Page 22 of Brittle Heart

“I forgot who I was dealing with for a second there,” Clay shrugs. When I look back at him, I see Josh has joined him, walking toward my desk with another cup.

“I didn’t know what kind of tea you like, but I thought we couldn’t go wrong with black,” he says, smiling at me and placing it on my desk.

“Yeah, as black as your soul,” Clay chimes in with a snicker, and Josh glares in return.

Had I not perfected my poker face over the years, I would’ve smirked. But instead, I offer him a nonchalant glance before turning to Josh. “Thanks.”

“No worries. You’ll soon figure out that green tea is the key to a pleasant workday,” he says.

“So, how’d the info session go, boys? Learn anything interesting?” Sophia asks.

“Nah, same stuff as always. But I gotta say, I’m not a fan of the rookies. They’re getting bolder each year. One of them even shoved me aside on our way back. Back in our day, rookies respected their superiors,” Clay grumbles.

“Oh, are the kiddos not showing you respect, Clay?” Sophia asks with a sarcastic tone. “Try being Josh’s big sister and dealing with you three boys clinging to me all the fucking time during your teenage years.”

Clay just snorts. “Karen, seems like you’re in for a great day at work,” he says, looking at me.

I glance up from my computer, “Why, you’re leaving?”

He furrows his brows, “Well, yeah, but… what?”

Josh snickers, slapping Clay on the shoulder. “Let’s go before the ladies make a kebab out of you.”

CHAPTERELEVEN

Carolina

“Heads up!” I call out, tossing the still-warm burger to Howie.

He seems a bit surprised but catches it just fine. “Kid, it’s barely past six. What are you doing here?”

“No way, really? You’re getting old, Howie. I got fired,” I say, plopping down on the ground next to him.

“You brat. I know you got fired. I meant,whyare youhere? You don’t have a shift or any other place to be. Why aren’t you doing something fun? Like sleeping for once?” he asks, tearing open the burger wrapper and inhaling deeply. “Thanks.”

He’s shivering. The weather is getting colder and more blustery each day.

“Just wanted to see if you’re ready to head to the shelter with me tomorrow. Can we handle your stuff on our own, or should I ask Gloria if she can send some help?”

“No need to babysit me. And I’ll manage just fine with my Lamborghini,” he says.

I glance at the shopping cart that holds all his worldly possessions.

“All right, fine. But I’m coming with you, no questions. I wanna see you tucked into that bed with my own eyes,” I say, giving him a stern look.

“Sometimes I wonder if you realize I’m the adult here,” he grumbles.

“Hey, I’m an adult too!” I protest, taking a big bite of my burger.

He shrugs. “Barely.”

We finish our burgers in silence, and I clean up the wrappers. After a while, Howie breaks the silence. “How’re you doing, Lina?”

I huff. “I feel like I am mentally and emotionally hitting a brick wall.”

He scratches his beard. “You know, sometimes walls are there to lean on and rest for a bit.”

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