Page 4 of Sour Notes

Lucas

Well, I am pretty.

Me

Pretty stupid.

Lucas

Rude. I won’t take offense to that since you’ve had a bad day. But get down here… I helpfully left a Ghostface mask in your trunk because I know you’ve got fuck all for it.

Me

Wtf, when did you break into my truck?

Lucas

Relax, I tossed it in there when we went to the hardware store the other day. See you soon.

You’re welcome by the way.

Ipush back from my desk with a sigh. Shitty day is an understatement. There’s something about being called to do a wellness check only to find the old dude DOA—no next of kin to call, an uneaten sandwich in his hand, and his TV paused mid-Friends rerun.

It does something to a guy.

I hate that kinda quiet.

The type that surrounds death.

And loneliness.

Makes me think too much, no matter how hard I try to leave my shit at the station door.

I can’t help but think about my own life.

Her…

The choices I’ve made so far.

Whether they mean I’ll be the guy who ultimately ends up alone, Chandler Bing my only friend.

See?

Does this sound like a guy who’s ready to party to you?

Much like the Friends theme song, it hasn’t been my day, my month, or maybe even my year.

Me

Fine. I’ll be there.

…for you. When the⁠—

Goddammit, now I’ve given myself an earworm.

“Oooh hey Lieutenant, how about taking me out for a drink tonight?”

My heart sinks at the sound of that voice. Nails on a chalkboard would be preferable.