“We do. But Alex over here had to sell out.” Nate teased. I giggled a bit.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Well, we’ve all been on the force for the same amount of time. But I took the promotion exam and became a detective. The ceremony was actually earlier today.” Alex explained.
“Yeah. We just didn’t want that paperwork to deal with. I respond mostly to missing and exploited children cases, Nate has his own thing.” Max added.
I looked to Nate, hoping he would explain. He nodded, and his smile faded for about a millisecond.
“I have one of those TV worthy stories.”
“Really?” I looked at him.
I wanted to touch his hand so badly, but I wasn’t sure what to really do. I was attracted to them, all of them. And I didn’t understand it. I also didn’t know if they were all really into me. I mean, sometimes guys just like to be…guys, I guess. Sure, the sexual tension in the car could be shredded with a knife. But I didn’t want to make the wrong move and have them fighting with each other. How shallow of me. But I also had no idea how to…make a move, I suppose.
“Yeah. I was eighteen, stopping at the gas station to try and score beer. Anyway, the place was getting robbed and the owner got shot. I kind of hid out and called 911, more or less neutralizing the situation. But, now every time I go there, the owner gives me free beer.” He grinned like he wasn’t sure of himself, though I couldn’t imagine why.
“Wow. You saved his life.” Alex took another sharp turn, and Max punched him in the arm.
“Yeah, maybe. But, that’s enough about me. Any crazy story about being a nurse?”
“Uh, nope. Just kind of fell into it.” I lied. He gave me a look, but didn’t pry. I enjoyed them being so open, but I just wasn’t wired t
hat way.
“Tell us how you know about guns so well,” Alex asked. We were stuck in a traffic neck in the city.
“Um. My dad taught me. He was in the Army, so sometimes he forgot I wasn’t one of his troops.” They all gave me weird looks. “He wasn’t like, abusive or anything. I mean the cool stuff like shining shoes and pressure points.” I giggled slightly at the memory.
“That’s pretty sweet. Maybe that’s why we all got to be friends eh, dead beat dads?” Nate laughed.
“Probably so.” Alex sighed.
We were silent for a while. Not even the radio was on. But it was nice, the silence with them. Though it was weird, in a way.
“Um, are you guys really going to keep watch over me?” I asked cautiously.
“Yeah. Our shifts aren’t the same, so we can take turns. We don’t mind.” Alex answered.
“Okay. I just don’t want to impose. None of us really asked for all this. I was just walking my dog and all of a sudden, I’m in the middle of a James Patterson novel. Parker is all jumpy because he thinks he is working again.”
“Working?” Max asked.
“Oh. Yeah. He was a troop in Afghanistan. My good black Lab, Parker.” I smiled to myself. Damn, did I love that dog. I mean really; besides Dina and Martha, he was my only friend. A very loyal, good dog. They were hard to come by, but I appreciated it.
“That’s fucking cool, Rose. How did you happen to get him? If you don’t mind my asking,” Alex asked me.
“Parker was the only thing my dad had left to leave to me when he died. But Parker is kind of famous, in a way. Sometimes the guys from his old squad stop by and see him. I think I’ve dated at least all of them, kind of weird. I have no idea why I said that out loud.” I started laughing, but I realized it could have been my subconscious hinting that I was okay with…whatever I was feeling between the three of them.
“I like your candidness, people berate me for mine all the time.” Nate sighed like he was actually hurt, making me laugh. He was very funny.
And his hand was still burning a hole in my thigh. I wondered if he would be at all offended by me not touching his thigh back. Or touching him in some place.
“How old is Parker?” Max asked.
“Uh, I don’t really know. I never met him until…until he was given to me. I might ask the vet the next time I go. Do you guys have pets?”
“Besides women, no.” Nate deadpanned. I couldn’t hold back my gasp and I turned to look at him.