Page 45 of Tequila Tuesdays

Chapter 16

Inretrospect,Ishouldhave gone to check on Frankie when she didn’t show up for the last volleyball match or for drug court that Thursday. At our practice at the beginning of the season, I should have taken her tired eyes and weight loss more seriously and been less distracted with other things. But the clarity of hindsight can be cruel sometimes.

On Thursday morning I went to the gym. It was a beautiful morning and Kurt, the owner, had opened an overhead sliding door built into the exterior wall of the gym to let in the air and sun.

Kurt’s golden retriever, Jack, got up and walked over to me, his tail wagging.

“Hi, guys. How’s my good boy, huh?” I’d grabbed one of Gary’s dog treats on the way out of the house, and I pulled it out of my pocket. “Can I give him a treat?”

Kurt smiled. “Yeah. But you’re already his favorite member. You don’t have to bring him treats too.”

I squatted down and gave Jack the treat and a good scratch behind his ears. “I’m also his favorite because I give the best big boy pets. Don’t I, you handsome guy?”

Jack gave a happy whine. I heard someone clear his throat behind me, and I glanced back.

Damien grinned down at me. “You give the best big boy pets, huh? Good to know.”

I shook my head and straightened up. A man stood beside Damien, and by his build and facial structure, I could tell it was his brother.

“Don’t finish that thought, Dimples. Or I’ll put another ball in your face.”

The man beside Damien went from grinning to laughing. “Wouldn’t that usually be the other way around? And wouldn’t it be two balls?”

I didn’t look at his brother but kept staring at Damien. “He’s your brother, isn’t he? I can tell because he’s got the same smart-ass mouth and smirky grin.”

Damien grinned, and it was the exact grin I’d just been talking about.

He motioned to his brother. “This is Brock. Brock, this is Harley.”

I finally looked at Brock. He wore a tight black t-shirt with a worn BA Construction logo across the front. He held out his hand, and I slowly reached out and shook it.

My eyes widened. “Oh Lord, you’ve also got a dimple.”

Damien leaned over and murmured in my ear. “He’s a troublemaker, Legs. Do us both a favor and don’t start calling him Dimples too.”

“We have history, and you earned that nickname. Don’t worry.” I patted Damien’s chest.

Brock studied me. “Are you two colleagues, friends, a thing? What?”

I stayed silent. Brock was Damien’s brother, so he could deal with him.

Damien glanced at Brock. “As far as you’re concerned, all the above.”

I raised my eyebrows but didn’t contradict Damien. Maybe Brock was a player and Damien felt protective of me. Or maybe because we were working together, Damien didn’t want things to get awkward.

Brock let out an exaggerated sigh. “Okay, then.” He pointed a finger at me. “Let me know if anything changes.”

I blinked in surprise. Brock was about the same height as Damien, a little leaner, and he had light brown hair instead of dark blond. He also had the same angular face and sharp jawline. They were both extremely good-looking. There must have been some good genes in that family.

Damien growled and Brock laughed. Whatever. I was an ass to my sister sometimes too.

I tilted my head toward the treadmills. “Let’s go get our sweat on.”

Damien and I ended up trying to race on the treadmills, then we lifted weights, and I did some strength training while they bench pressed and ribbed each other. It was one of the more enjoyable workouts I’d had in a while.

By the end of the day, my happy workout buzz was long gone. Just like juvenile drug court earlier in the week, felony adult drug court didn’t go well. I understood the stresses and triggers of the holiday season for people in recovery. But we were barely into December and almost half my adult drug court clients had relapsed or missed a urinalysis test, also known as a UA. By the end of the day, I just wanted to go home, lounge on my couch with Gary, and watch a mindless movie with a big glass of wine.

Kevin and Josh from my volleyball team were still doing well, thank God, but Frankie hadn’t shown up for drug court. She’d also missed her treatment sessions and UAs since late last week. I was afraid she’d relapsed or was actively using again.

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