Ten Years Later

Jake

 

“Wait–don’t leave,” I say to, uh, what’s her name again? Vivian? I adjust my dick in the boxer briefs I yanked on before I followed the crazy blonde from my bedroom. “I’m sorry. I swear, I’m usually a better host in the mornings.”

She spins around, and I almost run into her scowling face.

“Oh, do you mean you’re a better host once I use my drool to suck your cock?” Her Brooklyn accent is coming out and swinging thick.

“Damn, when you put it that way, it sounds bad.”

“No shit. I’d tell you never to call me again, but I know you didn’t plan on it in the first place.”

I point at her. “In my defense, you begged to come home with me.”

“Only after you fed me cocktails to ensure I would.”

“Please, you slurped those drinks down all on your own, and you were praying I’d fuck your brains out.”

Crossing her arms, she smugly raises her eyebrows. They give away her fake blond hair, but I already knew the carpet didn’t match the drapes. I found that out last night before she lost her damn mind.

“You’re right, and you obviously failed, seeing how I’m still smart enough this morning to tell you to go fuck yourself!” With her chin held high, she turns and stomps out the door.

“Damn,” Elliott says from behind me. It’s too early for his shit. “I’m going to rank that chick in your top five fails. I’d say she’s number four, right above the girl you squirted ketchup on instead of chocolate syrup.”

Turning to face him, I roll my eyes.

“We’ve been over this. I was trashed, and we hadn’t fixed the light inside the refrigerator. Besides, those bottles were shaped the same, and if she hadn’t been a bitch before I squirted it all over her tits, she would’ve found it humorous.”

“What sent this one running?” Elliott shoves some paperwork into his black duffle bag propped on the arm of the couch.

He’s wearing his scrubs, which means I’ll have the house to myself for a few days. At least I have that going for me.

“I woke up to a puddle of drool on my chest, so I woke her ass up and told her I had something lower she could drool on.”

“You’re a fucking moron.”

“The down-to-earth chicks, who don’t have sticks shoved up their asses, find my remarks funny.”

“I’ll be at the hospital the next three days.”

“Why don’t you come home and sleep in your own bed between your long shifts?”

“It’s not worth the hassle of traveling back and forth on the train.”

Sliding my fingers through my dark hair, I sigh.

“You know, it doesn’t matter how many hours you put into your residency, you won’t be able to save everyone.”

He gives me a look of warning for even broaching the sore subject.

“I’ll see you in a few days.”

Once Elliott leaves, I trudge to my bathroom that’s off my bedroom. It’s only six-thirty in the morning, and what was I thinking waking that chick up over a glob of drool?

After taking a piss, I fall on my bed, on my stomach, but the second I wrap my arms around the pillow, my phone rings.

“Fuck.” Leaning over the bed, I handle my jeans on the floor until I find the pocket with my cell inside it.

“Jake here, and this better be life or death.”

“Why do you try to guilt me before I even ask for help?” my brother-in-law, Brad, asks.

“Life or death. I really mean it this time.”

“I need you to pick Maddie up from school.”

I groan, but he knows as well as I do that I’ll say yes.

“All right.”

“Thanks. I’ll text you the info of her new school. I put you on the list of people who can pick Madeline up, and I’ll email her teacher to let her know. Uh, could you keep her all night and take her to school in the morning, too?”

“You’re killing me.” I groan again. “Unless there’s a homicide, I’m off until Monday, and it’s not my weekend to keep Maddie, so don’t try to stick me with her tomorrow night, too.”

“I won’t. Just tonight.”

I’m silent as a thought comes to mind.

“Are you there?” he asks.

“Yeah. You’re not… I mean, are you working late or something?”

“Jake, I’m not seeing someone if that’s what you’re wondering.”

“I’ll admit, the thought crossed my mind.”

“I knew all along what your sister was doi—”

“Shut it. Don’t say another word. You know you can’t tell me shit about the situation. My reputation as a detective has suffered enough just having my sister get locked up for embezzlement. I don’t need to lose my career on top of it.”

“OK, all I was trying to say is I can’t hold this against her. I love Marcy, and I wouldn’t cheat on her.”

“Please, forget I brought it up. Look, I want to get some sleep before I have Maddie to chase after.”

“All right. Shoot me a text once you pick her up.”

“No problem.”

“Oh, and no sugar in the morning.”

“What was that? The line–you’re breaking up.”

Ending the call, I toss my phone on the floor. Damn, I better rest up before it’s Maddie Mayhem in this place.