Southern Riders (Scars Book 1)
Page 5
“I heard about your incident at Donna’s Diner,” Captain says to me and my stomach drops, unsure of how he’ll feel about my interaction with Caleb.
“Sorry, it kinda just slipped out,” Cole looks at me apologetically; he must be where Captain heard it from.
“There’s nothing to worry about. Don’t think I’m unaware of Caleb and his asshole behavior. All of us would’ve done the same thing,” Captain grins, and a huge rush of relief floods through me.
“Well, I’m glad to hear that,” I sigh and sip from my mug, hoping to hide my flushed cheeks.
“I wanted to talk about the Marauders today actually,” Captain begins, and I scoot forward in my seat, interested to hear his intel.
“We’ve got to keep a good eye on them, especially this next month. I have some new information from a source and I want to know everything that goes on in that group. I want their whereabouts, any incidents they’re involved in, and really any commotion they start at all,” he looks around at the guys before landing his eyes on me.
“The Marauders are little league, Jessie. A disorderly charge here or there, but nothing serious has ever come from them. The motorcycle clubs in this area are typically pretty laid back, but there are a few that are complete hell raisers; we just want to make sure the Marauders don’t become a problem,” he explains and I nod in understanding.
“Do you think they’re thinking of stepping it up?” Earl asks and I frown wondering what he’s referring to.
“I hope not, but I don’t want to speak on it until I get the confirmation from my source. Let’s just keep an eye on them for now and go from there,” he instructs and we all nod.
“Cap, I’ve got to stop by the high school today to check in on a truant kid, so I was hoping I could take the streets,” Cole says.
“Yeah, that’s fine. Speaking of which, Jessie the way this usually works is one or two of you stay in, while the others hit the streets. I want you to get the feel of the area, so you and Earl will handle downtown. Your partner will explain it on the go, but basically it’s all about presence; we’re hoping to prevent crime by being available and vigilant.
“Jed, you handle the phones, and Cole you take a ride through all the schools before heading back here after lunch. I’ve got to check in with some leads and potential events we’ll need to plan over the next month, so I’ll be here if you need me.” He finishes and the three guys stand, so I follow suit although I’m a bit confused.
That’s it? Really? This is the most laid back police force in the country! I feel like I just left a meeting with friends, but the guys act as if that’s a typical daily routine. This just might be a good move for me after all. Anxiety used to race through me as I prepared to hit the streets in Los Angeles, but today I’m completely relaxed as I climb into the Deputy SUV.
“We’ve got five vehicles total, but I prefer the truck,” Earl says as he backs out of the parking spot.
“I drive a Jeep, so it works for me,” I giggle.
“I saw that; a Wrangler,” he nods towards me before turning onto Main street.
“Yep! So, what’s our patrol look like?” I ask.
“We’re going to stroll around downtown. Keep your eyes out for anyone needing help; you know damaged car or the like. We’ll see if we run into anything, but really we just want to be a deterrent. Captain is all about prevention, and with such a small force it’s our best strategy,” Earl says while slowly driving down the street.
We spend the next hour driving around town as Earl points out different areas. Downtown is much bigger than I thought, and by lunchtime I’ve shaken more hands than I can count. Earl introduced me to the owners of every restaurant and shop on the strip. Everyone seems so nice and welcoming, happy to have a woman on the force. Several people tell me they’ve heard of my bravery at Donna’s Diner, and Earl explains that news travels fast in a town as small as Danville.
When we pass Hayes Auto Repair, I’m all ears as Earl explains the backstory much like he did for the other businesses in the area. Apparently, the older woman I met this morning is Mrs. Hayes, she and her husband opened the repair shop forty years ago and its now the only auto shop in town. It’s a family run business, so everyone that works there is a Hayes, but he hints that there are a few bad apples in the family as well. I can’t tell if he’s holding back information or just distracted by driving. Again, I don’t want to pry about information on Daryl, but after not seeing him this morning when I expected another interaction, I’m a bit pressed to know more about him.
“Is it a large family or tight-knit?” I ask, trying to sound as casual as possible.
“Oh, they’re pretty small. I think Daryl is the only one that still works at the shop, but he’s a damn genius with cars and bikes alike, so he’s all the help they need. He’s their grandson, a really good guy,” he says, repeating the sentiments of Mrs. Rose.
“I think I met him. He fixed my Jeep when I first got in town. He seemed pretty nice, and he was working on a beauty,” I trail off thinking of that first interaction with Daryl.
“You know bikes?” Earl glances over to me, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Know them? My dad practically taught me to take one apart and put it back together,” I beam with pride thinking back to my father and our time together when I was younger.
Motorcycles were what brought us together and although it’s a bit unorthodox for a father and daughter to bound over such a masculine hobby, it was our thing. Every evening we’d spend at least an hour in the garage before my mother would complain about how dirty my nails were, drenched in oil. I’d laugh with my father as she stomped around the house proclaiming I’d be a tomboy all of my life.
Needless to say, it was no shocker when I chose to become a police officer. In some ways, I think my profession was a rebellion of sorts, deciding I wasn’t going to just be a pretty face, but a badass with a pretty face.
“Really? I take my daughter out on my bike sometimes and my wife loses it. Your mom must be a cool lady,” he smirks and I decide not to burst his bubble.
My mother worked nights on the weekends, which meant me and my Dad were left on our own. There was a weekly meetup of all the bikers in The Forum parking lot, and my dad would take me every Saturday night. Always the only kid, I would try my best to conceal my admiration for all the bikes, but the second we left I’d recall my most impressive picks in detail. To this day I don’t think my mom knows about our weekend adventures, and I have no plan on telling her.
“She’s a pretty cool lady,” I sigh, watching the small downtown pass by the lightly tinted window.
It’s approaching midday, which I’ve learned is the most busy time of the day in Danville, and the streets are bustling a bit.
“Is something going on?” I wonder aloud and Earl’s mouth drops open as if he’s forgotten to tell me something important.
“That’s right, you don’t know,” he begins before making an abrupt U-turn. “The fair starts this week,” he smiles excitedly while driving down the narrow one-way street.
“Oh, the fair? I never did go to the LA county fair. Is it nice?” I ask, peering out the window. It’s an alley type street I’ve never been down before.
“It’s a big deal here. Everyone goes to the fair. There’s something for everyone. You have to go,” he shakes his head as if he can see my thoughts, which are that there’s no way I’m going to a fair. I don’t even like roller coasters.
“There’s games, rides, the food is incredible. It’s just a really fun time. The entire town comes out,” he points to a tall wire wrought fence. Just above the top of the gate you can see the tips of colorful cone roofs that look to belong in a carnival.
“I guess I’ll have to check it out,” I smile, hoping that will be enough for him to let me off the hook. I can come up with an excuse for missing the biggest event in town later, but for now I just need Earl off my back.
It’s just a silly fair. I can’t understand why it means so much to him, but I definitely don’t want to ask him anything else about it, so I just sit back as he backs out of the one-way street with our emergency lights flashing.
The rest of the day goes by smoothly as Earl drives me around town, pointing out different areas and landmarks. There’s only one high school for the entire town, and I make a point not to let him know how bizarre that is to me. I don’t want the reputation of the big city girl that is just utterly appalled by everything associated with small town living.
Several times I’ve let my disbelief slip, like at a police force of four officers. Or when Cole told me there hadn’t been a murder in Danville in over a decade. Luckily, I was able to just nod and keep my remarks to myself for the greater part of the tour, even when Earl introduced me to the Barclays family, who owned the only funeral home in all of Danville.
“Everyone in Danville meets the Barclays, whether they know about it or not,” he joked, as I fought back all of my questions. How could one funeral home handle the deaths of an entire community?
All in all, I really enjoyed my time with Earl, he was going to be a great partner, and the more I got to know it, the more certain I was that Danville was going to be a great new home. It was different, for sure, but I think that’s what I needed, what I wanted. My fresh start was finally taking place and I was loving the feeling of a clean slate where no one knew anything about my past, my failures, or even my family.
Chapter Seven
JESSIE
My first week at work passes quickly and I’m feeling more comfortable in my new life in Danville. Waking up to my fist Saturday morning in my new townhouse feels like a blank canvas, stretching in my bed, I begin to make plans.
Maybe I’ll head to the grocery store and stock up for the week before cooking some of my favorites for myself. Tacos sound like a great idea, and I smile while brushing my teeth, determined to make them a reality.
Just then my phone rings. It’s my work cell, which I never use for personal calls, so I’m worried it could be an emergency. Captain McCall told me in a rare instance they may need me to come in on my weekend off, since we all rotate, but I wasn’t expecting to work my first weekend. Rushing across my bedroom, I grab the small phone from my nightstand.
“Hello,” I answer a bit out of breath after the mad dash not to miss the call.
“Jessie? Really?!” My hand moves to cover my eyes. The instant I recognize the voice I regret not checking the call ID first.
“Michael.” I say flatly, annoyed before the conversation has even ended.
“I can’t believe you could really have the gumptious to not even know you’ve made it or settled in. I saw your Facebook status saying you moved into your new place and really couldn’t believe you’d share that with the world before telling me.” He pauses as if I should begin some long, drawn out explanation, but I don’t have any to offer.
What’s more refreshing is that I don’t even feel the anxiety or nerves that used to accompany a conversation like this with Michael. Maybe it’s the separation, and knowing that he can’t just pop up at my house, or maybe I just don’t care anymore. Either way I’m empowered by his weakened power over me.
“Jessie? Are you there?” He asks after I fail to respond.
“Yep,” I answer perkily as I head to my kitchen to check the cabinets before jotting down what I’ll need from the grocery store.
“You don’t have anything to say?” He quips curtly.
“Yeah,” I say after considering something, and I hear a sigh of relief escape him. “How’d you get my phone number?” I question, twisting my face in confusion as if he can see me.
“What? Umm, what do you mean?” He answers, obviously caught off guard.
“I mean, I didn’t give you this phone number. How did you get it?” I reiterate, sensing his frustration.
“I called your mom and told her I needed to reach you for something important. Does it even matter?” He challenges.
“Yes, actually it does matter, Michael. What important matter do you have to discuss?” I ask rhetorically, sure there wasn’t any information to be shared.
“What do you mean?” He spits the words out.
“I mean, you just said you got my number under the pretenses that you needed to reach me for something important. What is the important reason that prompted you to call my mother?” I emphasize my last two words so that he’s undoubtedly sure how absurd I find his behavior.
“I just told you. I needed to know you were okay,” he says nastily.
“No, what you just told me is that you saw from a Facebook status that I was okay. You then called my mother, which is completely out of line, but also a great opportunity for you to ask and learn how well I’m doing. As a matter of fact, I’m sure she told you that, because if there had been any concern she would’ve mentioned your calling on one of our regular conversations.
“She didn’t mention it, because she must have known that you just wanted to waste my time, and she also didn’t want me to know that she had mistakenly given you my phone number knowing I wouldn’t want you to have it.” I can’t believe my boldness as I move from one room to the next, pulling on my favorite sundress before throwing my wallet and keys into a small cross body purse.
“Jessie… I… Jessie, I just wanted to check on you,” he mutters quietly.
“You know, Michael, maybe one day we will get to a place of friendship where we can check on each other, but we’re not there yet. And the way that you called and supposedly ‘check on me’, was rude. You blurted my name accusatorily before even saying hello. That’s not how you check on someone, that’s how you chastise. I’m not your child. I don’t need to check in with you or let you know when or if I arrive somewhere,” I explain while climbing into my Jeep.
“Jessie, I’m your --,” he stops himself and I smile. He’s been so lost in his arrogance that he often forgets he is not my anything anymore. I’ve been so insecure that I didn’t want to address it, but he’s just dumped it on the table for both of us to face.
“That’s right, Michael. You can’t even finish that sentence, because there is no end to that sentence anymore. We’re not anything to each other anymore, except maybe exes. I don’t have any obligation or even allegiance to you, and you don’t have any to me. Although I worried about it initially, I’d have to say I’ve done pretty well accepting the demotion in your life. I don’t expect you to report to me or share your life’s details. It would be more comfortable for me if you could do the same.”
Whoa. Did I just set a boundary with Michael? I think I did! Lindsay won’t be able to believe me when I tell her how courageous and confident I’ve been on this call. It’s long overdue, but I’m beaming with pride as I pull into the grocery store parking lot.
“I guess I just never wanted to be strangers,” Michael says after a long pause.
“What did you think would happen when you called off the wedding?” Tears begin to build at the back of my eyes. I’ve never spoken those words, not to Michael or anyone else.
I’ve pretended that our break-up was amicable, a joint decision, but it wasn’t. It was Michael’s decision and I’ve drowned in shame and embarrassment because of it. For weeks I bent over backwards thinking if I could just do or say the right thing then maybe he would change his mind, but now I was certain I didn’t want him to change, I wanted to change myself so that I’d never be that weak and desperate girl again.
“It was just happening so fast. I wanted us to maybe figure out what we were going to do after the wedding. You know how I felt about your career,” he responds.
“Michael, we broke up. We’re not
a couple, and if we’re both honest I think we can admit that we were never friends. Calling off the wedding was a bold decision, which in the moment devastated me, but now I can appreciate what you did, for both of us. It would’ve never worked, and I’m at peace with that. You need to come to some sort of resolution on your end, because what we’re doing isn’t healthy.” I finish as an older couple walks in front of my Jeep, heading into the grocery store.
“I understand, Jessie. I really do. It sounds like you’re blossoming out there. I guess I was just afraid of you outgrowing me,” he somberly admits and I actually feel a pang in my heart for the rare glimpse of vulnerability from him.
“I think we both outgrew each other a while ago. Maybe we’re both just accepting that now,” I add softly.
“Yeah,” he takes a deep sigh.
“I’ll see you around,” I choose my words carefully, not wanting to commit to talking to him later. I don’t even know when I’ll be in LA next, so the probability of it coming to fruition is meek at best.
“I guess so,” he chuckles, my word choice not lost on him. After a pregnant pause I hang up first.
A single tear rolls down my cheek, but it isn’t accompanied by sadness or hurt, instead it’s a freedom tear. Relief rushes over me as I finally feel the closure I’d yearned for after our split. There was so much I needed to express, but the words always seemed to escape me at the most inopportune times.
Face to face Michael ran circles around me, with his wit and clever banter, but after escaping that mental and psychological dominance, I finally felt free to clear my mind and express myself without fear or doubt. Walking into the grocery store, I feel like a new woman, in my new city.
Because I’m still a bit shocked with myself, I call Lindsay to tell my best friend about my uncharacteristically bold persona that let Michael have it. She’s screaming with excitement as I recount the conversation out of order, recalling moments however they come to me as I walk through each aisle, throwing more than I planned to purchase in my cart.