Page 10 of Breathe Me In

“I see no introductions are needed,” Captain said and gave a nervous chuckle. “Shit, guys, how long’s it been?”

“Twelve years,” we both said within a half beat of one another.

Captain’s eyes bugged out as he absorbed what we’d just said. “Well, nothing like ripping the Band-Aid off.”

“What are you doin’ here?” I sounded rude. I didn’t mean to be. I also couldn’t help but feel a little lighter at the sight of her.

“Saving your ass, apparently,” she fired back, and I smirked.

“I see nothing’s changed.”

“Fuck, I hope it has.” She sank onto the chair next to a table, and Captain joined us. “Robert here asked me to come.” I glanced at the captain, who nodded.

“Our hands are tied at every corner, Stone.” He explained what I already knew. “I need these murders solved. I’m getting zero help from above.”

“So you bring me on as the lead, and you want to play dirty?”

“The hell you say!” Bree snapped, and I fought a grin; she was just as feisty as the girl I once knew. “I know there’ve been some issues with the public not trusting cops. It’s not my problem some assholes ‘tarnish the badge,’ but I hardly think my being here means we play dirty.”

“I didn’t mean it like that.” I hated that she was right. A few bad cops, and we all got labeled as crooked.

“I just work the system a different way and get what needs to be done.” She stood defiantly and stared me down.

“Come on, you two. We’re all professionals here.” Captain held a hand between us. “We’re also all friends. At least we used to be. Stone, I got you lead on this case, but if one of the others got it, I’d be pulling the same card. We need this case wrapped up.” He took a long breath to calm down. “Surely, we can come to a level playing field and get this mess cleared up?”

“I wasn’t the one that ran,” I muttered and eyed Bree hard, and she sank back down onto the chair. I remembered that day very well. She just up and left without a word. It was the same day I asked Sherry to marry me.

“Could you blame me?”

Silence blanketed the room while years of pent-up hurt and damage from that long-ago day pricked at my core.

“If anything, Bree, you’ll bring fire to this PD.” Captain chuckled. “All right, well, here’s the cherry on top: Bree starts today, and you two will be working together.”

You could have bounced a ball off the tension as we swallowed that little tidbit.

“If anyone asks, you’re a consultant on this case, Bree. Stone brought you on,” he added and shot me a shit-eating smirk that faded fast as he took in my expressionless face. “Stone, get her up to speed.”

“Understood, Robert.” I used his name on purpose, and he looked at the two of us and let out a long puff of air as he clapped his hands together.

“Well, this is incredibly awkward. I’m leavin’.”

Once the door shut behind him, we both broke into big smiles at his reaction.

I tossed the menu back into its place, needing something to do. “That was fun.” I laughed.

“Yeah.” She tucked her long, wavy hair behind her ear. “Making Robert uncomfortable used to be our thing.” She gave that throaty chuckle I remembered, and it felt so good.

“Easy target.” I gathered my things, but her words about not being able to stay bothered me. We could pretend it was all an act, but we were far from being okay together. I still struggled with my decision to choose Sherry over trying things with Bree back then. In spite of how close I’d been with Bree, I’d felt Sherry was who I needed after all the trauma I’d been through.

“Detective Stone.” Mr. Longboard hurried toward us, and I pulled my head out of my memories. “He’s on his way.” His gaze shifted to Bree. “Hello again, Detective Jaminson.”

“It’s not detective,” Bree said. “I’m a PI, and a consultant on this case. Hope my captain didn’t confuse you.” He shrugged. “Please call me Bree.” She turned her pearly whites on him, and I gave her a slit-eyed look.

Longboard whistled. “First name basis already.” He grinned at her. “Perhaps by the end of all this, we’ll do dinner.” I fought not to roll my eyes. The guy might be worried about his business, but it was clear he thought he had a way with the ladies.

“Well”—she checked her phone—“that depends on what you’ve got for me.”

Longboard turned his grin on me, but I glared back at him; I had no time for this. The bartender arrived, and I was glad we could focus on him instead. We settled onto barstools to wait.