
But that didn’t mean he couldn’t do something else he might enjoy while he tried,
did it? Go back to school and get a masters in English. Teach. Or something.

No. He closed out of the document and flicked the screen off. He was a Marine. Just
like his father. The man who hadn’t given up on him, even when others might have.
He wasn’t about to give that up because of a dream that he’d never realize anyway.

Jeremy sat back in the chair and had the most odd feeling he’d disappointed someone,
but he wasn’t sure who yet.

***

Skye stretched her arms up and over her head. “Having a girls’ day was a perfect idea,
Madison.”

“We all work such weird schedules. It’s not often all three of us have the entire
day off together. Gotta take advantage when we can.” Madison sat back in her own lounge
chair, smug as she sipped some of the fruity concoction they’d tossed together in
the kitchen with whatever juice they could find and a splash—or three—of vodka. “I
think my drink needs an umbrella.”

“They’re wasteful,” Skye replied with a tsk to her voice.

“I think they’re pretty,” Veronica said, sipping her beverage, made virgin at her
own request. Then she glanced at Skye and added, “But of course wasteful.”

Skye laughed. “You don’t have to agree with me. I’m not going to toss you off my patio
for it.”

“This time,” Madison added in an ominous tone, and cracked up at the look on Veronica’s
face.

“Right. Joke. Of course.” Veronica caught on—finally—and stuck her tongue out at both
of them, which only sent them all into another peal of laughter.

“How are things at Chez O’Shay-slash-Gibson these days?” Skye asked.

Veronica smiled widely. “Great! My own space is so nice.”

Where in the world had this woman come from that she’d never had her own space before?
Madison was dying to know but forced herself to keep to the no-questions-asked policy
Skye had insisted on. “I like having a roommate, honestly. Living alone sucked. Too
quiet.”

“Dwayne said that after a deployment, the quiet of his own apartment was a welcome
change,” Veronica said thoughtfully, taking a sip of her drink.

Skye and Madison exchanged glances.

“You talked to him again?” Skye asked.

“She caught the tail end of my Skype with him before I got called in early. She picked
up for me.” When Skye stared at her, she shrugged. “What? I know he’s feeling isolated
out there, and she’s going to meet him soon enough when he gets back. Might as well
know a little about him now.”

“He’s nice, I think. But a little outlandish at the same time. He calls me Ronnie,
even though he knows I don’t like it.” Veronica paused, then reached for a grape,
her voice casual when she asked, “What is he like, here in person?”

“You’ve talked to him several times now, it seems.” Skye set her drink down on the
deck below her chair. “He’s a teddy bear. Sweet and friendly.”

“Country to the bone,” Madison added dryly. “And almost brilliant when it comes to
numbers. But he almost likes it when someone underestimates him because of the accent.
He thinks it’s funny, and keeps them off-balance, gives him the upper hand.”

“Hmm.” Veronica settled back in her chair, staring off into the distance. “I didn’t
really mind listening to his voice.”

They were all silent for a moment before Skye asked, “So, Madison, are you seeing
anyone?”

Madison choked a little on her punch. When Skye raised a brow, she waved it off. “Vodka
down the wrong tube.”

“Uh-huh.” Not buying it, clearly, Skye rephrased the question. “You are seeing someone,
right? I mean, you’re busy all the time, even when you’re not at work.”

“That’s true,” Veronica—the traitor—put in. “You’ve been gone so much we barely see
each other anymore at the apartment.”

Madison took another sip to clear her throat and stall for time. It’d been almost
three weeks since she and Jeremy first went at each other like monkeys in isolation.
But that really wasn’t up for discussion. Though she trusted Skye to keep things confidential,
and Veronica as well, she wasn’t about to put them in the middle of her deception.
Keeping something from them was bad enough. Asking her brother’s wife to lie to him—even
by omission—was crossing a line she wasn’t comfortable with. “I’m just very… busy.
With stuff.”

“Hmm. So you’re free to set up then? I think I met the perfect guy for you.” Skye
rotated to her side so she could see them better. “He’s pretty tall, which I know
you’re not fond of, being as short as you are. But—”

“I’m not short,” she bit off. “I’m vertically challenged.”

“Whatever you say,” Skye sang.

“Walking pair of stilts,” Madison retorted, which only had Skye laughing again.

“He’s cute though. And funny. He’s—”

“No thanks.” Madison waved a hand in the air to stop her sister-in-law’s matchmaking
efforts. “Not really interested.”

“Oh. Pity.” Skye sipped from her straw and rolled onto her back. “I guess Jeremy wouldn’t
really like it, anyway.”

“Probably not,” Madison agreed, then shut her eyes in disbelief. Had she seriously
said that?

“Oh my Goddess!” Skye jumped up, heedless of her glass clinking to the deck floor,
punch running over the wooden boards and dripping down between the cracks.

“Uh-oh. I’ll go get a towel.” Veronica excused herself quickly into the house through
the sliding glass door.

“You are such a little sneak! You and Jeremy are doing the horizontal mambo! You’re
burning up the sheets! You’re—”

Madison shushed her. “Quiet! Seriously, Skye, not another word.”

Her sister-in-law’s eyes widened, then her mouth clamped shut. But Madison knew she
was dying, so she sighed and sat up, placing her own drink on the low table between
her and Veronica’s loungers. She hadn’t planned to tell, but given she’d already figured
it out, it might be better to set the record straight rather than let assumptions
reign.

“You get the bare minimum. Yes, we are sort of seeing each other. No, it’s not anything
serious. No, it’s not up for discussion. And yes, I’m sorry but you have to keep this
from Tim.”

Skye’s excitement deflated like a balloon with the stopper pulled out. She sank to
the chair, metal and plastic creaking. “Not serious? How is that possible? He’s always
serious.”

“Not about this. Neither of us are. It’s just… something fun.” It hurt, admitting
that out loud. Mostly because on her end it was a total lie. But Skye didn’t need
to know that.

Skye shook her head. “I am absolutely positive that’s not the case for him. I know…
something just tells me that he’s holding back.”

He is. He really is. But that wasn’t the point. She stuck one finger in Skye’s direction.
“Not a word of this to my brother.”

“You mean my husband?” she asked dryly.

“Him too. I mean it. I shouldn’t have said anything. I can’t believe I let it slip
to begin with.” She side-eyed Skye. “Exactly how did you think to ask about Jeremy
anyway?”

Skye gave a negligent shrug of her shoulder. “Just a hunch.”

“Bullshit.”

“Complete and total.”

They both smiled, back on more even ground. Then Madison had to ask. “Does Tim suspect
anything?”

Skye smirked. “He’s male. Do they ever suspect anything?”

“No,” they both said in unison.

The sliding glass door opened slowly. “Is it safe to come out now?” Veronica asked,
towel in hand.

“Yeah.” When she approached, Madison added, “You didn’t have to go running off. I
know you can keep a secret. The cat was already out of the bag anyway.” It seemed
half of Veronica’s life was a secret. If anyone could keep something under wraps,
it was this girl.

“Thanks. But it seemed like something between you two.” She stepped over to hand the
towel to Skye, who mopped up the spill. “You might want to run some water through
the hose in a little bit so that’s not sticky when it dries.”

Skye sighed. “Probably. Tim’s such a baby about messes. Goddess only knows why he
married one.”

They all laughed again, and Madison felt lighter than she had before.

The end.
Holy shit.

Jeremy stared at the computer. Was that it? Could he honestly have finished the entire
thing? A whole book, front to back?

He read the final two words again.

Apparently.

Damn, that felt good. He cracked his back on the chair, rotated his neck to relieve
some of the stiffness, and stood to stretch his legs. After a quick check to his cell
phone, he called Tim.

“Hey, you texted?”

“Girls are all over at the house. I got done with some work stuff early and I’m under
strict instructions not to pop the estrogen bubble until after dinner. Wanna shoot?”

Jeremy couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate finishing up his work in progress.
“Yeah. I’ll meet you at the range in twenty?”

“Roger.”

Jeremy was there in ten, having the advantage of living closer. He waited for Tim
to drive up, then they headed in together. “Where’s your case?” he asked.

“I’m going to rent a .45. Thinking about buying one; wanna see how it feels.”

While Tim went through the process to rent the pistol, Jeremy set up in his assigned
lane. They had the place to themselves for the moment. Mid-afternoon lull. As he clipped
on the paper target, white with a black center, his mind floated back to the last
time he’d been on range. With Madison in the lane next to him. The sight of her, legs
spread, shoulders back, pistol steady in her small, delicate hands had him fighting
against the fit of his jeans. Damn it. Now, of all times?

“What’d you bring?” Tim asked, walking in.

“Just my nine mil.” He removed the gun from the case, checked the chamber, and ejected
the clip, ready to load in the first round of casings. “So the girls are all over
at your place, huh?” Did that sound casual enough?

“Skye, Veronica, and the squirt, yeah. I think after dinner they’re going to go see
a movie.” Tim ejected his own clip and focused on loading.

He knew most of this already, as Madison had told him via a text she’d be busy all
day. Just like a girlfriend would tell her boyfriend. Dammit. “Good day to get out
of the house then, huh?”

“Right. I had paperwork anyway, so it was a good excuse to head in to work. But it’s
good to get out every so often. God knows I love my wife,” he added, snapping the
clip back in his pistol, “but the break is good.”

He couldn’t relate. It was like Madison was a fever in his blood, and he ran hotter,
faster, brighter when she was nearby. If he could tuck her in his back pocket and
keep her with him all day, he would.

And
that
was
just
the
most
dramatic, corny thing you’ve thought for quite some time. Which is saying something,
Phillips. Pull your head out.

“Sort of wish they hadn’t kicked me out though. Haven’t seen Madison in weeks, it
feels like. I got so used to seeing her regularly, and now it’s like she’s not around
much, even when she’s got time off.” Tim looked up suddenly, gaze sharp. “Hey, you
might know. Is she seeing someone?”

Jeremy bobbled the bullet in his hand, the metal rolling off the edge of the ledge
and into the lane out of reach. He took a deep breath and tried to morph his face
into a look of impassivity. “What?”

“Seeing someone. Dating. Going out, whatever.” Tim loaded another bullet and looked
back up. “She’s just gone or busy so much now.”

“Wouldn’t she tell you if she was?”

Tim snorted. “I’m her brother. Knowing her, she’d hide it as long as she could so
I wouldn’t have a chance to warn the guy off.”

“Warn him off?” From what?

“She’s a handful.” Tim grinned. “I figure any guy who gets caught by her deserves
a fair warning what he’s walking himself into. And who would know better what putting
up with Madison is like than her brother?” He shrugged. “But if you don’t know, then
I’m back to square one.”

Oh, he knew, all right. But like hell was he about to say anything right now. The
man was armed and loaded, for Christ’s sake.

Jeremy looked down and realized he’d only loaded in three of his sixteen bullets,
naturally not including the one round he lost into the galley. After fitting his required
eyewear and ear protectors on, he put the task in the front of his mind, loading the
rest with quick efficiency and snapping his magazine back in and slingshotting back.
He checked quickly to make sure Tim had his ear protectors on. Using the white dots
at the tip of his barrel to center himself, he waited between breaths and squeezed
gently.

The shot rang out, even through the protectors. In the black. He breathed and fired
again, again, and again. Sixteen total before he was empty, ejected the magazine,
and laid the gun down gently.

“As you go on, you’re pulling down,” Tim said loudly behind him. He glanced back to
see his friend standing at the bench where they’d set down their bags.

“Did you even shoot?” he asked, removing the ear protectors and letting them hang
around his neck.

“Nah. Got a text from Skye so I read it first.”

Married people. Jesus. “You’re here to shoot, Rambo.”

Tim held up both hands in surrender, one still gripping the phone. “Hey, she was just
letting me know the four of them were heading to an earlier movie and going out for
dinner after, so we’re in the clear if we want to head back to the house to eat by
ourselves.”

“We?”

“Told her I was with you.”

“Ah.” Something else clicked in his mind. “Four? I thought it was just Veronica, Skye,
and Madison.”

“Looks like Madison’s friend, Matthew, is going to join up with them for the movie.”
Tim shrugged and dropped the phone back in his duffle bag. “More power to him. I certainly
didn’t want to see that one. Some chick flick I’d fall asleep during. Glad Skye’s
crossing it off her list without me.”

Tim walked to his lane and started to settle back up, but Jeremy stayed at the bench.

Matthew. What the fuck? Had she invited him along? Did she think he wouldn’t care?

Did he even have a right to care?

A small part of him whispered…
no
. He’d made it clear that a relationship—a real one, with being out in the open, making
plans for the future, doing things like going to movies together and not sneaking
around—wasn’t in the cards. And she’d agreed.

Too
fucking
bad
, a bigger part of him argued. Loudly. She’d made her choice, and she chose him. He
wasn’t seeing other women; why would she see another guy?

It’s not exactly a candlelit dinner
, the small, reasonable part of him reminded.
Just
a
group
of
people
going
to
a
movie.

In
a
darkened
theater, where nobody could see what other people were up to. Where every dude knows
how to make wandering hands effective.

“Dude.”

He whipped around to find Tim staring at him like he was an idiot. “What?”

Tim pointed to his own bright green ear protectors. “Wanna put those back on? I’m
about to shoot here.”

“Oh. Right.” He slipped them on, then watched Tim test out the Ruger, firing eight
shots succinctly and with near-perfect precision.

“Nice.” He went back to his own lane and loaded the mag en route. Then he lined up
and fired, knowing after the first shot he should step back and shake it off. But
he kept firing, poorly, until he ran empty.

“That round was just plain shitty. And I say that with love,” Tim commented from around
the half-wall.

“Yeah. I can feel all that love.” He ejected the mag and set the pistol down. Grabbing
a handful of bullets, he started loading up again. Casually, he said, “So, wanna head
back to your place and order a pizza after this?”

Tim’s head once more poked around the half-wall. “Yeah, sure. With Skye gone, it’s
not like I’ll be making gourmet for myself.”

“Sounds good. Maybe one of those movies I’ve been waiting to see will be streaming
and we can watch.”

“Deal. I’m going another round.” Tim disappeared, and a moment later Jeremy could
hear—almost feel—the faint
pop
pop
pop
of the .45 from the stall next to him. Another minute later, the door to the lobby
opened and a group of guys walked in, heading to the far lanes past them.

So maybe dinner at Tim’s place wasn’t the best idea he’d had. But if he could get
another glimpse of Madison and Matthew, judge how things were going there, it wouldn’t
hurt anything.

Satisfaction, pure and simple, hummed through his chest. He finished loading, pushed
the magazine in, slingshot back, took aim, and hit dead center in the black.

***

Matthew’s SUV pulled into the driveway of the townhouse, only making it a few feet
before he had to stop. Dread swirled in Madison’s gut at the sight of the object in
his way.

“That’s Jeremy’s truck,” Skye said from the backseat. “Huh. Tim didn’t mention he
was having Jeremy over.” She reached forward and patted Matthew’s shoulder. “Why don’t
you go ahead and park in the street and come in? We can all hang out.”

Matthew shook his head. “That’s a sweet offer, but I think I’m going to head on out.”

“Please?” Veronica asked quietly from the other side of the backseat. “We’re having
a lot of fun. I’d hate for you to take off now.”

Matthew glanced at Madison. She knew exactly what he was thinking. How the hell did
he turn down such a sweet invitation? She shrugged, held out her hands in an
It’s your choice, not mine
gesture, and hoped he understood he was under no obligation to stay.

Something new, a little different, and a little scary brightened his eyes. “Yeah,
what the hell? I’ll come in for a few.” He backed out and pulled forward onto the
curb next to the mailbox. “Not too long though. You ladies wore me out.”

She took her time grabbing her bag and heading to the front door. Not because she
wanted to avoid the scene that possibly awaited her inside, but more because—oh, hell.
Who in God’s name was she kidding? She totally wanted to avoid the scene.

“Hey, Skye.” She reached in her satchel and grabbed her keys. “I think I’m—”

“Don’t even think about it,” Matthew said low in her ear, taking a firm grip on her
upper arm. “You’re going in with me. End of story.”

Skye turned at the front door. “What?”

“I’m just warning I might not stay very long,” she finished lamely. “I’m really tired
too. But I’ll come in for a bit.”

Veronica and Skye pushed forward, Skye calling out Tim’s name to let him know they
were back. Madison waited until they rounded the corner of the entryway and whirled
on him. “What the hell?” she hissed.

“You started this by inviting me over a few weeks ago, need I remind you?” He tapped
the end of her nose with one finger. “So you can be a big girl and finish it.”

“There’s nothing to finish!” she growled. “It doesn’t matter. I apologized for using
you.”

“Look,” he said, one arm slung over her shoulder. “I’m your best friend. Right?”

“Right now? Not so sure,” Madison mumbled.

“I’ll pretend you agreed with me. That’s my favorite. So when you and this lover boy
finally make an official item of it, we’re going to be meeting up a lot. It’s just
a fact. He needs to get used to seeing me around. Because I refuse to lose you to
some Neanderthal who won’t let you have male friends.”

“That’s not how he is,” she protested. “It’s just, I really don’t want to do this
right now.”

“Too late,” he said through clenched teeth as the front door swung wide open again
and Veronica stood in the entryway, a confused look on her face.

“Are you guys not coming in?”

“Of course we are.” Matthew abandoned Madison—nice best friend—and looped his arm
through Veronica’s, leading her back to the living room and leaving Madison to follow
behind. “Have I told you how much I love your hair? So few women grow it out this
long anymore. It’s really unique.”

Veronica flushed a little and smoothed one hand down her long braid. “Thank you.”

Entering the living room, Madison took quick stock. The lights were off and the glare
from the movie cast an eerie blue glow over the room. Tim sat in the armchair, Skye
draped over his lap, her feet dangling over the arm of the chair. Matthew led Veronica
to take up the couch. But no sign of Jeremy.

“Sit down, squirt. You’re blocking the view.” Tim motioned at her with one hand—the
one not draped around his wife’s midsection.

She jumped to the side, then realized some action movie was on. But still, no sign
of Jeremy.

Do not ask. Do not ask. Do not—

“So, where’s—”

“Hey.”

She jumped again, this time straight up. “Jesus. Scare a few years off my life why
doncha?” She held one hand to her beating heart, turning her head to look at Jeremy,
who’d snuck in silently from the kitchen.

“Sorry. Thought it was obvious that’s where I was. What with the kitchen light on
and all that.” He held out a bottle. “Beer?” he offered innocently, eyes full of amusement.

Ha. Right. Like she needed any more damage to her poor nerves. “No, thanks. I’m driving
home soon.”

“But you just got here.”

“Jeremy. Hey. Good to see you again,” Matthew called from the couch. She tried to
make a face at him, imploring him to behave, but with Tim watching, there was no way
to do that undetected.

Jeremy took a few steps and offered a hand to shake. “Yeah, same to you. How are things
at the hospital?”

“Oh, crazy as always. Madison keeps me sane. Thank God for her.” Matthew smiled at
her, face as full of innocence as Jeremy’s had been a minute ago.

What—were all the men in her life turning on her in one big joke?