Sitting in my patrol car, I scroll through my social media trying to pass the time and quiet my mind. Leave it to my partner to take the night off too, asshole. I could be tormenting him instead of sulking over the fact that it’s been too long since I’ve seen my boy and his momma. Two weeks turned into four, and now I’m over here itching for my shift to end.
I laugh at some of the comments on my fan page, fangirls fawning over the new edits from the photo-shoots that kept me away from being a dad. I reply to some of them and snap a selfie to post. Less than a minute later the ‘likes’ start appearing.
My text alert sounds, and I chuckle as Smitty’s name pops up.
Smitty: Pretty boy, don’t you have a citation to write or something?
Me: Fuck off.
Smitty: Breakfast after work.
Me: Plans.
Smitty: Nope. Breakfast, it wasn’t a request. I’ll meet you at the diner. Don’t stand me up.
Life’s kept me from my friends here at home too, Smitty included. I’m surprised the fucker’s lasted this long without calling me out on it. Since I haven’t really felt much like talking while I’m at work with him, I guess he figures he’ll corner me at breakfast instead.
Me: You sound like a girl. Really, man, I need to hit the road.
Smitty: And you’ll need to eat, you can spare thirty minutes for a friend, dickhead.
Yeah, I’m not getting out of breakfast with Smitty. This isn’t a good sign. I’ve got a feeling he’s up to something. Fuck. I mean, I have been pretty much bolting whenever I can but for good reason. And, I haven’t told Smitty about Reid yet, so I don’t expect him to understand.
My shift ends on time, and I drive to the diner near the station to meet up with Smitty.
He’s standing outside, leaning against his car, waiting for me and for some odd reason he doesn’t look happy.
I shake my head and swear under my breath. I’m really in no mood for bullshit today.
“What’s up?” I ask as I walk over to where he’s standing.
“Got some catching up to do,” he answers gruffly as we enter the diner and grab a table.
“Morning boys, what can we getcha’?” We’ve barely sat down in the booth before Carey comes over with two cups of hot coffee for us.
I order my usual as does Smitty. We’ve been coming here for the last five years – ok well Smitty’s probably been coming here longer, but we’ve done this once or twice a week since I joined the force and got paired up with his broody self.
Carey jots down our orders and scurries off while I pour Splenda and two creamers into my cup and wait Smitty out.
Doesn’t take him long.
“Something been keeping you away, pretty boy?”
“Aww, Smitty, you been missing me?”
Smitty grunts and shakes his head, “What’s this I hear about you having a little boy?”
Everything around me stops as I process what he’s just asked me. For a split second, I imagine this must have been what it felt like for Kelsey when I showed up on her doorstep that day.
I don’t answer quickly enough because Smitty speaks up again.
“There a reason why you’re hiding them? Why you haven’t told anyone?”
I’m not hiding Reid, but for now – I’ve kept him tucked away, all for myself.
“There a reason why you’re offended by this information? I mean damn. I’m still getting used to the idea and trying to work out the details myself,” I defend.
“I’m your partner. When shit goes down, I’ve got your six. And yet, you didn’t think you should tell me that I’ve got a little nephew out there?”
That was not the reaction I was expecting from Smitty. Shit part of me expected him to be skeptical and tell me something like make sure he’s mine. I didn’t expect him to claim him too. Yet, there’s one burning question on my mind.
“Who told you?” I give him a questioning glare.
“You do realize, I’m banging your girl’s best friend.”
I hold up a finger, “First, she’s not my girl. Second, I prefer not to know about your sexcapades.”
“Whatever. Still, I should have heard it from you.”
“You’re right, you should have. Which means your girl, should have kept her mouth shut.”
A young waitress who is not Carey brings us our food, she sits the plates down but lingers until we look up at her in confusion.
“Uh, I’m sorry,” she giggles.
Smitty kicks me under the table. I try not to wince because I know what’s coming.
“You looked really familiar when you walked in, and well, hehe, I was just wondering, are you Rhys? That hot cop who’s on book covers now? I just finished reading this book with you on the cover. I have it with me. Could you sign it maybe? Could I get a picture with you?”
I can’t look at Smitty because if I do, I’m going to laugh. Instead, I smile at the waitress and quickly read her name tag. “Tell you what, you go get your book, and I’ll sign it for you, Ava,” I turn up the charm and give her a wink.
She lets out a giddy squeal and bounces off.
Three…two…one…
“Son of a bitch,” Smitty hoots. “This never gets old.”
I laugh and shake my head. “You don’t have much room to talk. Yours is coming. Just wait.” I’m looking forward to the day that Smitty’s face is plastered on a book cover. He’s just waiting for Zoey to finish writing then I’ll be able to rag on him like he’s been doing to me for months.
Hell, I posted a picture of him, a little behind the scenes from the photo-shoot March, and people went crazy. I have no doubt – once his name’s out there, his fame is coming.
Ava’s back with her book and her phone. I pull out my pen from my shirt pocket and sign the inside before handing it back, then she leans over my shoulder and takes a selfie of us together. I’m eager to get her away from me because her busty chest pressed against me feels all wrong.
I fight back another laugh when Carey comes over and shoos Ava away.
“I’m so sorry boys. She just started, and all she’s talked about is getting to meet you, Rhys. I tried to keep her away, but I had to take a phone call, and she got her way,” she smiles.
“Ah, it’s alright, Carey. She meant no harm.”
“Breakfast is on the house today. Mac’s orders before you two start protesting,” Carey winks and walks away.
“Damn, Mac.”
“Smitty,” I pick up my napkin and wipe my mouth.
“Yeah, I know, you’ve gotta run. Before you go, let me see pictures of the kid. I know you’ve got some.”
I grin like a Cheshire cat as I pull out my phone and pretend to load my photo album. “He’s something else,” I hand him my phone.
He looks down at my phone then drops it on the table. “You fucker.”
Now it’s my turn to have a good laugh, at his expense.
“There’s something really wrong with you Rhys,” he turns his head and slides my phone back across the table.
“Aww come on, you didn’t like that picture?”
“I could have spent my whole life without seeing whoever’s schlong that is. Jackass. Why the fuck do you have a dick on your phone man?”
“I googled it.”
“Sure you did.”
“Trust me. I could have showed you mine, but I didn’t want you to get jealous.”
“Why do you have pics of your dick on your phone? Never mind. Forget I asked,” Smitty raises his hands in surrender, “But seriously, delete them before you get in some kind of trouble. And dear God don’t be dumb enough to send nudes to anyone.”
“Okay, that conversation went south quickly. Thanks for the tip. Christ man, I’m not that dumb.”
“Nightstand,” Smitty coughs in his hand.
“Fuck you.”
“Just sayin. Now, can you be serious for five seconds and let me see my nephew?”
“Okay for real, here’s Reid.”
He eyes my phone cautiously, not taking it from my hand until he’s sure I’m not setting him up again. Smitty’s completely silent while he looks at the picture of Reid on the screen. It’s actually a ridiculous selfie that I took of me and him the last time I was with them, but it’s one of my favorite photos.
“Man, he looks just like you.”
“I know.”
“You and KJ?” he questions as he slides my phone back over.
“She kept him from me.”
“But she’s the mother of your child.”
“And I respect that.”
Smitty shakes his head, “When you get back, we’ll talk more about this. You should be doing right by her. Not having them live four hours away man.”
My jaw clenches. There’s so much I want to say. Smitty likes to overstep and plays big brother sometimes, now’s clearly one of those times. I’m not in the mood for a lecture from him on what I should do, though something tells me he might have some solid advice.
“Hey, Smitty.” I run my hand across my chin and the week-old stubble lingering there.
“Rhys.”
“How dumb would I be if I tried to make her mine again, after all this?” I can’t believe I’m having this conversation. Sitting here talking with my partner like a fucking girl. Let alone the fact that I’m entertaining taking things to the next level with her.
“You want to be in his life, right?”
“Well, yeah.”
“Then give it a shot.” He shrugs like it’s just that simple. “Take it from someone who came from a broken home – it’s worth it if you can make it work.”
It’s Smitty’s advice that rings out in my head as I drive to KJ’s house and I’m wondering if I’ll regret the choice I’m about to make.