Page 16 of Fighting for Tawny

On their way to the LBPD, Finnigan checked in with Commander Mattox. “Our asset is safe, sir. I’d like permission to stay in LB until SAC Cofield is finished with her interrogation.”

“You’re still on duty, Sergeant Finnigan, and I need you and Macklin back in LA, along with the rest of the team. With Lieutenant McQuaid confined to bedrest at Cedar-Sinai until she delivers, we’re shorthanded. In fact, I’m considering promoting a couple of officers from second squad to first squad.”

Finnigan glanced at Macklin, who said, “You heard the Commander.”

Being left out of the loop irked Finnigan, but he obediently replied, “We’re on our way, sir.”

Full of adrenaline and excess energy due to a long, stressful day, Finnigan worked out with a few fellow SWAT officers in the gym. Afterward, they headed to Vinny’s for beer and barbecue. Vinny’s was a popular spot for law enforcement, and he always served them himself, sometimes offering their meal on the house. Tonight, he brought them platters of his smoked ribs, so tender that the meat fell off the bones. Tangy baked beans and potato salad accompanied the ribs. The SWAT brothers laughed and bantered with each other and took great pleasure in teasing Finnigan for his melancholy mood.

“Come on, Finn, lighten up. Where’s that snarky attitude we know and love so much?”

“Not tonight, guys. Just let me get drunk and make sure I get home in one piece.” Finnigan tossed his car keys on the table.

His buddies stopped teasing him. Though Finnigan could have drunk more than one pitcher of beer in his current frame of mind, they cut him off when he laughed too loudly and slurred his words.

“Time to call it quits, Finn.” Macklin wrapped an arm around his waist and hauled him to his feet. “Where shall I drive you?”

“Home. To Laguna Beach. To Tawny.”

Macklin shook his head and addressed one of the guys. “Drive Finn’s car to my apartment. He can crash with me tonight.”

“You’re a real pal, Mack. Don’t you want to see, what’s-her-name? Jade…Jadah…Jane? I forget.” Finnigan grinned. He tried to slap Macklin across the back, missed, and lost his balance. “Oops.” He let out an embarrassed chuckle.

“It’s Jadah. And, no, she’s in Miami at an art show. Let’s get you home, big guy, before you say or do something stupid. And please don’t vomit in my car.”

When they arrived at Macklin’s apartment, Finnigan passed out as soon as he threw himself across the bed in the guest room.

The pungent aroma of coffee and bacon and eggs teased Finnigan awake in the morning. Light stabbed his eyes, and he groaned. Though hungry, his stomach rebelled at the smell of food. Sour bile rose in his throat, and he gagged. Finnigan stumbled into the guest bathroom just in time to kneel in front of the toilet and throw up. After he emptied his stomach and his bladder, he stripped and stood beneath a gentle rainfall of cold water to ward off the effects of his hangover. It somewhat revived him, but his head and eyes ached. He found clean clothes in a dresser from previous overnight stays with Macklin, pulled them on, then joined his best friend in the kitchen.

Macklin handed Finnigan a cup of coffee and two Tylenol tablets, which he swallowed with a glass of water. “Thanks, man.” He plopped into a chair at the kitchen table.

“Feel like eating?”

“Yeah.” Finnigan helped himself to a plate of bacon and eggs and reached for two slices of buttered toast. He smeared grape jelly on both and bit into the bread. “Hey, I, uh, didn’t do anything crazy last night, did I?”

“No. You were a perfect drunk. Funny and obnoxious.”

“I can’t tell if you’re joking or if you’re serious.”

Macklin grinned and brandished his fork. “A little bit of both.”

“Okay. As long as I didn’t pick a fight with some burly dude and get my face smashed. I can’t remember a thing.”

“You needed to let loose, and there’s no way we would have let you get your face smashed by some burly dude. It’s too pretty.”

“Aw… So glad you think so. By the way, where’s my car?”

“Henley drove it here.”

“That’s good. Sorry to impose on you like this.”

“You’re not imposing on me.” Macklin swallowed the last forkful of his eggs and carried his plate to the sink. “I have plans with my family today, Finn, but you’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”

“Nah. I’ll head home.”

Finnigan grabbed his dirty clothes, and the friends headed outside together. In the parking lot they shook hands.

“See you Monday, Finn. Take care of yourself.”

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