“So him acting like that around you, it was . . . “
“Like siblings might be. You know, how a big brother might act towards a younger sister he had to take care of.”
“Right.” She had six older brothers, but she didn’t see them much anymore. They were all so busy.
Except, she was the one always turning down their offers to come stay with them, wasn’t she?
“Then you don’t care that I kissed him? I didn’t have to be so scared to tell you?”
“Now, I wouldn’t go that far. I’m not sure I’m down with my best friend and my brother getting together. What if you break up? Where does that leave me? I’d be forced to take sides. I mean, obviously, I’d take your side. Because, you know, he’s got a dick.”
“We’re not . . . I mean, there is nothing . . . “ Well, there was definitely nothing after the way she’d acted today. She groaned. “I thought he was with you. I was kind of . . . rude.”
Kiesha’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I wouldn’t worry, he’ll forgive you as soon as you explain what’s going on.”
“Oh no. Nope. I never intend to see Ed Granger ever again.”
Kiesha just smiled.
5
Ed stood and stretched.
He should have gone home hours ago, but he was one deputy down since Steven was out with t
he flu. He hoped like hell that it didn’t go around the station. That was the last thing he needed.
But now he was ready for a shower and bed.
Jesus, when did he become such an old man? It was barely twelve and he was ready to turn in. As he walked through the main area, Wendy took an incoming call.
“Sheriff’s office, what’s the problem?”
Ed grimaced at her greeting. But Wendy was at least eighty, chain-smoked, and was a law unto herself. Between Kiesha during the day driving him nuts and Wendy at night it was a wonder he wasn’t completely gray.
“Really? A brawl? Got it, I’ll let the sheriff know.” Wendy ended the call.
“A brawl?” he asked tiredly.
“Yep, at the Wishing Well.”
The Wishing Well? That was usually a pretty quiet spot. His heart started to race. “Wait, what night is it?”
“Friday. Trivia Night,” Wendy said with far too much relish.
He groaned. “What are the odds Kiesha and her girls went home early?”
“I’d say slim to none.”
Yeah, that’s what he’d thought. “Send Jace and Jimmy to back me up.”
“Already on it, sheriff. Have fun!”
Fun. Right.