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The joys of being on call.
Crime didn’t stop just because your family was enjoying a turkey dinner.
Sydney walked around to the back of her SUV and released the back door, pulling it up to reveal the small trunk space. One of the seats was folded down, making room for the stroller, and the other was occupied by a booster seat. There wasn’t currently room for my suitcase, and I doubted it would fit behind the front driver and passenger seats.
“I forgot to take out the stroller,” Sydney stated. “One second, I have to rearrange the seats and we’ll be able to get your man bag in here.”
I chuckled, slowly starting to feel more and more like myself the further the clock ticked away from my being in Salt Lake City. “What man bag?” I said with faux scorn. “I have a backpack and a suitcase.”
“…which is nicer than Caleb’s.” She nodded a few times, still at task. “And Cael has a nice, team-issued one, mind you.”
If I wasn’t going to spend my money on my digs, I didn’t see the issue with buying a nice set of luggage nor nicer clothes.
I looked down to my Polo loafers. Or spending my money on nicer shoes.
There was no sense arguing with Syd over it, so I chose to keep my grinning mouth shut. Instead, I watched as she climbed up into the trunk to uninstall the booster seat in the back. I’d give her a hand but I wouldn’t have a clue as to what to do. I couldn’t help but grin though as I watched her.
My sister was a tiny woman but she had a pretty big personality. Something that I thought once got lost, but her marrying Caleb definitely brought it back out again.
“Where are the kids?” I asked, reaching for the now freed seat as she finagled herself back out of the trunk and pushed some magic button that caused the seat to fold down on its own.
“With Grace.”
I thought I heard a smile in her voice, but I couldn’t be certain with her face turned down.
It wouldn’t be the first time she tried to get Grace and me together. I was pretty sure she was clueless that her friend and I slept together once. At her wedding, nonetheless.
Once the seat was completely lowered, I lifted my suitcase into the back, opening it immediately to pull out my gun case. I unlocked it and pulled out my disassembled Glock. With practiced ease, I put the gun back together and holstered it at my hip before repacking my bags. I caught Sydney watching me from the side of my eye. She stopped asking me to not wear my gun a few years ago.
After all was set, I rearranged the back with my suitcase and the booster seat, closing the trunk with yet another button.
So many buttons on this monstrosity of a sport utility vehicle.
“Ready?” Sydney asked.
I nodded, moving to the passenger side as she slid into the driver’s seat. No sooner than I buckled, my sister brought up her friend again.
Our friend, really.
“Grace and I were at coffee last night when Caleb told me you were coming. I asked her to come pick you up with me, but she declined.” She checked over her shoulder and eased into drive, heading toward her and Caleb’s La Jolla home. “I swear; you two are so fun together. You should give it a shot.” She glanced at me quickly with a small smile. “She’d be so good for you, Soy.”
“She’s here, I’m there… It wouldn’t work out, Sydney.” I kept my gaze forward. “Besides, she’s dating that dou—guy.”
“His name is Jeremy.” I could hear a laugh in her voice. “And she dumped him.”
Huh.
Well that was news.
Grace didn’t tell me.
Then again, I hadn’t exactly been reaching out to her lately, either.
When I didn’t respond, Sydney cleared her throat, trying to get some sort of response from me, I was sure. “How’s life adjusting to a third kid?” I asked instead. “I hear that once you hit three, it’s smooth sailing.”
Sydney shook her head. “Changing the subject, huh? I’ve got your number, Sawyer Ryan.”
“Kids?” I repeated, looking over at her. Yeah, I was avoiding her statement about Grace.
