Page 4 of Under the Radar

Hannah laughed. “Oh. Yeah. Me too.”

“I’m pretty easy. We can decide who does what, and I have no problem helping out. Brett and I did our own laundry and cleaned our bathrooms, but we divided the rest up. As for cooking, we can figure that out. Whatever works for us is good. I won’t weigh my cereal. Just don’t pick out all the marshmallows in the Lucky Charms.” I winked at her.

She chuckled. “Deal.”

“Where are you living now?”

“Crashing on a friend’s sofa.”

“Do you have a lot to move in?”

“My bedroom furniture, some boxes, and I do have a newer sofa I want to keep. And a couple of chairs. Some tables and pictures. They’re all in my friend’s storage locker.”

“No worries. The living room is kinda sparse. I haven’t really done much since Brett moved out with Kelly. Most of the stuff was his, although he left me a few pieces.”

“So I can put that in the living room?”

“Knock yourself out.”

“When can I move in?”

“Today works.”

“Don’t you want to check my references or do a background check on me? I could be trouble,” she added with a wink.

“I think the police force is enough of a background check. And I trust you.”

I didn’t say anything about the trouble remark. I already knew she was going to be trouble. The very best kind.

She laughed and extended her hand. “You just got yourself a new roomie, Chase. I’ll go get some paint swatches today.”

I wrapped my hand around hers, pleased at how well they fit together. “Welcome.”

“Awesome.”

CHAPTER TWO

Chase

On Sunday, I went to Stefano’s for a barbecue. I loved being included in the group. These men and women had become my family. My own had wanted little to do with me, and once my father and brother died, I was alone. That was until I’d gotten up the balls to apologize to Charly for my past behavior and she had taken me under her wing.

Now I had all of them. Maxx and Charly. Stefano, Gabby, Brett, and Kelly. Theo and the smaller kids. Brett’s dad, Mack, and Stefano’s mom, Rosa, had recently been married, and they were often at the barbecues or get-togethers. Mary and her new beau joined us on a regular basis. All of them I now considered my family.

I grabbed a beer and headed to the barbecue pit where Stefano and Brett were basting a huge roast beef, the smell enticing. We clinked bottles in silent hellos and watched Theo kicking a soccer ball with Mack and Thomas. Vivvy sat with her mom, occasionally investigating the game, toddling over to be closer, only to be led back by Theo, who always watched over her.

“How was the roommate search?”

I picked at the label on my bottle, trying to appear casual. “Some odd people out there. But I think I found a good one.”

“Well, there might be a problem,” Brett said with a frown.

“What?” I asked.

“Old Man Hyde called me last night. He was calling me back because I had left him a message about transferring the lease to your name only. But he said he thinks he’s going to sell the place.”

“Damn. Why?”

“He’s moving closer to be with his daughter. He doesn’t want the responsibility of being a landlord anymore, even though he says we were great tenants and he was sure you would carry that on.”