Page 58 of Keep Me Safe

He laughs, thanking me.

“Is that what I think it is?” Al asks, nodding toward the zucchini bread.

“Of course, what else would it be?”

We spend over an hour eating and reminiscing on the memories we’ve all made here before we’re interrupted by a call. Some guys head out to respond, and Jeff and Dave start cleaning up.

“Can I talk to you for a minute?” Al asks me.

“Of course,” I say, following him out of the room.

Al steps into his large office, gesturing for me to close the door. Papers cover his desk but in somewhat organized piles.

“Listen, boy,” he says, sitting in his chair. “Before I leave, I need to know that this place will be in good hands. I need to know that the person who takes my position will prioritize all these guy’s safety above all else.”

I nod, not entirely sure where he’s going with all of this. Of course, that’s what he would want in a new commissioner, but why is he talking to me about it?

“I think that person is you.”

I shake my head, a laugh escaping my lips.

“Thanks, Al. I’m flattered that you think I could do that, but you and I both know there has to be someone better for the position than me.”

“Don’t be an idiot. You’re perfect for it. I know you still beat yourself up over what happened a couple of years ago, but that wasn’t your fault. You deserve this position, and you deserve to let yourself be happy.”

“But–”

“At least think about it. There isn’t anyone else who would be better at this position than you.”

“I willthinkabout it, but I still don’t think I’m the best fit.”

“Well, Iknowyou are.”

Al stands up, disappearing out the door and leaving me to sit in my thoughts. There’s no way I can be the next commissioner. Al is the glue that keeps us all together, and I don’t know if I’m capable of that.

Heading back into the kitchen, I check to see if they need anyhelp cleaning up, but everything is back in its place, and Jeff is wiping down the counters.

“So, you the new boss yet?” Dave asks, teasing me as he pushes the chairs back into the table.

“No, why would you think that?”

“Whatever you say, commissioner.”

I roll my eyes, grab the empty plate that used to hold the zucchini bread, and head for the door.

The next morning, I wake up to music playing from somewhere downstairs. Kira. Part of me regrets not correcting her yesterday. The other night shouldn’t have happened, but it wasn’t a mistake either. I wanted that. I want her.

I run through my mental checklist for the day. We always have a big party for the fourth of July. This year is no exception. Thankfully, all the yard work is done, the lawn freshly mowed, and the garden beds cleaned up, so there isn’t much I have to do other than prep the food. Throwing on a pair of sweatpants, I head downstairs.

She must not hear me enter the room. She’s facing the counter with her back to me, her hair in a messy knot, tendrils of it falling onto her shoulders. The sun shines through the slider behind us, illuminating her body. She’s cutting up some pineapple, swaying to the music in one of her oversized t-shirts that barely covers her ass.

Wait a minute…is thatmyt-shirt?

I step toward her, trying to get a closer look. I recognize the old, worn Chevy logo.

That is my shirt.

As if sensing me behind her, she spins around to face me, the fear in her eyes quickly fading to relief, then irritation.

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