Dirty Cops Next Door

by Summer Cooper

  She had never asked her mom about it but Jacky was pretty sure Nick didn’t just phone out of the blue a week later to casually catch up. Her mother must have contacted him out of desperation, unsure what to do with her emotionally unstable daughter who refused to leave her room or even eat.

  This time, when Nick asked her to move to the city and be their secretary, she uncharacteristically decided to do it. She’d never been one for rash decisions but she was desperate for a new start. It felt like her life was over and she was willing to try anything if it meant not being a burden on her parents.

  The boys were efficient, or more precisely, they had the means to make things happen efficiently. She was in California within a week, set up in a modest but beautifully furnished apartment just down the road from their office. It was the first time she had a place for herself. And although she arrived with two suitcases and nothing else, it had become her home.

  Three months on, Jacky had added a few things here and there to make it her own. She knew they were overpaying her but she saved it away for her studies. One day she’d pay them back, but for now, she knew she had to get over her pride and accept the neatly-disguised hand-out.

  When Adam kissed her it was simply too much for her to process. She enjoyed the kiss, that much she knew, but it threatened her new-found stability and future. She knew they were just drunk and that it was probably nothing, but she couldn’t stop thinking about it. She’d known Adam for so long but she’d never thought of him in that way. She’d never really cared for a man other than Paul.

  Sure, when she first got to California, she took full advantage of her newfound freedom. A single woman in the city, and especially one as good-looking as her, she had no trouble finding a new bed every night. She made sure the boys never knew about her newfound sexual prowess, but during the first two months, she caught up everything she’d missed out on over the years.

  It didn’t do much for the empty feeling inside though. After every pointless one-night stand, she’d pick up her things and tip-toe out, returning to her apartment to lock herself away from the world and bury herself in the blankets. She realized that it wasn’t the way to find love, and resorted to her old ways of devouring every book she could get her hands on, drinking slow glasses of cheap red wine in the fortress that was now her home.

  She never let any men come to her place—it was her sanctuary. So, when Adam kissed her on her own turf, it got to her on a level that she’d never imagined. But she knew it could never be. Not if she wanted to keep this world she was building for herself. She had to keep work and her private life separate. Adam and Nick were her lifelines in the city and she wouldn’t mess with that.

  The door suddenly opened and Adam rushed in, snapping Jacky out of her hungover-nostalgia. She looked away.

  Adam shot Jacky a panicked look briefly before disappearing into his office and slamming the door behind him. He looked flustered and awkward but he was gone before Jacky could say anything. Not that she knew what she would have said.

  Nick’s door opened moments later. He looked rugged from the night before and had clearly just woken up. Oh, the perks of working for oneself.

  “Jax! Jesus…” he pushed his messy blonde hair from his eyes.

  “Coffee and some paracetamol?” she smiled, her own hangover nursed the same way not too long ago.

  “Hmm, please. That sounds good. Was that Adam? Is he in? We need to talk about this meeting we have later,” he mumbled, walking towards the other door without even waiting for an answer.

  “Don’t you knock?” Adam asked, looking up from his blank computer screen.

  “Since when do I have to knock? What’s going on?” Nick looked at him suspiciously.

  “Nothing. What do you want?”

  “Wow, and I thought I was the one with the hangover, what has gotten into you? I…”

  He was interrupted by Jacky bringing in the promised coffee. She knocked on the open door before awkwardly setting down the cup in front of Nick.

  “Sorry, your coffee, I…” she looked at Adam briefly before stumbling out of the room again.

  “What the fuck is up with you guys?” Nick took a sip of his coffee, questionably eyeing his best friend.

  “You came in here for something? Do you want to talk about the meeting?” Adam tried to change the topic but with no luck.

  “C’mon Adam, I’ve known you longer than that. Why is Jax being so strange and why can’t you look her in the eye? Did you two hook up? What happened last night when I passed out?” He never beat around the bush.

  “What? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Adam was blushing and he knew it. He got up and walked towards the fridge to look for something to drink, grabbing a bottle of water he had no intention of drinking from the top rack.

  “You sly dog… did you finally fuck her? Strange, I always thought I’d be the first one to get with Jax.” Nick laughed.

  “Lower your voice, damn it!” Adam scolded, slamming the door shut behind them. “It was just a kiss. Nothing happened.”

  “Oh shit, so I was right?” Nick burst out laughing, his hangover almost forgotten.

  “I don’t want to talk about it,” Adam muttered.

  “You do know that’s not really an acceptable answer, right? How was it? Did you grab her breasts? I always wanted to do that… they look so firm—were they firm?”

  “Ugh, you’re such a dog. It wasn’t like that. It was just a kiss. And now it’s all weird.”

  “You are seriously overthinking this, dude. It’s just a kiss.”

  “But it was Jax, man.”

  “Don’t you like her?”

  “Yeah, you know I do. That’s the whole point.”

  “You’re being way too emotional. You either fuck a chick or you don’t. This in between stuff is way too complicated. If I was you, I would’ve nailed her right there on the pavement before she even knew what hit her!”

  “You’re being such a tool.”

  “I think I’m still drunk. Doesn’t matter. Now that the gates are open, it’s a free for all. Thanks, man!”

  “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “Clearly she’s over Paul, so she’s on the market again. Just in time too, I’ve been looking for another challenge.”

  “Don’t be like that, Nick. Not Jax. You can literally have any damn girl you want, why her?”

  “That is exactly why and you know it. I’ve been waiting way too long to get inside her.”

  “That’s disgusting, don’t talk about her like that. She’s got more class than to fall for your tricks.”

  “Well, she can’t have that much class if she kissed you.”

  “Now you’re just being an asshole.”

  “Stop sulking like a little bitch. You know I’m just pulling your leg,” he teased, walking towards the door. “If I wanted to fuck Jax, I’d just do it. I wouldn’t be here talking to you about it.” He winked and walked out.

  “Dick! Close the door behind you!” Adam shouted after him.

  He slumped back in his chair, once more replaying the scene from the previous night in his head. He could still feel her lips, how soft they were, the closeness of her body to his. His pants stirred just thinking about it.

  Nick was right about one thing… he’d always had a thing for Jax but she’d never been his for the taking. Maybe that was about to change. She wouldn’t be stupid enough to fall for Nick’s stupid moves. Would she?

  3

  “You look stunning in that dress. Are you trying to drive me insane?” Nick said sweetly.

  “Stop being silly. Can’t you ever just give a compliment like a normal person? Why do you always have to go there?” Jacky blushed despite herself.

  She did look stunning. The low-cut, black dress showed off her supple C-cups and perfectly firm ass. The dress was tight and fitted perfectly—why wouldn’t it? Nick had the tailor make outfits for all three of them for the event. Her long brown hair was neatly tied up in an alm
ost medieval style with dramatic makeup to match. She looked like a completely different person. Nobody could keep their eyes off her but she was completely oblivious to the attention.

  Nick looked dapper in his black suit and Adam looked sharp for once too. But he was currently at the bar. He had run there almost as soon as they’d arrived. Things were still weird between him and Jacky since their kiss two nights ago but he was hoping to drink the feeling away. It had become almost unbearable to be at work.

  “Am I not allowed to compliment you now? I think that’s unfair.” Nick smiled, slowly reaching over and pushing a strand of hair from her cheek, moving closer to her, his face mere inches away from hers.

  It was during this intimate exchange that Adam finally made his way back to the table, or started to. From where he was standing, it very much looked like Nick had finally made a move on his girl and she wasn’t resisting.

  Already four whiskeys deep, Adam didn’t bother to wait to see how the play panned out. It was one thing to be rejected, but it was completely another to be forced to be the third wheel while Nick once again walked away with the girl. The story of his life.

  He put the empty glass down on the nearest table and stormed off, not even caring that the awards were about to start.

  Jacky pulled away, playfully slapping Nick’s chest. He laughed, catching sight of Adam just as he angrily slammed down his glass and stormed off. He knew exactly what had happened and how it had looked but he didn’t bother running after his friend. It was working out perfectly for him. Besides, he was in no mood to watch his friend sulk the whole night. It was an evening for celebrating.

  The lights dimmed, signaling the start of the formalities and everyone hurriedly returned to their seats. Everyone except Adam that is.

  “Where is he?” Jacky asked, scanning the room.

  Nick took out his phone and pretended to read through his messages. “He left. Said he wasn’t feeling too well. I suppose I’m not surprised, he’s been looking a bit off the last few days,” Nick said without so much as blinking an eye. He had always been a smooth liar and felt no shame in changing the details to suit his needs.

  “Why didn’t he say goodbye?” Jacky was suspicious but he could see she was equally relieved. Neither of them had addressed the kiss, and the awkwardness had grown.

  “You know how Adam is. Guess he’s just in a mood or something,” Nick said, taking another swig of his drink.

  “Fair enough.” Jacky smiled, reverting her attention to the stage where an old man in an over-sized suit was running through the nominations on the big screen. This would take another boring half hour to get to the point, during which the waiter made sure to keep refilling their quickly-emptying glasses.

  It wouldn’t be until their names were called that Nick would pay attention again to what was being said on stage.

  “You won!” Jacky shouted as the clapping around them started. She jumped up with Nick, hugging him jubilantly before he jogged to the stage to receive his award.

  “Thanks, everyone, we appreciate this!” Nick exclaimed from the stage, before making his way back to Jacky.

  She embraced him happily, beaming with pride, heart racing in excitement!

  He grabbed her around the waist, taking a bottle of champagne off the table and walking out of the building.

  “Wait, where are we going?” Jacky asked as they ran down the stairs, holding onto his arms so she wouldn’t trip in her high heels. “The awards are still going on!”

  “Yeah, but we won! What else is there?!” he spun her around merrily, kissing her openly on the lips before letting her go again to quickly make a call on his phone.

  “Who are you calling?” she asked but he didn’t respond, simply shook the bottle of champagne before spilling it all over the sidewalk and taking a big gulp before passing it to her.

  “It’s a surprise, we have to celebrate!” he exclaimed, leading her down the steps.

  They only made it half way through the bottle before a white limousine pulled up. The driver jumped out and opened the door for them, ushering Jacky inside before she could ask any questions.

  “To the airport,” Nick told the driver as he slid in after the goddess in black.

  “Yes, Mr. Thomas. Only a pleasure.” He closed the door behind them and pulled away from the hotel.

  “You’re mad, Nick. Where are we going?” Jacky was half tipsy, half still on a high from the victory at the awards. For the first time in a while she felt happy, almost light. For a moment, all her worries melted away as they cruised through the city streets towards the airport.

  “I told you, it’s a surprise. Stop asking so many questions and just trust me,” he said, smiling as he put his hand on her leg affectionately. She didn’t push him away, just smiled in return.

  “You’re not exactly a very trust-worthy source.” She grinned, taking the bottle from him and having another big sip of champagne without even bothering to grab a glass from the bar in the corner.

  “Don’t be like that, Jax. You know me better than that. I’m basically harmless, I just talk a big game. Speaking of, let me just send a quick message.” He removed his hand from her leg to type furiously on his phone.

  “Where are we going?” she asked again when he put the phone down and smiled at her.

  “To Prague my darling, to Prague!”

  4

  “Are we really going to Prague?” Jacky asked as the private ten-seater plane took off, leaving the city lights far below. She’d given up on her dream to see the gothic city when she broke off her future with Paul.

  “Why are you so distrustful?” Nick laughed, pouring her another glass of wine. They had finally moved on from the champagne to a fruity Cabernet Sauvignon.

  “You know I’ve never been to Europe before. It blows my mind that you can just organize a plane in a second to take us off for the night. I don’t even have any clothes!”

  “You don’t need clothes. Besides, you know I’d never let you want for anything. I have more money than I know what to do with. And when you have money, you can make anything happen, including an impromptu trip to Prague. That is how money works, silly.”

  “I wouldn’t know, I’ve never had that much money.”

  “I’ve offered it to you more than once, don’t you start.”

  “I don’t want a hand-out. Like I told you, I’ll make my own way. I’m not going to sponge off your success,” she said stubbornly.

  “We got lucky and you know it. Anyone could’ve made that app. We were just the first.”

  “It’s not like you to be modest,” she said, laughing.

  “Do you know me at all?”

  “What are you talking about? I’ve known you for almost 15 years. You’re the biggest man-whore I know and now you’re a man-whore with money—the most dangerous kind.” She laughed, finishing her glass and holding it out to him for a refill.

  “See what I mean. You only know the stories you hear and the crap Adam tells you. You’ve been gone for a long time, Jax. Things change.”

  “You haven’t changed one bit. Though your hair seems to be getting darker. Like a dirty blonde now.”

  “I’ve always been a dirty blonde.” He winked at her and she burst out laughing.

  “How on earth did we ever become friends? We have nothing in common!”

  “Well, you fell in love with that oppressive asshole Paul and kind of just had to put up with his two nerdy best friends who spent more time in the garage on the computer than on the sports field. I can see why you picked him.”

  “I didn’t ‘pick’ him. He picked me. He was the only one who asked. To be honest, I actually liked all of you for different reasons. But you and Adam could never be bothered with me. Paul was banging down my door since day one.”

  “I wouldn’t put it like that. Paul was the only one brave enough to go for you. I knew you were out of my league from day one. I just wish you didn’t waste so much time with that idiot who never appreciated yo
u.”

  “Do you still talk to Paul?” she asked, ignoring his comments, staring deeply into his stormy blue eyes.

  “Nope. He phoned me after the day I convinced you to come here…”

  “It didn’t take much convincing. I had nowhere else to go.”

  “He phoned me and told me I was the worst friend in the world and said he would never speak to me again if I took you away.”

  “You never told me that part…”

  “I choose you. I’d do it over again in a heartbeat. He never deserved you. My only regret is that I couldn’t get you out of there sooner. You’re the last person I ever wanted to get hurt. You’re such a beautiful soul.” He took her hand in his, a new vulnerability that she’d never seen playing on his face.

  “And not just my body?”

  “You know I can get that anywhere. You’re different though, Jax and you know it. You’ve always been special to me.”

  “Such a charmer.” She laughed, never breaking his intense stare, his hands still in hers.

  “I’m so glad you’re here,” he replied, moving closer to her and for the second time the night placing his lips over hers, tasting the sweet lip-gloss only momentarily before leaning back.

  She didn’t say anything, just kissed him back, breathing in the scent of him as she held onto his neck. She didn’t open her eyes, just rested her head on his shoulder.

  “Oh Jax, you know you’ve always been the only one, right?” He smiled, stroking her hair and kissing the top of her head sweetly.

  She’d never seen this vulnerable side of him; Nick felt like a completely different person. She didn’t move away, it felt good to be so close to him, to breathe him in. He had no intention of letting go either.

  They fell asleep like that, holding one another tight, whispering secrets to each other.

  “This place is magical!” Jacky exclaimed as she took in the view from the penthouse suite, 25 stories up.