Page 83 of Mann Hunt
Once the lights were out, they snuggled in bed.
“I like having you over,” Carrie said. “Straight guys just don’t snuggle as well as you do.” After a few minutes of silence Carrie asked, “So, you and the detective… Nothing yet?”
“He gave me a kiss on the forehead last night when he put me to bed. Oh, and a sloppy wet kiss last week when he was drunk, if that counts.”
“Does it count with you?”
“Hell yeah,” he said, and the two of them broke into giggles.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Charlie had spent his first full day at Carrie’s doing laundry, practising driving his car and taking her out to brunch. Being out of his parents’ place had lifted the dark cloud that had hung over him since he’d moved back over a month ago. He knew he couldn’t live with Carrie forever, but until he could afford a place on his own, this would be perfect. But that was yesterday. Today his mood was decidedly different.
Charlie hadn’t slept well. He was excited about the chance to go undercover and prove himself to Declan. He snuck out of bed, careful not to wake Carrie. Charlie took a quick shower, got dressed in the living room and wolfed down a couple of pieces of cold pizza. Then he grabbed his car and headed off to work. He’d packed all of his clean gear and a few changes of clothes in the trunk the night before.
The trip in went smoothly. The skill of driving standard was coming back to him and he made it to the office just as Gwen was unlocking the door to her café.
“The usual for you?” she asked as she made her way towards the counter.
“You bet.” Charlie had a huge grin on his face.
From behind the counter Gwen said, “You seem pretty cheery this morning.”
“It’s a brand-new week, new adventures await,” Charlie said as he propped himself on the back of a chair. “And, I moved in with a friend of mine—”
“Oh?” Gwen said, arching her eyebrows. “Do I sense a hint of romance?”
“Nothing like that,” Charlie said. “Carrie and I have been friends forever.”
“Well, congratulations anyway.”
Gwen finished frothing the milk for his order and passed over a cup and a small bag.
Charlie took his latte and pastry and headed up to the office.
He stopped at the street-level door. His stomach was filled with butterflies. Last time he’d been undercover it hadn’t gone so well. Charlie took a deep breath and walked up the stairs.
Declan was sitting at the desk in his office. He stood as Charlie entered. Rather than his usual well-fitting clothes, Declan was wearing worn jeans and a plain work shirt. Charlie, on the other hand, had dressed in a shirt, tie and his newest pair of khakis.
“Should I be more dressed like—” he said, pointing to Declan’s clothing.
“No. You’re perfect. You’re dressed to impress, which is what you’re trying to do. I, on the other hand, want to blend in.”
“So, you’re coming with me?” Charlie asked hopefully.
“Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Charlie was relieved. He’d been nervous about taking this on alone.
“Here’s the plan,” Declan said. “Your job is to go up there and try your hardest to get on the team. You’re an eager eighteen-year-old who wants nothing more than to play hockey and make it into the NHL. You’ve heard players on the Axemen get scouted and go up to the big leagues.”
Charlie nodded then asked, “So, what’s my cover name?”
“The best name ever. You’ll be Charlie Watts,” Declan replied with a grin.
“Well, that’s no fun.”
“You’ll be playing yourself, only a little younger. Okay?”
