Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“Tell me again why we’re here?”
“Because you finally decided to stop stalking your waiter.” Raoul’s tone was teasing but it still poked at all the fresh bruises.
“No, I mean, why here? This place is awful.”
“Marie’s friend’s husband recommended it. It’s not that bad.”
“If you like stinky cheese, artisanal breads and aged balsamic.”
“You’re telling me you don’t?”
“No, I don’t. I just want a regular grilled chicken sandwich with regular American cheese and regular mayo.”
“Well, too bad. Today you’ll have the turkey melt with caramelized onions, spicy pumpkin mayo and Muenster cheese.”
“Why don’t you just kill me and get it over with?” He slapped the menu on the table and sat back in his chair.
“You’ll thank me later.”
“Doubtful.”
“If you don’t like it, I’ll cover lunch for the rest of the week and you can choose where we eat next time. Anywhere except Sal’s.”
“Make it two weeks and you have a deal.”
Raoul stuck out his hand and Connelly shook it. “Now will you stop being such a grumpy bastard?”
“Sorry.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Off my game since we closed the drug case. I need a new puzzle.”
“Come on, brother, don’t lie to me.”
Connelly met his friend’s understanding eyes. “You didn’t like him.”
“That’s not true.”
“You thought he was trouble.”
“Yeah, and he was. Look at what happened.”
“Raoul, I love you but you’ve got it all wrong. He isn’t trouble, he was in trouble, there’s a difference. He never asked for my help because he’s fiercely independent. It was me who messed up. I treated him like I treat everyone else.”
“You did the right thing. If you hadn’t stepped up, that asshole would still be taking advantage of people. He’d still be selling drugs and molesting underage boys.”
“I could have done it differently. I should have. I can’t keep on like this.”
“I don’t get it, man. The bad guy is behind bars, you should be proud of yourself.”
“But I lost him. I lost Azariah.” Connelly’s voice hitched and he quickly swallowed the lump in his throat as he diverted his eyes.
“Shit,” Raoul said. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were that serious about him.”
“I was—am. But now it’s too late.”
“Fuck that.”
“You didn’t see the look in his eyes. In his mind, I betrayed him and he’s not the kind of person who’d let that go.” That was part of what Connelly loved about Azariah, his stubbornness. His pride.
“I always start with an apology.”
“I doubt you’ve ever screwed up this bad.”
“True, I’m an angel in comparison.”
“I have apologized. He’s ignored all my calls. He’s moving.”
“Wow, that boy is really doing his best to avoid you, isn’t he? I’m kind of impressed.”
“Shut up.”
Just then Connelly’s phone rang. Caller ID showed Janie’s name, so, with a grimace, he picked up. Across the table, Raoul rolled his eyes.
“Hi, Janie.”
“Con, it’s horrible. Someone slashed my tires and smashed my windows. The car is a mess and I need to get to work. What am I gonna do?”
Connelly sucked in a deep breath and closed his eyes. “Janie, get a hold of yourself.” He used his cop voice, the one that Azariah had been so fond of. It worked. Janie quieted. “There’s no need to panic. You have insurance, right?”
“Yeah.”
“When you hang up with me you’re going to call the police to file a report. Then call your insurance company and start your claim. Then you should take photos of the car and make sure nothing was stolen. If any of your credit cards or personal information was taken, you’ll need to call the bank. You can do this.”
“But I’ve got to get to work.”
“Call your boss and tell him you’ll be late, and when you’re done taking care of everything you can take a cab to work.”
“He’s going to fire me. Can’t you come and deal with it?”
“Janie.” Connelly pinched the bridge of his nose, gathering his resolution. “I love you and I will always be here to help you, but you need to try dealing with things on your own. Otherwise you’ll never believe you can, and what kind of example is that for your boys? Do you want them growing up thinking women need men to take care of them?”
Her voice was small when she replied, “No.”
“I know you can do it. You just need to trust yourself.”
“Can I call you if I have questions?”
“Of course you can.”
Connelly heard her take a deep breath. “Okay. Okay. I’ve got this.”
“That’s my girl.” He hung up and his shoulders slumped in relief.
“Proud of you, partner.”
“It needed to be done.”
“Long time coming.” His head tilted. “Azariah has been good for you after all. I guess I was wrong about him.”
“You were. But so was I. I just hope it’s not too late to make it right.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
“Oh my God, Z.” Becca wrapped her slender arms around him and squeezed. “I missed you so much. No one would play Battle Tips with me while you were gone.”