Page 61 of Something New

“Would you stop being so goddamn vague and annoying? I was giving you til the end of the month to ask her to marry you and move in with her. Then I’d be forced to be the reasonable one and talk you off of that ledge. What the hell happened? And don’t bullshit me either. I know how into her you were.”

“You’re right about one thing. I was into her. Hell, I think I even loved her. But I don’t think she felt anywhere near the same for me.” I shake my head, feeling so pathetic and stupid for letting my guard down and not following my instincts. “Always go with your first instinct. From past run-ins with her mother, I should have known starting up anything with Lexi Grayson would be nothing but trouble.”

“I’m confused because I’ve been around you when you’re together and when she’s not with you and it’s not the same. She looks at you with those cartoon heart eyes. She’s more affectionate with you than I’ve seen her with anyone besides her brothers. Even at work when you’re not around all anyone needs to do is mention your name and the girl lights up like a Christmas tree. If that’s not some type of love or genuine feelings for you…I don’t know what is. Did you do something to fuck up like arrest one of her brothers? I wouldn’t be surprised after hanging with the little knuckleheads, especially Drew.”

“I didn’t arrest anyone related to her, lately. But I might have to if I keep digging and looking for shit I don’t want to find out.”

“Again!?” He sits forward sighing in his frustration. “Clarify, what the fuck are you talking about?”

“I saw Lexi coming out of a club with a guy the same night she told me she couldn’t see me because Shauna was coming over to help cheer her up after her grandfather's stroke.”

“And…”

“What the hell do you mean and!” I jerk out of the couch, almost crushing the empty beer can.

“I mean, maybe Shauna took her out to take her mind off her grandfather. That’s some heavy stuff to deal with. Sometimes drinking is the distraction you need.” He looks pointedly at the dented can in my hand.

“Nope. I asked her about it. And she lied.” I turn around, feeling disgusted at the thought of that argument again. I walk behind the couch and pace in a straight line to the door and back.

“I’ve known Lexi for a while and we’ve worked together a lot. She doesn’t seem like the lying type to me. At least maybe not without a reason.”

“You’re saying I’m a shit for all cop that can’t tell when the person he’s involved with is lying?” I briefly stop pacing and look at him incredulously.

“Calm down. When did you get so touchy? I’m just trying to figure out what’s happened from the little I know, sheesh.”

“Sorry. It’s been a rough two weeks.”

“Sure. So you confronted her and called her on her lie, and what happened next?”

“Before that, I basically told her how much I cared about her and wanted her to meet Dad and Carla. She said we were getting too serious. And from what I already knew—but she didn’t know I knew because I followed her to the club that night, I was angry and I wanted answers. Because I was telling her I wanted a real relationship with all the ups and downs which includes me helping her out of whatever problem or troubles she had, and she rejected me, like all these weeks we spent together weren’t even worth considering something more serious.”

“Mmm.” He nods his head

“Mmm, what?” I stop again and look at him, hand grasping the back of the couch.

“So your feelings were hurt because she rejected the idea of you swooping in to solve all her problems?”

“Please, she wouldn’t even admit to anything. I did some asking around and found out some stuff about the club she was coming out of.”

“What club?”

“The Vibe. It’s not far from the interstate.”

“I know that place,” he says with a fond smile. “I’ve been there before but it’s been a while. Maybe a year and a half ago.”

“So you know what goes on there and you see why I would be upset?”

“I didn’t say anything goes on there,Officer.” He crosses his hand over his chest. “But if I’m talking to my brother we might be able to have a more open conversation off the record.” His brow raises, staring at me.

I let out a long breath and nod. After all, I’m not working a case here. And I have no interest in doing so. “Fine.”

“First off, I’m going to let you know life is full of happy endings, and inthere,if you’re looking for it, you can have it. That’s all there is. Do you get what I’m saying?Happy endings…” He drags the words out.

“Huh.” I scoff.

“Second, did Lexi admit anything?”

“That’s the problem, she didn’t admit, and most telling—deny anything. I got my answers from what I saw. The guy with his hand on her back kissing her, why was she there in the first place when she should have been at home!” I run my hands through my hair so hard my nails dig into my scalp.

---