Page 39 of Catch
With Easton’s pause, I realized that the music that was playing softly on the radio had switched to one of Loxley’s songs, and her sweet voice was filtering through the car. The sound of a familiar tune played, and it happened to be one of my favorites of hers.
“She’s canceled more shows. Jesse’s heartbroken,” Easton finally said.
I tried to keep my voice neutral, but the words came out way too defensive. “I’m sure she’s not trying to break anyone’s heart.”
Thankfully, Easton didn’t seem to notice. “Jesse’s just a big fan. She’s been obsessed since that night at the music festival. Wants to relive the moment we fell in love, among other things.” He wiggled his eyebrows, and I rolled my eyes. I could barely comprehend what Easton and Jesse did to the sound of Lox’s voice.
As if the conversation wasn’t already torturous, the radio DJ chimed in as the song went off. “That was one of my favorite Loxley Adams songs, one of just two on her album that she is credited with writing. Also, where is Loxley Adams? More shows have been canceled, and there is still no sign of her return to the stage. Loxley, if you’re listening, get well soon!”
“You and Loxley Adams?” Easton asked, making me once again choke over my words and shake my head in denial.
“What?”
“You both must have the same sickness,” Easton smirked. “You didn’t finish your food. You’re not going fishing with Gramps. You’re not making it to Sunday dinner. Did you forget how sick you were?”
For fuck’s sake, Easton was laughing while I was having an internal panic attack over the fact that I thought he somehow knew that not only was Loxley at my house, but I was falling for her. One day, I intended to tell him, and everyone else the truth, but I sure as hell hadn’t wanted it to be then and there. Not while Lox was still asking me to keep her secret.
“You idiot," I laughed, hoping it covered my initial reaction. “I’m not kidding when I said Captain has me doing something, and as soon as I’m done doing it, I’ll let you know.”
Just then, the dispatcher at the station started chiming in on the radio attached to my uniform. I sighed in frustration, already knowing that she was calling about the Murphy Brothers. They were undoubtedly back at Fiddlers, and I was being called to once again kick them out.
Easton was laughing as he listened in because he knew how much I hated that damn call. He knew how much I wished they'd permanently kick those two out of the bar.
“I better get over there. Do you wanna ride with me?”
“Nope,” he laughed. “I’m gonna go let you do your police work and I’ll stay here and wait on a fire.”
He climbed out of the car and gave me a small salute before tucking his hands into his pockets and walking back towards the station. I put my car in drive and pulled out onto the main road, heading north.
Fiddlers sat on the edge of town not far from where I pulled Loxley over. It was the only bar in town which was both ablessing and a curse. With it being on the main highway, lots of people traveled through, so there was always someone new at Fiddlers. It was a fun place to hang out most of the time.
Easton and I used to find ourselves there once a week before he met Jesse. Most nights we enjoyed the atmosphere and the company that we found.
As I pulled into the lot, I noted that there were only a couple of cars, which made sense considering it was a weekday, and not even five o’clock. The crowds didn’t usually get bad until after eight in the evening, but the Murphy brothers always arrived when they knew Blue was working the bar.
When I walked in, I looked directly at the poor bartender, and she nodded toward the corner. Blue had both relief, and an apology, written all over her face. She was happy she was no longer alone, but she hated that she had to call me all the time.
“Come on guys,” I waved them over as if I were tired and uninterested. Which I was. I hated the fact that I was required to drive them home like some glorified taxi driver. I used to make them sleep it off in a cell, especially when they got destructive, but the owner never filed charges, and their petty shit wasn’t enough for anyone else to care about. As long as they didn’t get behind the wheel of a car, all was forgotten.
But not for Blue and me, who were the only people that seemed to have to deal with them regularly.
The good news was that I wasn’t the only one that wasn’t shocked anymore. They knew the bartender was gonna call the station and they knew I was gonna show up. So they didn’t argue or put up a fight. They just laughed while they walked out and got in the back seat of my car.
Knowing they were secure for a second, I walked back into the bar and approached Blue, who had been a bartender at Fiddlers for the last couple of years. She hadn’t grown up in Harmony Haven, but was from the next town over. Easton and Ihad gotten to know her a little, but I wouldn’t go as far as saying we were friends. There wasn’t much I knew about her other than she worked hard, and took care of her dad.
“When are you gonna leave this dump?” I smiled at her, tucking my thumbs into the belt of my uniform.
“You know I’m stuck here,” she sighed as she continued to wipe down the bar.
“You called me early.” I nodded towards the door, indicating that I was talking about the Murphy Brothers. “They didn’t look as drunk as they normally do when I get here.”
“I didn’t have time for them today.” She had grit in her voice and put her hands on her hips. “You and I both get off at four today. Let’s not wait until the last minute and let’s just get them out of here.”
“How do you know what time I get off?”
“Just take them home,” she laughed. “This isn’t our first rodeo,and you know it.”
“Yes ma’am,” I winked at her, turning on my heel to head out. I had to admit I appreciated her efficiency when handling that problem of ours, because I was ready to get home myself.
