Page 84 of Need You
TJ gave him a look. “You guys seemed pretty cozy last night.”
“This isn’t like with Josh and Hannah.” The brothers had spent the winter playing matchmaker. “She’s leaving, TJ. She’s moving back to LA as soon as she sells her house there and can buy another one. So knock it off.”
“LA isn’t that far away, you know? From what I can tell, she’s nothing like Lisa.”
“And you would know this because of all the time you’ve spent with Delaney? You used to think Lisa was great, which shows what a great judge of character you are.”
“I didn’t think she was so great. None of us did. But you loved her ... and we love you. What she did was about as messed up as you can get. But you can’t judge every woman by Lisa.”
“TJ, why don’t you work on your own love life? When was the last time you had a date, huh?”
“Don’t make this about me. I watched you last night. You like her.” He jerked his head toward Delaney’s house. “All that arguing over parking ... You two were like kids discovering the opposite sex for the first time. Why don’t you just freaking go for it and quit depriving yourself of something good for a change?”
“Why don’t you shut the hell up?” Colt shoved a piece of naan in TJ’s face and abruptly changed the subject. “I’m going to need a full-time job when I get fired. I want my pick of assignments.”
“Why should I give you that?”
“Because I’m the oldest and the best.”
TJ rolled his eyes. “You won’t get fired. Rita and the others will go ballistic.”
“I think you overestimate my popularity and importance. Haven’t you heard the saying that no one is indispensable?”
“You’re good, Colt. Best police chief Glory Junction has ever had. You’re tough but fair and Lord knows you’re dedicated. What does Jack think?”
“Jack doesn’t know what to think. Pond’s a prick.”
“Yup, Pond’s a megaprick.”
They ate their Indian food in silence while Colt thought about just how dispensable he’d been. First with Lisa, now as chief. And if he let Delaney get too close, she’d replace him in a Los Angeles minute. When all he wanted was to be a forever kind of guy right here in Glory Junction.
