Page 7 of Madden

"Have you?" He throws back.

I haven't, and I'm sure he knows it. "I think you're aware of what our relationship is like, because you have the same one. The only difference between us is that you're more forgiving than me."

"I'm not more forgiving. I've been through more therapy."

The microwave goes off and I move over to the side, pulling the container out. I whistle between my teeth. "Shit, that's hot." I scoop up some of the chicken with a little of the veggies on the fork and blow on it before putting it into my mouth. Like every other idiot who does this straight out of the microwave, I open and start breathing to cool the burning against the roof of my tongue.

"Yeah, that's what you get." Beckett laughs. "How old are you again?"

"I'm hungry." I speak around the food. "Yesterday was a long day, and I got an unexpected call this morning before I could make anything."

"Oh, yeah?" He leans back against his pillow. "Good news, I hope?"

I sigh, blowing at the food again, preparing to burn my mouth, but hoping it's cooled down enough. "I was asked to be a School Resource Officer."

"What did you say? Was that ever in the plan for you? Will you get to keep Donut?" He fires off a lot of the same questions I had, which proves how we share a brain.

"Slow your roll. I said I would give it a shot. I mean, I don't have anything to lose. It might be fun, and I think I'm the most qualified on the PD to go into an elementary school. It reminds me of taking care of you, and yes I get to keep Donut. He's going to be the school's emotional support dog, and I'm sure if there's an issue he can help with on patrol, then he will." I take another bite, and then a drink of water to wash it down.

He gives me a grin and a thumbs up. "I think you'll do really well in that role, bruh. You've always been there for me, and I can't imagine you wouldn't be a great fit for the kids. I was lucky to have you, and they will be too."

The emotion that crushes my chest is unexpected. "We were lucky to have each other. Either way, when are you going to come up to visit me?"

"In a couple of weeks. If you have a weekend available, I'll come stay with you."

"Yeah, we'll work it out. If I take this job, then I'll have weekends off." I glance at the clock on the microwave. "I gotta go, I need to head down to the station and take care of a few things. Talk to you later?"

He nods. "Go work. Love you, bro. Be safe out there."

"You, too. Love you, be good."

He smirks. "When have you ever known me to be good?"

He disconnects before I can say anything, leaving me to shake my head. Eating the last of my food, I throw my containerin the sink and then tap my thigh for Donut. "Wanna go down the station and see your friends?"

He sits and grins at me.

"Yeah? Come on, let's go."

We get into my SUV, and I can't help but think that taking this position is going to be the biggest change I've ever had in my life.

CHAPTER 6

BECCA

Mick,Stephanie, and I walk into The Café the next day. "Wow, I can't believe y'all got the broken window taken care of that quickly."

"When Ruby puts her mind to something, it gets done." Stephanie cuts her eyes at me. "Especially when it involves The Café."

"How many do you need?" Leigh asks, walking up to us.

It always amazes me that she continues to work, even when she obviously doesn't need to. "Three, please." I hold up three fingers.

"Y'all want a table or a booth? I have both open."

Mick prefers booths. "Booth, please." When we're seated, and he's tucked in next to me, I reach over and grab the menu.

Stephanie snorts. "I don't know why you're even looking at that thing? You get the same chicken fingers every time we come here."

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