During our marriage, I lived and breathed my husband.
No, I wasn’t Suzie Homemaker, but I was always there for him.
When he woke up in a cold sweat, I was there with a towel.
When he couldn’t sleep, I stayed awake with him.
When he had to see a counselor, I waited out front of the therapist’s door.
Unfortunately, when he pulled away I was so hurt I didn’t fight.
I guess because to fight meant you had to talk.
And I wasn’t sure I was ready to hear what he had to say.
So I said nothing at all.
And neither did he. As far as regrets go, let’s just say I have my own nightmares now. Only, there is no Eddie, no rock to hold me when I fall apart.
I used to love it when Eddie handcuffed me.
It was kinky and being his prisoner always resulted in numerous orgasms.
Not the case right now though.
Because that son of a bitch fake-arrested me in front of everyone at the bar.
The bar I frequent, no less.
McShane’s was my Cheers. I was the cute, sporty version of Norm but with a tight ass.
And he ruined it!
I couldn’t tell you what was said on the ride to the station because I was a screaming, swearing, head case who wanted to kill her ex-husband. However, the angrier and meaner I got, per typical Eddie, his response was, “All you’re doing is turning me on, superstar.”
See? Prick.
Hauling me inside, I expected it wouldn’t take long for his fellow officers to realize this was about to go from bad to worse. Except it didn’t. As I was steered toward holding, I was given smirks, waves, and even a pat on the ass. These people had once been my friends, and I’ve missed them.
It was my choice to give them up after the divorce, and it wasn’t an easy choice to make.
As we cleared the bullpen, I yelled, “Traitors!” to the room.
And yes, their laughter pissed me off immensely.
But Eddie’s chuckle sent me over the edge.
So, as he was ushering me inside my cell, I played pliant long enough for him to remove the handcuffs. And the second those suckers were off I punched my ex-husband right in the nose.
Staggering back, he yelled, “The fuck was that for?”
“You arrested me!” The last thing I needed right now was the media to catch wind of this. It’s bad enough that next time I went to the bar to catch a game I’d have to explain this nightmare away. But for this to go viral? Right as I was in position to move?
“Had you given me five minutes I wouldn’t have had to! Am I bleeding?”
“Yes,” I smiled smugly.
“God, you’re mean,” he said, shaking his head. “I like this side of you, Pharis.”
“Do I get a phone call?” I ignored his heated stare. A stare that was doing things to me. Naughty things. Jail cell sex things. “Because if I do, I’m calling the police!”
“Someone say police?” Butch said, strutting in with his usual swagger.
“Need a jail break?” Aaron asked right on his heels with a grin on his face.
I would never say aloud how much I missed seeing the three of them together. Like Eddie and me used to, they fit.
“Hi, guys.” I waved right as Eddie locks me in. “How are things?”
“What’d you do this time, superstar?” Butch asked, leaning against the bars. Like always, I extend my arms and best as he could, he gives me a big hug. Butch didn’t see the divorce as a breakup in our friendship. And as much as I had tried to back away he wasn’t having it. Butch was always checking on me, asking me dating advice, which personally made no sense since I had no experience with it. At the end of the day I realized he hadn’t wanted to lose me as a friend.
“Assault,” Eddie chimed in.
“Yeah?” Aaron laughed. “Was that before or after you cuffed her?”
“Before,” I provided helpfully. “But the bloody nose came after.”
“What did you expect me to do?” he grunted. “I just needed to talk to you; ask you a fucking question!”
Ignoring Eddie, I played catch up with the guys until the Chief walked in shaking his head.
“Howdy, sir.” I mock salute. “Are my tax dollars covering this? If so, I want pizza.”
“Do I even want to know?” he eyed me but directed the question at Eddie.
“No, sir,” Eddie mumbled from the corner. He did this for two reasons. One, he hated being ignored, and two, he hated being in trouble. Cops and rules, ya know...
“If I’m sprung I’m willing to spill.” I waved enthusiastically. “Especially for deep dish!”
Regarding Eddie, he ordered, “Open it.”
“But...”
“She is getting a hug and being released, Lieutenant Ellis. Our cells are for criminals,” he reprimanded. “Work your shit out elsewhere, like in a ring where she can finish kicking your ass, and I can buy a ticket for it.”
When my cell was opened, I went straight into the chief’s arms, giving him the best hug I had to offer.
“Staying out of trouble?” he whispered in my ear.
“Never,” I said, kissing his scruffy cheek.
Once the chief was gone, leaving me with Eddie and the boys, I took in the way he watched me, thought about how I wanted to handle it. But instead of saying a word, I walked away.
I guess some habits are hard to break.