Page 35 of Wreck Me
“I was going to call you today,” she said by way of greeting.
Nate’s chuckle was deep on the other end. “Yeah, sure.”
“I was. I promise.”
“How’s my favorite sister?”
“You mean your only sister? I’m fine. Taking a walk in town before I have to head into work.”
“Yeah, so tell me about that. You mentioned you were working in your last text. Why?”
“Well, Nate. I need money and—”
“Done. I can have Sharon send money to you.”
“No!” She gripped the phone tightly. “Nate, do not send me more money. I mean it. Besides, I’m working at a local bar and grill type place. Serving and bartending. This is good practice for when I get down there.”
“Yeah, but you were a damn good bartender. Come on, we’ve been through this. You didn’t work in those high society places for nothing. You’ll be fine.”
“I know, but I’ve been out of the game for a while. Use it or lose it and all.” She settled back against the bench and huddled up under her sweater when the breeze blew. “The girl who’s training me is amazing. She’s young, but I can see her running the place one day. Smart, energetic.”
“Something you’re not telling me, Meg-pie?” The use of the nickname he gave her a lifetime ago made her smile.
“Not at all.”
“Okay, just making sure. Getting a job, telling me about your trainer that sounds like someone I should hire. I miss you and I’m looking forward to having you around.”
Megan laughed. “Yeah, for about a week and then you’ll be asking me when I’m moving out.”
He joined in her laughter. “You’re right,” he said without shame. “But that’s what I wanted to tell you. The guest house is done. So when you get here, we can just move you straight in there.”
Megan sat up straighter. “Are you serious? I thought you were putting that off for another year.”
“Well, I was. But then I decided that I would be exactly the way you said. I like my space, especially when I come off the road or during the off-season. I like to be able to rant like an animal without anyone seeing that when we have a shitty road trip or lose the playoffs prematurely.”
“Well, okay. Thank you, Nate. That’s amazing.” She bounced in her seat. “I can’t wait to get there. I miss you too. And I’m ready to move forward with my life.”
Her gaze wandered over to the building where Aidan was probably doing official law enforcement things. In spite of her excitement, her chest tingled with dread at the thought of leaving when the time came.
But this wasn’t her destination. It never had been. She just needed to enjoy the time while she was here.
“Nate, there is something I want to talk to you about.”
“Sounds serious.”
“Well, I don’t know. Maybe. But I need some advice.”
“Okay, well…shit. I can’t right now. I’ve got a meeting with my agent. But I’ll call you back later. Will that work? Or do I need to push my meeting? Because I can.”
“No. No, of course not. It’s not pressing. And I’m not even sure I know what I want to say just yet. So I’ll call you later.”
“Okay. Love you, Meg-pie.”
“Love you too.”
Taking a couple of deep breaths, she stood and walked the rest of the way to the station. Once inside, it didn’t look anything like what she saw on TV.
There were no handcuffed criminals screaming about how they were innocent or the requisite hooker that was on some shows. There was no crazy, constant phone ringing. With the exception of the police scanner that sat on one of the desks behind the front counter that chattered away, it could have been any sort of office. Any sort of office that smelled like mildew, old coffee, and hadn’t been updated since the eighties. Complete with wood paneling.
