AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Doubtful,” I say with a smirk. “Yours make my eyes water.”
His gaze falls back to his file and his shoulders go stiff. “What about Nadine’s?”
I freeze at the mention of that place. Mom still works shifts there and we’re not exactly on good terms. But maybe he’s missing his family. Just because I’m estranged doesn’t mean he wants to be. It’d be selfish to deny him this no matter how much I will hate my life.
“Lucy’s working there this summer,” Kaden says. “I miss her.”
Like I can say no to that. Ugh. Kids. They’re great at knowing exactly which buttons to push to get what they want—or in this case, need.
“Yeah, bud. We can go there. But when my farts out-stink yours, I don’t want to hear any complaining.”
Tara winks at me, letting me know she’s proud of how I handled it. It’s definitely relieving since I feel like I’m flying blind with this. Tara has a couple of teenagers, so she knows better than anyone.
Aisha comes running to me while talking into her radio. She motions for me to move my ass. I give Kaden a quick wave and then we race out to the car as she fills me in on our call.
Three-vehicle accident on Main Street.
As we rush to the squad car, I pass by a shiny red Porsche that’s parked in the chief’s spot. I make a note to have it towed later if it’s still here when we get back. The police station is near Park Mountain Bank & Trust and we often have people park in our lot if the bank’s is full. It’s an annoying pet peeve of mine and I take satisfaction in having them towed if they outstay their welcome.
“How much do you think they pay him anyway?” Aisha asks as we get settled in the car. “I mean, they’re not paying us that well.”
I drive past the parked Porsche with the new paper tags on the back. “That’s Tanaka’s?”
“Yup. Saw him drive up in it this morning.”
“Hmm,” I utter under my breath.
Something is up with our chief and I’m not crazy for thinking it. Perhaps I’ll have a little investigation of my own.
Today has been a day from hell for car accidents. You’d think the people of Washington had never seen rain before. Tara texted to let me know she’d take care of feeding Kaden since I never made it back to the station. I feel like a terrible aunt making promises I can’t keep.
When I clock out for the day, dead on my feet, Kaden waits by the front door, eyebrows furrowed. I can tell he wants to ask about going to Nadine’s but must see the look of pure exhaustion on my face.
“Still up for our diner date?” I ask while stifling a yawn.
His lips curl into a grin. “Yup. Tara made me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch. Not exactly filling.”
Teen boys and their bottomless pit stomachs.
“At least you got lunch,” I tease, elbowing him. “I ate some peanut butter crackers Aisha had stowed away in the glovebox. I’d kill for some onion rings about now.”
We chat about how his day went for the fifteen minutes or so it takes to get to Nadine’s Diner. It’s always busy morning, noon, or night. Cheap, decent food within walking distance of two apartment complexes and three neighborhoods. I haven’t been here in years, so when we pull into the parking lot, I’m hit with a sudden bout of nostalgia.
So many days I used to sit in one of the empty booths, working on homework and dreaming of a better future for myself. I finally got where I wanted to be, but until I made it, I wanted to give up so many times.
Unlike Jamie, I didn’t have a knight in shining armor to swoop me off my feet and save the day. I had to earn it myself, fighting tooth and nail along the way.
Before I can psyche myself up to go inside, Kaden flings himself out and all but runs to the front door. I groan at his enthusiasm and quickly follow after. The bell chimes when I push through. Kaden is already sitting at the counter and picking up the menu. Lucy is on the phone, taking an order, but is grinning at her younger brother.
When did she get so grown?
Rhiannon made beautiful babies, that’s for sure. It may have been the only good thing she’s done in her life.
Lucy ends her call and then lets out a yelp of excitement at seeing us. She hugs her brother and then hugs me before I sit down. Her golden tresses are pulled back into a high ponytail that looks cute on her.
“Long time, no see, Aunt Sloane,” Lucy says, smiling so wide her jaw has to ache. “Grandma said you were looking after my brother. Thank you.”
At least I know Mom got my messages. It would have been nice to get a response.
