Page 33 of Stella
Interesting choice of words. NotGirlfriend.Nota woman in my life.Not aplaything.
I don’t have anyone.
For some reason, sadness falls between us, and I want to know more about him and his life. Where did he grow up? How did he know he wanted to be a cop? What are his parents like?
Then, without me having to say anything, he adds; “Actually, that’s not true. I have my grandparents. They raised me.”
This is an interesting development. “What happened to your parents?”
“Never knew my dad, and my mom died when I was a kid.”
I press a hand to my heart. “I’m sorry, shit, I didn’t mean to?—”
He waves a hand at me. “Don’t be sorry. I didn’t know her. My grandparents did an amazing job after I was temporarily in foster care. I’ve nothing to complain about.”
I rest my head back against the headrest, wishing I really hadn’t had that last cocktail. I’m not gonna puke, but I don’t think I’ll be drinking again in a hurry. I don’t know why, but when I’ve had a lot to drink, I always start to think about my mom. It’s been years since she left. I remember Dad sitting us down telling us Mom wasn’t coming back. I didn’t understand until much later that she didn’t want to be found. She never wanted to see or talk to us again. Dad never once talked bad about her, even when I found out my mother was a cheater and a liar. We were all just an inconvenience to her. My dad may not be perfect, but he’s not a bad person. I have so much much respect for him as a father, and as a man. He stepped up when he had to, when his own heart was breaking, and for that I’ll never forgive her. Kai was always a momma’s boy, and that’s what broke me the most.
“They did a pretty good job,” I yawn, snapping out of my reverie.
“You sure?”
I close my eyes just for a second. “Yep.” I pop the ‘p’. “You’re not so bad. Maybe being out of uniform a little more suits you?”
I can’t be sure, but I think I hear him mutter; “Don’t count on it.”
In no time at all, Cale is gently shaking me awake. I must have dozed off for a second or two. Drinking makes me really freaking tired. “We’re here already?”
I see a bag of food next to me and realize he must’ve gone to the drive-through while I slept. He picks up the unmistakable sight of a slushie cup, and I smile to myself as he passes it to me. “You got me food and a slushie?”
“You said you were hungry.”
“You really are door-to-door service with a smile,” I laugh.
“I’m gonna walk you to your door.”
“Give me your cell number.”
He pops an eyebrow. “Subtle.”
“So I can text you when I get inside, because I know you’re not going to leave or let up until you know I’m safely tucked away in bed.”
He blinks once, then holds out his palm. “Give me your cell, I’ll put my number in.”
“Good thinking.” I pull out my phone from the waistband of my skirt and then hand it to him. “No peeking at my texts.”
He shakes his head subtly. I’m sure Detective Cale Callaghan has a million better things to do than check out my texts to Anshul and Cait, asking what outfit to wear to tonight’s party. “I think I can restrain myself.”
“I went to a strip club,” I blurt out.
He stops what he’s doing and stares at me. “Where?”
“XXL.” I swat him on the arm. “Don’t worry your pretty little cotton socks over it. It was just Bandit from the club, and a few others doing a show. Though, I’m sure some of them shove socks down the front of their briefs.”
Oh, I’m sure he knows XXL and The Vault, because the cops are always trying to bust into the club to arrest someone for doing illegal stuff. There’s no sex on the property, so it’s strictly just dancing, but try as they might, the cops can’t wait to make an arrest.
His lips quirk. “I’d bet money on it.” When he’s finished, he hands my cell back to me, and his phone vibrates a few seconds later. He just texted himself. “Now you have my cell if you need it, for emergencies.”
“Uh, huh.” I feel like doing a little jig, because getting Cale’s number was easier than I thought.
