AllFreeNovel
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Despite being a recluse, I haven’t stopped taking out my frustrations at the gym. But I’ve adopted a habit of coffee and energy drinks, with little appetite for food.
I’ve picked up on River’s habits I used to give him shit for.
“What the fuck are you here for? I don’t have time for your bullshit,” I say as he takes the stool next to me.
“From what I’ve heard, you have all the time in the world,” he counters, narrowing his eyes.
“No, asshole, I don’t have time for you,” I say, drumming my fingers on the bar counter. “I gave Landon two minutes. You’ve got one.”
“Prick,” he mutters under his breath. “Fine. We want your help. I’m sure he told you that.”
I nod. “Yeah. Some Omega in Isleton. Landon said I could help with pulling strings.”
River’s eyes narrow. “She’s not just some Omega,” he snaps, and my eyes widen slightly.
“Wow. So, she’s got you too, huh? You and Landon, interested in the same girl? What changed? You’re not working sixteen hours a day now?”
He huffs and fidgets on the stool. He bites his lip, and I can tell he wants to admit something.
Back when we were still partners, I could call him on his shit. But now the dynamic has changed, and my slightly crooked nose from when he punched me shows just how much.
“Fuck you, alright?” River exclaims, slamming his hand down on the counter, causing the few patrons to turn their heads towards us. “I didn’t want to be here. I don’t want to be talking to you, much less looking at your fucking face. I’m doing this for her. So will you help or not?”
I’m slightly stunned. River had all but sworn off any type of relationship or feelings for anyone, and now he’s meeting with me to ask for a favor.
I wonder how bitter his pride tasted when he swallowed it.
“Tell me more about it,” I finally say.
“Her best friend went missing, alright? And we don’t have enough time with all these O overdoses to put in the effort needed.”
Oh.
No wonder River doesn’t want to be here.
“Look, after everything that happened, I know you don’t want to do this, but—”
I chuckle humorlessly and shake my head. “You’re a fucking idiot. Go home.”
River’s nostrils flare, and I brace myself for a fight.
“The Isleton police have one detective. One, and they’re busy with O cases. We don’t need a lot. Just look at what we have, talk with her once—”
“You’re out of your fucking mind if you think I’m working on a missing persons case,” I say, my voice low. “Leave me the fuck alone.”
His eyes narrow. “Fuck, can you just fucking listen for a second? The reason we’re asking is that you’re the best private investigator we know. You specialized in missing persons! You have more contacts—”
“No. Fuck off.”
“Damnit, Vince. You can’t let this shit haunt you forever. We stayed, you didn’t. You owe us this.”
My fists clench.
It would be so easy to tell him to fuck off, but he’s right.
They did stay.
Even after what all three of us saw, Landon and River stayed.
