by Stella Bixby
“If he doesn’t have plans, invite him to dinner. He’s welcome even if you’re not here.”
“I’ll make sure to do that.” Sometimes I thought my mother liked Garrett more than I did. But she also liked Luke.
“Tonight. Ask him tonight.”
“Okay. I’ll ask him tonight.”
“It’s only a week away. He’s probably wondering why you haven’t brought it up.”
“He hasn’t either,” I said defensively. “We didn’t spend Thanksgiving together.”
“You weren’t practically living together in November.” She raised her eyebrows and smiled.
“We’re not living together.”
“Oh, I know you’re not officially.” She did air quotes with her fingers. “All of your stuff still lives in our basement. But it’s just a matter of time.”
No, it wasn’t. The tightness in my chest returned. “I think I’m going to go take a nap.”
I woke with a start when my cell phone buzzed next to my ear. I’d been dreaming of Garrett proposing and me running away.
Stupid, Rylie. He’s perfect.
It was a number I didn’t recognize.
I know what happened with Alex. Meet me tonight at the bar on 15th and Fern at 7pm. Come alone.
My heart pounded against my ribs. The last time someone had told me to come alone, it’d ended in a big mess. I needed to know more.
Without thinking, I did something I hated doing. I clicked on the phone number and put the phone to my ear.
It began ringing. Was the person on the other end freaking out? Would they answer?
I waited for a voicemail. That would tell me who it was at least. But when it stopped ringing, the pre-programmed message with the robot lady voice and the phone number was all I got. Dammit. It was worth a shot.
I hung up.
Why are you calling me?
The message popped up on the screen within seconds.
Who is this? I’m not going to meet you unless I know who this is.
I’d been in enough dangerous situations since becoming a park ranger.
Then we won’t meet.
Poop. They called my bluff.
Fine. Don’t tell me. I’ll be there.
At least it was at a public bar. What was the worst that could happen?
14
I showed up at seven o’clock on the dot. There were only two people in the bar—the bartender and a man with his back to me in a corner booth.
When I walked in, the man in the booth turned and waved. How he knew who I was, I didn’t know since I’d never seen him before in my life.
“Are you the one I’m supposed to be meeting?” I asked.
He smiled. “I must be.” He motioned around the room.
“Okay, so what do you have for me?”
“Wow, just getting down to it then?” He laughed. He was probably in his early twenties, a shiny black bald head, and deep brown eyes. “Can I at least buy you a beer?”
“Sure. Bud Light draft with limes.”
“Got it.” He stood up and walked to the bar. I shifted in my seat. I had really wanted to get in and get out. This guy was acting like we were on a date.
He walked back with my beer. I squeezed the limes in and took a sip. “Shall we get to business then?”
He laughed. “Well, I’m a receiver for the Denver Broncos.”
I nearly spit out the beer in my mouth. “Wait, you’re Marcus James, aren’t you?” Apparently, I had seen him before.
“Very good. Are you a fan?”
I tried my best not to hyperventilate. Marcus James had my number and had actually texted me. “Definitely.”
“That’s good. It’d be pretty awkward if you were a Chiefs fan.”
“So how do you know Alex?” I asked confused.
“Alex?” Marcus asked. The look on his face was of complete confusion. “Alex Holmes?”
“No. Alex Ward.”
“I don’t know an Alex Ward.” He said. “I’m sorry, what did you say your name was?”
“Rylie. Rylie Cooper. You texted me earlier today about having information about Alex.”
Marcus started laughing.
“You’re not the one who texted me, are you?”
He shook his head slowly. “And you’re not my blind date, are you?”
Now I was laughing. “Nope. I have a boyfriend.”
“Too bad,” he said with a devilish grin.
Was Marcus James flirting with me? “I should probably be going so when your date does get here, she doesn’t find you having a drink with another woman.”
“Wait. Tell me more about this Alex fellow,” he said. “Maybe I can help.”
I looked at the door.
“My date shouldn’t be here for another half hour or so,” he said.
“You’re really early,” I said.
“Just wanted to get comfortable.” He smiled.
I was star struck.
It wasn’t like I’d never met a football player before. I’d met Eli Hudson a few months ago and became good friends with his mom, coincidentally. But it wasn’t like I hung out with Eli or any other football players from my favorite team.
“So who is Alex?” he asked.
“You’ve probably seen the news about the local quarterbacks from North-Central High who have been hospitalized?”
He nodded. “Okay, that Alex. So what? You’re a cop?”
I shook my head. “A park ranger,” I said. “Alex is one of my co-worker’s cousins.”
“Do they think someone did this to them?”
I didn’t want to give away too much, but he was just so charming. “Maybe. And I think it has to do with football or girls or parents somehow.”
“Sounds like the story of my high-school life.” He laughed. “Well, besides the being hospitalized thing.”
“It’s just nothing makes sense.” I took a drink of my beer. “Alex was a good kid. Didn’t do drugs. Drank occasionally. But didn’t want to play football anymore.”
“Whoa. Stop there,” Marcus said. “The star quarterback for the best high school team in the state didn’t want to play football anymore?”
“That’s what I’ve been told,” I said.
“How did his parents take the news? My dad would have been pissed.”
“His dad was angry,” I said. “They got into a huge fight.”
“I’d say you need to look into the dad first. That kid was going places. I’d heard rumors that he’d go pro within a year. If his parents were even slightly as obsessed about his career as mine were, they’d be my first suspect. Especially, with the second string quarterback who strategically—I mean, tragically—was injured too.”
I felt like I’d swallowed a boulder. How was I going to tell Nikki that I thought her uncle could truly be a suspect?
“I should probably go,” I said. “Enjoy your date.”
He pulled out a card from his wallet. “Call me if you need to talk anything else over.”
I nearly fainted. I had the personal phone number of a Denver Broncos football player.
“And I’ll make sure to rub it in Eli’s face that I got to have a beer with you.” He laughed.
“Eli? As in Eli Hudson?” I asked.
“The minute you told me you were a park ranger, I knew exactly who you were. You’re Eli’s mom’s friend.”
“He talks about me?” How could this night get any weirder?
Marcus shrugged. “Once or twice.”
I smiled. “Yes, please tell him I say hi.” I made my way to another booth several steps away and positioned my back to Marcus to hide my smile.
I ordered a burger and another beer when the bartender came over to check on me. By the time my food arrived, an attractive young woman had joined Marcus at his booth.
I couldn’t help overhear him telling her about our funny encounter. She didn’t seem to think it was as amusing as he did and changed the subject rather quickly. Once I’d finished my burger,
they were on their fourth drink, relaxed and laughing.
When they got up to leave I looked at my watch. It was nearly ten o’clock. I checked my phone. No texts.
“Hey, I hope this person shows,” Marcus said as he walked by my table.
“Have a great night,” I said to the two of them.
They smiled and left, arms wrapped around each other.
It was in that moment I longed to be in Garrett’s arms. The thought surprised me, and I had to take a moment to evaluate it. Why wasn’t I freaking out anymore? The knot in my chest had suddenly evaporated.
I pulled up my phone and texted Garrett.
If you’re still up, I’ll be there in about thirty minutes.
I was done waiting for whoever this was.
I texted them too.
I’m leaving.
Instantly I got a text back.
You didn’t come alone.
What do you mean? I’ve been sitting here by myself all night.
No. You were with that football player.
I thought he was you.
I’m not a football player.
I wanted to text asking if they were a cheerleader, but decided against it.
Do you still want to meet tonight? I swear, I’m alone.
Can’t now.
Damn.
Another time?
I was grasping at straws. This was ridiculous.
I’ll contact you if I feel like I can trust you again.
I rolled my eyes and threw some money down on the table. What an utter waste of a night.
My phone buzzed again. Garrett.
The bed is nice and warm for you.
Maybe the night wasn’t lost after all.
15
It was Saturday—both Garrett’s and my day off—and we were sitting in front of the fireplace with our respective cups of coffee while he read the newspaper and I scrolled through various social apps on my phone. “I know it’s less than a week away but do you have plans for Christmas Eve?” I asked Garrett.
He carefully folded the paper and laid it in his lap. “Now that I think about it, I don’t.” He took a sip of coffee. “Mom’s coming into town Christmas Day, and we’re going to visit Derrick together. But Christmas Eve is completely open.”
“I have to work Christmas Eve, but my mom wanted me to invite you to dinner before I get off work, and then I’ll be home, and we’ll open one present.”
“That’s a fun tradition.”
I smiled. “What traditions do you have for the holidays?”
Garrett thought for a while. “When I’m with my non-incarcerated brothers and their kids we always bake and decorate cookies and make snow angels. But I haven’t really established any of my own.”
“Maybe we need to fix that,” I said and then instantly regretted it.
That was a fast-moving statement.
“Maybe we do,” Garrett rubbed my foot that was in his lap. “I love you, Rylie.”
The words tumbled out of his mouth as if it was something he’d said numerous times.
“I—” I sucked in as much air as my lungs would hold. “I love you too, Garrett.”
Garrett smiled, his shoulders relaxing. “And yes, I’d love to come to Christmas Eve with your family, and you once you get off work.”
“Perfect. I’ll let my mom know.” My heart was beating uncontrollably. A little smile formed on my lips.
I was in love.
I was terrified, but I was in love.
“He told you he loved you?” Shayla said later that day when we were all gathered at Seamus’s place for the Avalanche game. Seamus, his roommates, and Garrett were on the couch watching the game unfold.
“And I said it back.”
“You did?” The pitch of her voice raised an octave. “I’m so happy for you.”
She hugged me. I tried to push away the niggling sense of anxiety that swelled in my chest just thinking about it.
“You and Seamus have said it too, right?” I asked.
“Yeah. He practically said it on our first date,” Shayla said blushing.
“Do you think he’ll propose?” I asked.
She shook her head. “No. We’re taking things slow. He’s been down that route before. It ended badly.”
“He’s been engaged?” I asked.
“Twice,” Shayla said with a wince. “The first time was back in Ireland, right out of school. The other only about a year after he arrived here.”
“Engaged twice. That’s kind of a lot,” I said trying to wrap my head around this new information.
Shayla shrugged. “He was young.”
I took a sip of my beer.
“Have you found an apartment yet?”
“I haven’t even looked. With everything going on, it’s kind of gone to the back of my mind.”
“And you don’t want to live with Garrett?” she said. “Even though you’ve declared your love for each other?”
It was a solid thought. He probably thought that would be the next step. “No. I haven’t changed my mind. I don’t think we should live together quite yet.”
“It’s the cleanliness, isn’t it?”
“It’s exhausting.” I sighed. “I feel like I leave a trail of filth behind me like that cute little kid from Charlie Brown.”
“Pigpen?”
I nodded. “He was always my favorite.”
“Are you really that dirty?” Shayla asked and then took a sip of her pink wine cooler.
“Not compared to normal standards. But in Garrett standards, I might as well be a garbage truck.”
“Then why don’t we get a place together?” Shayla asked. “We both want to move out of our parents’ houses. You have a great job, and I’ll have one soon.”
This was perfect. Why hadn’t I thought of it? “I think that’s a great idea.”
“Then I’ll start looking. Academy is winding down with Christmas coming up, so I have some free time on my hands.”
“If you need my help, let me know.”
Shayla nodded. The guys in the living room cheered, standing and high-fiving each other. Garrett was even joining in on the fun.
“How’s the investigation going with Nikki?”
“It’s kind of stalled,” I said. “I mean, I’m trying to chase down leads, but I ended up on a blind date with Marcus James—the Broncos player.”
“How does that even happen?” She laughed.
I told her the story.
“I bet Nikki is beside herself over all of this,” Shayla said.
“She is stuck between being devastated about her cousin’s condition and trying to clear his name all at the same time,” I said. “But I’m starting to wonder if it could be Alex’s dad. Marcus actually brought it up. He said his parents were nuts about his football career and Alex’s dad seems pretty nuts about it too.”
“But why would he hurt Alex?” Shayla asked.
“I don’t think he hurt Alex. I think he may have hurt Jordan.”
“Why would he hurt Jordan?”
“Alex told his dad he didn’t want to play football anymore. Probably that he’d let Jordan play in the championship game.” I had been thinking about it all day.
“You think his dad took Jordan out so Alex would feel obligated to play?” Shayla asked.
I shrugged. “It makes a lot of sense. He’s a cop. He has keys to our gates.”
“Wait, he’s a cop? What’s his name?”
I hadn’t even thought about the fact that Shayla probably knew of this guy. “Hal Ward.”
She tipped her head back and let out a groan. “Alex is Officer Ward’s son?”
“Yeah, does that mean something?”
Shayla looked me straight in the eye. “If anyone could have done it, Ward would be the man. He’s crazy.”
“And he’s Nikki’s uncle,” I said as Nikki and Luke walked in the door.
“Hi. Did we miss much?” Nikki said.
Shayla nodded. We wouldn’t be talkin
g about it anymore.
“The game’s a close one,” Garrett said.
Luke took Nikki’s jacket, grabbed a beer, and plopped down on the couch next to Seamus.
“Hey Nikki,” Shayla said. “I’m so sorry about your cousin.”
Nikki nodded. “Thanks.” Then she turned to me. “Have you found anything?”
My heart did a flop. How was I going to tell her that I thought her uncle was my prime suspect? Even if she thought he was an ass, he was still her uncle.
“Not quite,” I said. “I talked to Dave yesterday after you and I had coffee.”
“And?”
“And he said he saw two or three or five people walking around on the ice yelling.”
“Because they were all drunk,” Nikki said. “Luke got the results back from the cups. There was only trace evidence of the drug that was in Alex’s system.”
“So not everyone got it,” I concluded.
“Alex was drugged?” Shayla asked.
“Looks like someone put it in his beer.” Nikki nodded. “Who knows if anyone else ingested it. But they didn’t find any in Jordan’s blood.”
The three of us stood there in silence with our thoughts for a minute. And then the door opened again revealing Antonio and a gorgeous Asian woman.
“He has a girlfriend?” I blurted out.
“More like flavor of the week,” Nikki said. “He’s been going through them like candy since his divorce finalized. I thought he was a playboy while he was married, but now . . .” She shook her head.
Antonio’s gaze scanned the room. When it landed on me, he instantly looked down at his date. “How about I introduce you to my friends?” he asked her.
She nodded and smiled up at him. He went around the room introducing everyone, but when he got to me, he didn’t even look my way. “And that is Rylie,” he said.