“I’m a good cop!”
“This is bigger than you.”
“It’s about me!”
“What we are doing here as police officers is bigger than you and your fanbase! Now go!”
My chest bursts into flames. “Fine. I’m gone.”
Washington’s pace is slower, and I beat him to daylight. I tear keys from my pocket and throw them across the lot, skipping over hoods of cars before clattering onto boiling asphalt.
Washington takes his place at my side. “You gonna get those?”
“You get ‘em.”
“You’re outta your damn mind,” he chuckles, leaning on our car and crossing his arms. “I’m waiting.”
CHAPTER 2
SAME TIME ACROSS TOWN
DIANA
With her slow and gentle southern drawl, May Cocker begins, “When I was your age, I was married to the most handsome man who ever walked this great green Earth!” May’s blue eyes are so bright it gives her a youthful appearance, despite being born over a hundred years ago.
Residents of Silver Linings Senior Living facility tend to start stories with when I was your age — a charming commonality I never tire of. While placing boardgames back on the common room’s overcrowded shelves, I chuckle, “He was really that cute, huh?”
“Diana, my Jerald was exceptional and he knew it!” Her smile becomes private while she stares at his memory.
Afternoon naps were calling to most of the seniors, but not May. She and her friend, Alice, normally remain talking for another hour or so here while we leave them to it. It’s not a mandatory sleep-period, merely an option, and they prefer to spend it together. May has so much enthusiasm for life. Her friend, the same.
But today Alice wasn’t feeling well and opted to go to her room after lunch, skipping game-hour altogether.
Lucky me.
I get rare alone-time with the woman whose sharp mind, knowing blue eyes, and sweet drawl have made her my favorite resident over the past year since I became Activities Director.
So wild how life works.
Before this job I was searching for something, college behind me and nothing really sticking to my insides. When I saw the position open up in an online employment forum, I applied on a whim.
Since I’m more than a bit snarky and guarded, if anyone had told me I’d find this much entertainment or feel this connected to people fifty years older than I am and up, I’d have rolled my eyes and not believed them.
Yet here I am, happy to clock in every single day. I’ve had our residents doing everything from planting seeds in pots for local volunteer growers, to hiring carts we ride through the Botanical Gardens at least twice a month in, to creating scarecrows for the fall contest they held last year — all group events everyone can take part in.
It’s well known to the employees of Silver Linings that May is the matriarch to one of our city’s most famous families. I don’t know any of the other Cockers personally, as I went to schools in Decatur, then University in San Francisco, and they did not.
The only Cocker family member I care about is currently seated on her two floral-printed cushions she brings everywhere, her bright baby-blues suggesting she sees through your soul and if you’re lucky, approves.
“Well, someone upstairs must be smiling on me; I get you all to myself, May! Want more hot water for your tea?”
She smiles, “That would be nice, thank you, Diana. I was just thinking it was a travesty that my cup was empty and the machine is all the way over there.” As I take the offered tea-cup for a refill, transparent skin on her hand reminds me of a fragility her intellect makes me forget.
Will I live to be as old?
Will I be as adorable?
Doubt it.
One can dream.
I cross to the industrial-sized machine that lives on the far wall — medium-roast coffee, decaf, and hot water awaiting my choice. Something makes me glance to the clock where I pause, noting that it’s eleven-eleven — good luck and new beginnings.
While May begins sharing her story I choose a decaffeinated mint teabag and hurry back to take a seat, my attention fully hers.
“Jerald was in the Navy in World War II — a submarine planesman. We met before he left. I was barely seventeen and my mother changed her mind at the last minute, decidin’ to allow me to attend a dance I’d begged for, after all. I attended an all-girls catholic school and my parents were very strict. Thank you, honey. I’d never been to a dance where boys were in attendance, bussed all the way over from their school miles away. I was so excited I couldn’t decide which dress to wear. I changed nearly seven times!” Blue eyes go distant and dreamy as she pauses. Blinking twice, she returns to me. “I’d never seen Jerald Cocker before that night. He wasn’t supposed to be there, havin’ graduated the year prior. But his younger brother, Hank, was a senior and since Jerald would soon be leaving America, they made an exception out of respect to family and his service. It was clear to anyone lookin’ that he was a rebellious boy who hung with those just like him. And Hank was the same. They owned the room, everyone checkin’ to see what they were up to. Oh, we were so curious! One or two would occasionally leave to ask a lucky girl to dance. If they brought her back after one song, she’d be so disappointed it was hard not to empathize! My Jerald was above it all. He did not ask anyone to dance…until he came up to me. That was nearly an hour in, imagine that!” May’s fingers tenderly touch the top of my hand, skin cool compared to mine. “Diana, I watched that beautiful man with the most confident green eyes fixated on me as if I were the only girl there! And it was a big room! I almost ran, I was so excited. But I couldn’t. Have you ever seen in the movies where time slows down because something important is about to happen?”
My smile broadens. “Is that how you felt?”
She squeezes my hand, voice becoming a whisper. “This feelin’ came over me. I predicted my life was about to change, and change forever, and it did! My heart was thumpin’ so fast I didn’t know what to do. How I would talk to him! What I would say!”
“The dance must’ve been amazing.”
“Dance? Who could dance? I fainted! Dropped right then and there!”
I gasp, “You fainted?”
“Mmhmm. Woke up in his capable arms! I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming but I did not want to wake up if I was. Everyone around us was a blur to me because he was leaning close and asking if I was okay. The smell of him, I’ll never forget that smell, and his face near mine, those eyes! Diana, those eyes! I couldn’t answer him.” Her smile goes distant and white eyelashes fall toward the waiting tea.
“What happened next, Mrs. Cocker?”
Her fingers change their mind, releasing the cup. She frowns into the past.
Touching her back I ask, “May?”
“I miss him a little too much all of a sudden.”
An ache grows in my heart, uninvited. And I’m not the sentimental type, but the look on her face makes me grieve with her. “It isn’t fair that he’s gone.”
“No, it isn’t,” she sighs.
“I’d love to hear the rest whenever you want to tell it. Another time?”
“Yes, another time, Diana. I think I’d like to go to my room now.”
I help her stand and she waits as I gather her cushions, then slips her arm through mine.
In the hall she says, “We only had two children, my Michael who lives near here.”
“I’ve seen him come to visit you.”
Her blue eyes drift to admire the view as we pass by a large window. Spanish Moss-covered trees are giving way to a warm breeze, Spring in the air. “Michael takes me on rides every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Which is too much, between you and I. But he likes to do it. So bored from retirement, you know. My Marie passed last year.”
“I’m sorry.” She already told me, on many days before today, but I don’t need to remind her of that. The residents repeat themselves all of the time. It’s part of life here.
May
sighs, steps so slow they’re a crawl. “You’re not supposed to lose your children before you go, Diana. Michael is still with me, but I miss my daughter! Marie couldn’t have kids of her own, bless her heart, but Michael has six sons.”
“Six? That’s a lot!” Another fact I knew. The whole city knows. But that’s not the point. So I always act surprised.
May chuckles. “Just as handsome and strong as Jerald was, in their own ways. Perhaps some a little smarter than others. Michael was a congressman. Not one of those eggheads who took away the woman’s right to choose. Michael never lived in the dark ages."
“He stayed out of our uteruses.”
May blinks. “Goodness, when I was a girl we never spoke of such things! But yes, they came later, even after my grandson, Justin, was Senator. He helped persuade the public to vote them out of office, he had that much influence even after his terms ended.” Her face upturns to mine, since she’s so tiny. “My husband left behind more love in hearts that beat because of him. I’m selfish to miss him this much —he left me everything a mother could want.”
“If I were you I’d miss him, too.”
“Are you in love?”
“What? No. No way.” At her prying eyes I chuckle, “You want more information, don’t you?”
“That would be nice.”
“Well, hmm…I thought I was in love once. We were teenagers when we met. It kind of grew over time. But I sure didn’t faint when he walked up!”
May squeezes my arm. “I was only seventeen when I met Jerald.”
“Yes, but…” An image of Eddie flashes before me, and I’m still underwhelmed. He was a good man, but…
She interrupts my thoughts with her curious, “What happened?”
“We fizzled.”
“Why don’t you call him?”
I laugh, “May!”
“Perhaps it fizzled because you didn’t know how to make it sizzle.”
My eyebrows rise with my interest. “And how do I do that?”
“You make him feel like he’s your hero and if he’s a good man, he will be that hero for you.”
I open the door to where framed photographs of the family she loves are on every surface they’re suited for in a large, comfortable bedroom she calls home.
My distracted glance slides over their many faces, some familiar and most not, as she releases my arm. By her bedside, a black and white photograph captures my attention.
It’s of her late husband in his Navy uniform. “I wish I could bring Jerald back for you, May, if that’s any consolation.”
She steps out of comfy slippers, not facing me as she pulls back her blanket and quietly says, “Your listening to my stories is all an old woman needs.”
Shutting the door, I leave her with memories as company.
CHAPTER 3
WYATT
We’re silent as we drive, Washington behind the wheel since I can’t think straight.
I’m pissed off, stewing over the threat Chief gave, heartbeat ramped and skin too tight for my body.
Washington taps the wheel, biding time before I blow.
Don’t want to let her get to me. Trouble is, Fiore’s in charge now and ever since she took over it’s been an uphill battle I never intended to fight. She’s the only woman who hated me at first sight.
I know my worth. Maybe that’s what it is. There’s nothing about me that says insecure, beta, wimp, scared, or tentative. She’s an alpha, too. Maybe Fiore feels she has to prove dominance, as if her position doesn’t already take care of that.
I’m not the only alpha-type at our precinct, that’s a fact. I’m just the most popular.
So what if I flirt? Or hook up with a few fellow officers? I give one-hundred-percent of myself to this job. We’re all grown ups. Consensually we have sex with who we want.
She wants to stop me?
Fine.
I’ll stop.
But give a guy a break. Say it once, let me adjust and meet you halfway, and when I do, shut the fuck up.
I lean on the armrest to stare at a blurred Downtown, scanning for trouble to put to an end.
Dead out here. I’m outta luck. The suits are back at their desks, lunch-break over. Anyone planning to mug them is taking a break, waiting for foot traffic to return.
I’m chewing my inner cheek, eyes narrowed with restraint.
Can’t hold it back.
Not anymore.
I hit the dashboard, stinging palm gesturing in blunt motions as I shout, “I didn’t start the damn following! How was I to know I had a fan group?!”
“Man, I don’t think that’s the point. We should have seen them taking pictures.”
“We have seen them! We see them all the time!”
“Yeah,” he sighs, “but we thought they were just keeping tabs on us as officers.”
“Exactly! Civilians record cops all the time. Make sure we don’t cross a line. Never an issue for us, right?!”
Washington sucks on his teeth, thinking about it. He turns the wheel as he agrees, “We didn’t think anything of it. Let them film, those were my instincts. We’re clear. Nothin’ to hide. We should’ve told that to Chief.”
“I couldn’t. I was so pissed I couldn’t speak!
“She takes my tongue most days, too. On the chopping block every damn day!” We ride on for blocks before he finally grumbles, “I’ll tell you what else!”
“What?’
“I sure as hell didn’t think those cameras were fan-girling. You know why? You ain’t that special, Cocker.”
I cut him a look, and discover he’s dead-serious. “What?!”
His booming laugh explodes, practically rocking the vehicle.
My grin breaks free as I mutter, “Shut it.”
“You’re too much, man. Look at you! You got your panties in a bunch.”
“Nope.”
“Yep!”
“Don’t push it.”
“You want me to tell you you’re pretty?”
“Fuck off, Washington.”
“You’re so pretty!”
I laugh, “For the love of God, stop!”
“Cocky Cop! Oh man, that’s good.” He wipes his eyes. “I’m not gonna let you forget that anytime soon!”
“Alright, enough! It’s a very old, very used nickname for my entire family that started way before me, so don’t lay the claim at my feet.”
“I’ve met most of your family, Wyatt! You earn it more.”
Watching the road I adjust myself, getting comfortable. “You’ve met my cousin Caden. He’s cockier than I am.” After a second I admit, “Nah, I’ve got him beat. Ethan, now there’s a guy…oh, I take that back. He’s calmed down since he got married. You should have known him when he was single and got that first patent. Oh oh oh! I know who! Elijah! If you met my Senator cousin, Elijah, you wouldn’t say I’m—”
Cutting me off with a snort, Washington demands, “Are you comparing levels of arrogance? Is that seriously what you’re doing right now? You are ridiculous. And I keep forgetting your cousin is a Senator.”
“Last election.”
“I know. I was there when it happened. You never talk about him.”
“Nothing to say that hasn’t been said by the papers. My family’s proud of him, but he’s not the first politician we’ve had, or the first Senator, and it was sort of inevitable.”
“You’re not that close to him.”
Cutting my partner a look I correct him, tone serious. “I’m close to all of them.”
“That ain’t possible, man. There’s too damn many of you.”
I flatly shoot back, “Doesn’t matter,” as I stare out my window at Krispy Kreme on Ponce de Leon Avenue. Nothing better than one of those bad boys fresh out of the oven, glaze all melty and dripping down my fingers just like sex. But cops and donuts are such a cliché we never stop to get one. Not in uniform.
He’s right, not that I’ll admit it to him.
I’m not close with Elijah.
My cousin went away to college, spends most of his time in DC where he now lives, politics his whole life. The only one he’s tight with in our family is Gabriel, his twin. But with Gabriel being one of the top rockstars out there, always touring, I don’t know how often they see each other.
I’m lucky my brothers Nicholas and Nathan, and our sister, Zoe, stayed and made homes for themselves here where we’ve been our whole lives.
Especially Nate, one year younger than me and my best friend since his birth. He’s a firefighter now, serving the city like I am.
If he were in DC and I lived here, I’d probably transfer and that’s the truth.
Don’t know how the twins spend so much time away from each other. They’ve gotta feel even more connected than Nate and I do.
It doesn’t matter though because close to Elijah or no, if any of my cousins needed anything from me, I’d be there, no questions asked.
I drove up when Lexi and Hunter were in jail, helped them out even though it wasn’t my precinct. There was never even a question of if I’d do that or not. Got a date out of the deal, too.
If I needed any of them, it’d be the same reciprocal loyalty.
A few quiet blocks later and Washington mutters again, “Cocky Cop. That’s so funny it won’t get old.”
I rub an itch on my knee, midnight-blue uniform snug. “I noticed they didn’t make a group about you. Probably should work on that belly.”
“Hey man, I diet.”
“On beer and burgers.”
“Best things on the planet!” He cuts me a glance. “Other than a woman, that is.”
“Truth.”
Little Five Points, one of Zone Five’s neighborhoods, our beat. No matter how many times we come here, every time I see that alley it brings me back to the night with Lou and Toby.
There’s always foot traffic here thanks to shops owned by locals, hip restaurants with great food like the Vortex, my favorite, and the ever-present street-vendors beckoning locals and tourists to buy stuff they probably don’t need.
Wyatt Cocker (Cocker Brothers Book 23) Page 2
