Page 51 of The Rookie's Second Chance

"You can talk to me, you know," I offered, keeping my tone neutral. "I might not be a detective, but I'm not bad at listening."

He gave me a half-smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I appreciate it, Mandy. Really."

We settled into silence, the noise from the TV filling the room. Part of me wanted to press, to ask more about Kayla, about him, about us—whatever the hell 'us' might be. But I held back.

This was a game of patience, and I was playing the long game. I'd be the friend, the support, the easy company. And maybe, just maybe, when he was ready to look around, to really see who was there for him, he'd realize what he'd been missing.

But as I watched him sitting there, his mind clearly a million miles away, part of me wondered if I was fooling myself. If maybe, no matter what I did, I'd always be second to the ghost of a woman who wasn't even in the room.

I shook the thought away, focusing on the game, on the moment. This was my chance to show Jake I was here for him, in whatever capacity he needed. If it was just friendship he wanted, then that's what I'd give him. And if the cards played out right, maybe one day it would be more.

"Mandy, did you know a guy in college named Garrett?"

I froze, pizza slice halfway to my mouth, and lowered it slowly. Garrett. Of all the things for Jake to bring up now. It felt like the universe was playing some sick joke, echoing my thoughts back at me through him. I stalled, playing for time. "Garrett? Why do you ask?"

Jake was frowning, running a hand through his hair in that way he did when he was working something out. "There were some... incidents... with Garrett a few years back."

My mind was racing. Incidents. What the hell did he know? I had to tread carefully. "Oh, Garrett?" I said, feigning a casual tone. "Yeah, he dated Lexi for a bit. Then one day, poof, ghosted her completely. Just up and left."

Jake's eyes narrowed, a detective through and through. "What did you think of him?"

I took a sip of beer, buying a second to gather my thoughts. "He was cute, you know? Great smile, great hair." I shrugged. "But I realized pretty fast he wasn't good enough for Lexi. Not by a long shot."

Jake was studying me now, and I could almost see the gears turning behind those eyes. "How so?" he pressed.

I sighed, setting my beer down. This was it, my chance to show Jake I was on his side, that I got it. "Honestly, Jake, no one at that school was good enough for her. Not really. No wonder she came back here to find someone."

He paused, and I could tell he was digesting what I'd said. There was something more he wanted, I could feel it. But he didn't push further, just nodded slowly, a silent acknowledgment that he'd heard me. And in that moment, I felt a rush of victory, however small.

I watched him, this man I was so damn drawn to, and I couldn't help the flicker of hope that flared in my chest. Maybe, just maybe, I could be the one he turned to, the one who helped him through all this shit.

I leaned back, watching Jake's furrowed brow as he grappled with whatever emotions the name Garrett dredged up. "Do you think Garrett could be Lexi's stalker?" I tossed the question into the room like a live grenade, watching it land in the space between us.

Jake's posture tensed, his eyes going distant. "That would be tough," he finally said, the words heavy with something unspoken.

"Why's that?" My curiosity was a wild thing, clawing at the edges of my restraint.

He hesitated, and I could almost see the internal debate. "Well," Jake started, "no one's heard from him in so long. He's like a ghost."

I nodded slowly, digesting this. No leads there, then. "I don't have any other ideas," I admitted, "but I'll answer any questions you have."

Jake eyed me for a moment before throwing his next card on the table. "Does The Vault mean anything to you?" His voice was steady, but I could tell he was fishing in dark waters.

I froze. The Vault. Those secret meetings that were part of a college experience I'd tried to leave behind. I didn't say anything, just let the silence stretch a beat too long, memories of whispered conversations and Lexi's excited face as we joined that ridiculous club together flooding back. I played it cool, though, and kept my voice even.

"Why are you asking?"

"It might help me find Lexi's stalker," he said, his voice like gravel, all detective and no play.

I considered how much to reveal. The Vault had been a bit of a joke to me, a way to pad the resume with some extracurriculars. But for some, it was no laughing matter. "It was an academic club that treated itself like a secret society," I explained, choosing my words carefully. "And yeah, a handful of people took it way too seriously."

As I watched him stand up, stretching his tall frame, I felt a surge of protectiveness. He was out there alone, trying to untangle this mess. And here I was, sitting on information that could help. I bit my lip, contemplating.

"Jake," I said, and he turned back to me, a question in his eyes. "If there's anything I remember that might help, you'll be the first to know."

He nodded, a ghost of a smile touching his lips. "Thanks, Mandy. I appreciate it."

The next day, I found myself pacing the length of my room, phone in hand, debating the kind of flowers that screamed 'I care' without crossing into 'I'm desperate.' It was a fine line, and hell, I was treading it like a tightrope walker. With a decisive tap, I chose a bright assortment of blooms, nothing romantic but cheerful enough to maybe, just maybe, lift Kayla’s spirits and catch Jake's eye.

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