“You’re not my damn life teacher or whatever.”
“You’re twenty-one now, and you think you know it all? You know jack shit about life.”
“I’m not a toddler.”
“Then stop acting like one!”
“I got my ass dumped tonight, Tesco! Lighten the fuck up! I don’t need this shit right now!”
“Watch your mouth and put on your seatbelt.”
I roll my eyes and flip him off, but he doesn’t see me. Sighing, I try to watch the passing scenery, but the blur nauseates me more. As soon as I close my eyes, Ricky says, “This is almost déjà vu. Finn sat right there a couple years ago, crying after a fight with Hadley in a club.”
“Did you bust his balls, too?”
He laughs. “Yeah. I did, but he loves me, so it’s allowed.”
“Was that when Finn and Hadley broke up?”
Ricky looks at my reflection and then back to the road. “No. That was later.”
“What happened? She dumped him because he didn’t have enough life goals?” I roll my eyes and nearly fall with them.
Ricky shakes his head, bouncing his hair, and he dismally chuckles. “That wasn’t the reason. It was much more serious than that.”
“I bet he cheated.”
“I can’t say what happened. It’s not my story to tell.”
“It couldn’t have been that bad if they got married.”
“Wrong. It was horrific, and Finn went off the rails after they broke up.”
“They got back together, though. Maybe Audrey and I will too.”
He shrugs. “My second wife, Shay, didn’t take me back. It’ll work out if it’s meant to be.”
“It’s not like you’re doing so bad now. Your third wife is okay-looking.”
“Watch it, jackass. She’s beautiful, and she saved my life. I should’ve married her sooner and first. She’s it for me.”
“Too bad you knew her for years and didn’t do a damn thing about it.”
“Yeah, but sometimes life fucks around with you until the time is right.”
“Uh-huh. Life sure fucks me.”
“You fell down. So what? Pick your ass back up and keep going. That’s all you can do. I know you don’t want to hear it…but go to school.”
“For what? I have no idea what I want to do!” Past caring what he thinks of me, I start crying again. “That’s why I fucking lost my girlfriend!”
“She broke up with you because you work at Best Buy?”
“I did work there.” I shake my head, shrug, and watch Richmond buzz by as we merge onto the interstate.
“Why’d they fire you?”
I rub my eyes and clear my throat. “Audrey dumped me outside on my break. I might have yelled at her, and then I went inside and threw a printer.”
“You’re lucky they didn’t press charges.”
“I didn’t care. I still don’t. They can take it out of my paycheck or kiss my ass.”
Ricky shakes his head. “What will it take to turn you around?”
“Don’t bother. I don’t need you to fix my fucking life.”
“No, but I can try to help you, smartass.”
“I’m fine.” I wipe my nose on the inside of my shirt collar. “You’re not perfect.”
“My wife thinks so.”
I roll my eyes. “I was one of your groomsmen in June, and there was nothing about perfection in her vows, Tesco.”
“Fuck you,” he mumbles. “I’ve made mistakes. I met you, didn’t I?”
“And I changed your sorry life.”
“I wouldn’t give you that much credit.”
“You should. She wouldn’t have married you if it weren’t for me.”
He sighs. “Whatever. Look. I know you’re heartbroken. I’ve been through two divorces.”
“I wasn’t married.” As soon as it’s said, the words ring in my head, and I’m fucking crying again. The worst side effect of getting drunk is I whine and cry, so I prefer to drink alone. “I thought she was the one. But she’s just the one who broke my damn heart.”
“It’ll get better. You’ll be okay,” he consoles.
“I don’t want to just be okay. I want Audrey. I’ve always wanted her.”
“Yeah. I remember. I caught you during the reception behind the banquet hall, getting each other off.”
“Couldn’t help it. That dress she wore…I guess I could’ve fucked her in front of all your wedding guests, instead.”
“My brand-new wife would have killed you.”
I shrug, and it’s an effort. “Oh, well. Maybe I would’ve avoided this shit.”
“That’s not even funny. I deal with that shit nearly every day, and not just with my job. A friend of mine almost ended it. I won’t go through that again. I want to help you.”
“Get Audrey back for me.”
“I can’t do that.”
“I can’t live in Richmond and run into her all over the place. I need to leave.”
“Your family is here.”
“I can go back to California. My brother and my Malone cousins are there. I’ll crash with one of them for a while.”
“How often do you talk to any of them?”
I shrug. “I talk to Dalton every so often, but I talk to my cousin Grady off and on during the week. Why?”
Ricky perks up and nods like he’s scheming shit. “Your brother Dalton is a cop.”
“A California state trooper. So?”
“Law enforcement runs in your family.”
“Only on my mother’s side. My grandpa and two uncles were police officers, and my cousin Grant Malone is a detective.”
“I remember. I need to call your brother and Grant.”
I frown, but it’s more in confusion because, at the moment, I’ve forgotten my middle name. “What the fuck for?”
“Because I have a proposal.”
“Grant is married. I don’t think his wife, Emerson, would appreciate it. Dalton is single, though.”
“Ha ha, very funny. I mean a proposal for you.”
“I don’t swing that way. And you’re married. Your wife and I go way back.”
“Shut the fuck up for two seconds. I’ll make you a deal.”
I blink twice. “Like the game show?”
“Christ on the mount. Zip it.”
“You don’t have their phone numbers.”
“But that’s the cool thing. I have damn good resources.” He laughs, and I seriously consider making his new wife a widow.
I sigh and listen to the metallic rattling of the cage between us before asking, “What kind of deal?”
“Like a deal where I won’t arrest you this time.”
“What the hell? That’s still on the table?”
“Yep. I can easily book you into jail instead of taking you home. And Dylan, you’ll stay the night…at least.”
“Fuck.”
“Do you want your mom to find out? I mean, an assistant D.A. won’t be happy to find her adult son has been arrested for public intoxication, resisting arrest—”
“I didn’t resist!”
“You did enough. Assaulting a police officer…” Not yet.
“I didn’t even touch you! I will now, though.”
“Says you. Threatening a police officer…”
“Asshole. So nice of you. What the hell is the deal?”
I hear his smirk. “Here or California, you have to enroll in a police academy.”
“What the hell for?”
“Seriously?”
“Like attend school?”
His dark glare meets mine in the mirror. “Like following your family’s tradition and becoming a police officer.”
“Get the fuck out of here. You’re on crack if you think I’m doing that shit. Not everyone is a cop in my family.”
He sighs. “Okay. The turn-off for the jail is up here, so I’ll just—”
“Whoa. Wait. That’s the deal? You want me to be a damn cop?”
“I
’ve floated the idea with you before.”
“But I never really considered it!”
“You should. You may be rough around the edges now, but after some polishing, you could be a diamond.”
“No one is polishing me.”
“Your cellmate might, my friend.”
“God.”
“You need structure, and I think it’d be perfect for you. You have the book smarts—and don’t deny it. I know more than you think. You have street smarts, too, but damn. You need to work on your common sense and stay out of trouble. This would give you a career, Dylan.”
“Writing parking tickets and helping old ladies across the street. Great. Yeah. Sign me up for school. I’m not cut out to be a goody-goody like you.”
“I’m no angel, but I respect the law, and I’m good at upholding it. It’s in my blood. I think you could be a good officer too. You just need to fine-tune your attitude.”
“Bite my attitude.”
He glares at me in the mirror. “I mean it, McGrath. That’s my deal. Take it or leave it.”
“Become a cop or a criminal. Sounds rational.”
“Tick tock. Make your decision. If you stay here, I’ll help you. If you choose Cali, then I’m sure Grant will help you. Either way, this will make or break you.”
“You’re not giving me time to think about it?”
“Sure. You’ll have all the time you need in jail.”
“Why do you care?”
“Who else will save your ass? Another officer wouldn’t have given you this chance. I promise.”
“How long would I have to go to fucking school?”
Ricky snickers. “It’s not a whorehouse.”
I roll my eyes at his laughter. “You know what I mean.”
“Since you don’t have a college degree, especially in criminal justice, from your application to completion of the academy, about a year.”
I shake my head, but it makes me dizzy. “You’re crazy. I’m not doing that.”
“And training will kick your ass to hell and back. All you’ll do is work out, study classwork, firearms training, and driving skills. You’ll be too fucking exhausted to think about your breakup.” He looks away from the rearview. “They’ll whip you into shape in no time.”
“I’m not a pussy,” I whine.
“Okay. I’ll tell the jail to freshen up a cell for you and Bubba.”
“Fine, Tesco, but I already know how to drive.”
He laughs. “Oh, man. Not really. You’ll learn tactical driving skills.”
“And you’ll trust me with a gun?”
Ricky shakes his head as we pull to a red light. “That’s the only hitch in this idea.”
“I’ll try not to shoot you.”
“Thanks.”
“Yeah, but I can’t afford—”
“It’s my idea, and I will probably get a discount. I believe in you. Call it your Christmas gift for the next ten years.”
“Your wife will hate you for spending that kind of money on me. You’re a bigger asshole than I thought.”
“You’re a bigger douchebag than I thought, so I guess we’re even. If they hire you, they’ll pay you while attending the academy. So, you can finally get a real apartment.” He again looks at me in the mirror. “Why in the hell Byrd Park, anyway?”
I shrug. “Audrey loves it.”
“I’m sorry. You’ll find another woman in California.”
“I don’t want another one. I want her.” I sob, and Ricky sighs as I mumble, “I’ll never fall in love again.”
“Yeah, you will. I thought the same thing after Shay dumped me. Love will find you, for real. Your woman is still out there. Go find her.”
“I’m done looking.”
“Dylan, you can’t give up, man. Go to California and change your life. For the better. I know you can do it.”
Ricky pulls into the dirt driveway to my apartment. “Did Finn feed you that garbage?”
“No. But he’d agree with me. He struggled and nearly lost Hadley forever, to say the least.” He shakes his head. “Things could have been so different for them.”
I roll my eyes and tilt, catching myself on the vinyl seat, grimacing when I think of all the dirty people who have sat back here. Even in my foggy state, I sit up and wipe my hand on my leg, disgusted.
“Get some sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow. Be ready because your life is about to exponentially change.”
“Big word, Ricky. Say another one. It’s hot.” I laugh and slump but hit the window. Ricky gets out of the car and opens the door, catching me before I fall onto my face.
“Come on. Let’s get your sorry ass upstairs.”
Exponentially. I’ll believe it when I see it. Ricky Tesco better know what he’s doing because Dalton McGrath and Grant Malone will own this sorry ass if I’m moving back to California. And I’m positive that will change me more than becoming a cop, but I can’t deal with my broken heart here. I need to say goodbye to Richmond and start over. I wish I knew how to do that without Audrey.
Ricky opens the door, and I trip over the threshold, slam into the nearby armchair, and fall to the floor. “Christ Almighty, McGrath. Get up and go to bed.”
“Make me,” I mumble before I don’t remember more.
Chapter 2
The sun screams in my face, and I crash to the floor when I roll over to avoid it. It’s a good thing the crate I use for a coffee table broke my fall. “Motherfucker.”
Rubbing my arm, I sit up, blinking the offensive sun out of my eyes. The cheap clock on the wall claims it’s nine after eleven. I guess it doesn’t matter since I have nowhere to go anymore, but then the rest of my horrendous reality hits me. I’m single.
My heart stutters, and I get up and search for my phone. Spotting it on the crate, I pick it up and wonder how in the hell it got there when it was in my jeans. Shit. I didn’t drink that much, but I barely remember last night. I’m slipping. Unlocking the screen, I see missed texts and one call from Jordan. Then I see her name. Audrey. I again check the time and know she’s at work before heading to class for the second half of her day. I text her and ask if we can talk, but I’m met with silence though I see she read it.
Sitting down, I close my eyes as I rub my forehead. I do remember Ricky hauling me home. And his making me a deal—become a cop or go to jail next time. How kind of him.
As I wait for Audrey to respond, my eyes burn. Getting no response, I throw my phone. I hear it crash but don’t care where. It’s really over. She doesn’t love me anymore while I’m in broken agony.
I need air. Realizing I’m still wearing my shoes, I blow through the door and onto the small landing at the top of the rickety flight of stairs to see a dark blue truck pull behind my car. “Fuck.” I wipe my wet face on my arm and sniff, trying to erase my desolation.
“Hey, man. How you feeling?” Ricky asks, coming up the stairs.
I look away from him and concentrate on the peeling gray siding. “I’m fine.”
I hear him snicker. “Sure, you’re not. You talk to Audrey, yet?”
“Why would I want to talk to her? I’m not some whiner who can’t go on without a woman.”
His sanctimonious smirk annoys me, and I wonder why lightning hasn’t struck him yet. “Right. It’s okay to miss her. I get it. You’re heartbroken. It’ll take time—”
With a strained laugh, I sneer, “I’m not anything. I say good riddance.”
He hangs on to his self-righteousness. “Uh-huh.”
Sniffing again, I mutter, “What do you want now?”
“Don’t get mouthy. I talked to Dalton and Grant this morning.”
“About?”
“You weren’t that drunk. And I’m not letting this shit go this time. We have a deal.”
“You coerced me.”
“Let’s call it gentle steering with an iron fist.” He full-blown grins, and I full-blown hate him.
“You’re a twisted fuck.”
Ricky laughs
. “Tell me something I don’t already know. Anyway, one of them is totally jonesing to help you.” He pulls out his phone, and I hear ringing. Ricky then grins at the screen. “Hey, man. I’m here. You wanted to say something to him?”
Ricky hands me his phone, where my cousin Grant Malone’s enormous grin and muscles greet me from the screen. “Dylan! I’d ask how you are, but Ricky filled me in.” Kitchen cabinets make up his background, whereas dingy gray siding makes up mine.
“Hey, Grant,” I mumble, hating that I didn’t drown in Byrd Lake last night. “How’s it going?
“Good. Let’s set aside the bullshit. Ricky tells me you need my help. We need fresh blood. You ready to change your life?”
I laugh. “No. I’m fine here.”
“Says you. Ricky’s idea is brilliant. It’ll turn you around.”
“I’m not lost. You and Ricky are overreacting. I’ve only been on probation once.”
Both Ricky and Grant contend in unison. “Twice.”
“Oh, so now you’re digging into my sealed juvenile records?”
Ricky laughs as a breeze ruffles his hair. “We have connections. Remember?”
Grant says, “You turned eighteen on probation, so not so juvenile and easier to access.”
“Is there a point to your stalking?”
Grant laughs, shaking his phone. “Yeah. You have choices to make.”
Ricky concurs, “The academy or jail.”
I glare at Ricky, which makes him laugh and for Grant to state, “I talked to Dalton this morning, and he’s working up in Sacramento. We agree that it might be better to start small here. You can stay with us while you’re at the academy. What’s it going to be?”
I grumble, “This is against my will.”
Crossing his arms, Ricky says, “Shut up, McGrath, and be fucking thankful we’re helping you.”
“Fine.”
Grant nods. He and Ricky wear huge-ass grins. “Okay. Where?”
I roll my eyes. My mind immediately goes to Audrey. Can I totally upend my life now? Maybe she’ll change her mind and take me back. I can’t leave if that’s a possibility. “Can I let you know later?”
Grant raises an eyebrow. As a detective, he must do that often. “Why?”
I shrug. “I just…I might…Maybe…”
Rebel Rook: An Everyday Heroes World Novel (The Everyday Heroes World) Page 2
