Page 10 of Control (Everyday Heroes 3.50)
“Timing is everything.”
“It most definitely is,” I say as Grant points to my beer asking if I want another. I nod.
“Sunnyville Self Defense Class?”
“That would be the one.”
“Bear’s a good guy.”
“You know him?” Small town. Everyone knows everyone.
“Yep. Does that mean you’re going to be hanging around Sunnyville for a bit?”
“Seems like it. He has two instructors out on vacation, so I said I’d fill in.”
“It’s not like you don’t know how to defend yourself.”
“Are you still sore about that, Malone?” I tease, remembering our hand-to-hand combat lessons and how I beat him in the class competition.
“Nah.” He smiles. “Grudges aren’t my thing. You’ll have to come over sometime. We can catch up, shoot the shit, talk about the old days…”
“You mean talk about kicking each other’s asses.”
“We had some good times.”
“Fucking epic.” I take a tug on my beer.
“It’s a plan then. But for now, I’ve got to head home.” He stands from his stool and sets a business card on the bar top before cuffing me on the shoulder. “Good seeing you again, Rez.”
I pick up his card and turn it over in my hand as he walks away.
Sunnyville Police Department. Detective Grant Malone.
He’s where he should be. Detective. Husband. Father. He’s...Christ, he’s happy. Fulfilled. Doing what he loves.
I shake my head and look around. And what does that make you, Rez?
Hell if I know.
At one point my job was all I needed. But is that still all I need, or am I craving something more? Something else to give me that rush?
Fuck this.
Now’s not time for psychological bullshit.
Now’s time for another beer.
Chapter Four
Desi
“Des?”
I jump at the sound of my name and rap my head against the cabinet as the dogs lying in various places of the room jump and begin baying.
“Goddammit, Jeff. You scared the shit out of me.” I stand with a hand pressed to the back of my hair and my heart pounding a violent staccato in my chest.
Thoughts. Fears. Memories. The three hit like lightning, and I hate the irrepressible terror that accompanies them. Nothing happened to me. I don’t need to live in fear.
