Page 16 of Ace of Spades

"Thank you for your time, Ms. Riley," Chief Briggs says stepping around me and nodding toward the man standing behind me. "Levi."

Levi tips his chin but says nothing and watches them leave before turning to me.

"You should've pressed charges, Ms. Riley."

Well, now he knows my name.

"It was my call and I made it, now if you'll excuse me,Mr. Steele."

Julian comes up to us, jaw nearly on the floor.

"What the hell, Si? What was that all about?"

"I think we've had enough excitement for one night," Levi says, making a lasso signal with his finger to someone across the garage bay.

It’s the unwelcome committee from the day I interviewed. I’m sure she’s thrilled to see me again.

The woman shoots him a thumbs up and flips on the lights, announcing, "Alright, kids. Time to take this party elsewhere. Remember to tag Steele King's Customs when sharing your pics tonight. Yada yada. And don't touch the bikes on the way out. That means you, Joey."

A young guy who must be Joey, tosses a hand in the direction of the woman, dismissing her and mumbling unintelligible things as he leaves.

There are groans from the remaining party guests but the bay clears out within a matter of seconds. What's left are discarded bags of chips, scattered pizza boxes, and soda cans everywhere.

The place is trashed.

Theo comes up to us now and asks Julian, "You still wanna swing by Jolly Rogers and plan out your piece?"

Julian looks from Theo and back to me. "Can Sienna come?"

Theo shrugs. "If she wants to."

His eyes stay glued on me. And something tells me he wants me to say yes, despite his apparent attempt to be cool about it.

Levi approaches his son tossing him a plastic trash bag.

"Before you head out, I need you to clean up this mess."

Theo looks at the trash bag hanging from his dad's hand, his own hands stuffed deep into his pockets. “Why me?”

“Because these were mostlyyourfriends here tonight.”

Theo rubs his hand down his face before reaching for the bag, unenthusiastically. He and Levi fight each other with just their eyes.

And instead of letting the awkward silence draw out, I reach for the bag myself.

"You guys go ahead. I'll stay back and help clean up."

"You don't have to do that," Levi tells me for the second time tonight.

"It's fine. I don't mind."

His jaw flexes but he doesn’t protest, instead, he walks past the group of us and over to a guy sitting on the ground holding his head, helping him up to his feet.

"You sure? You don't have a ride, Si." Julian feels the need to inform me.

And it's true sincehe'stechnically my ride.

"Oh, you didn't know… we're in the 21st century and there are apps for that now."

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