Page 73 of Every Good Thing
A beat passes in an intense stare-down. I’m fucking mortified. I try to bridge the awkward gap. “Mom and I were big fans of Matt. He played a cop in Nightshift.”
Ben says, “I play a cop in real life.”
My mortification upticks as I gape at my husband. What is this? His unfriendly vibe has leveled up to actual rudeness.
“Filming is supposed to be in the woods,” Ben says again after a stinging pause.
Matt steps away, hands sliding into his pockets again. “I better get over there before they notice I’m gone. Nice to meet you.”
He backsteps carefully like the barn is suddenly riddled with landmines.
Once he’s gone, I give Ben a pained look, signing as I demand, “What was that? You were harsh.”
“He shouldn’t be in here.”
Bored with us, Ruthie jumps into the driver’s seat of the ATV and pretends to drive it.
“That’s Matt Kirby. Mom and I used to love his show—”
“I don’t care who he is. He shouldn’t be in here.”
“You shouldn’t be so rude. I’d never be like that to someone you admire.” My entire body prickles with anger at his deadpan, uncaring expression. A bad mood is one thing, but dismissing a memory of Mom feels like stabbing me in the heart. “Thanks for ruining a good Mom memory with your shit attitude, Ben.”
I curve around him for the ATV and move Ruthie to the passenger seat. “Time to feed.”
“Is Daddy coming?”
“Nope, he’s had a long day.”
“Go slow, Mom. For Ross,” she advises as I start the engine.
Ben cuts me a cold glance—Ross is my fault, too.
Twenty
BEN
I arrive at the Riley Trust campus fifteen minutes early to find my former training officer, Captain Tenor, waiting for me. He’s also a man who appreciates punctuality.
“Ben, it’s great to see you.” He shakes my hand, his eyes glistening. I also feel unexpected emotions at our reunion. He was a good teacher.
“You, too, Captain.”
“Oh, no,” he says, wagging his finger. “We’re friends now. Call me Larry.”
“Yes, sir.” My attire matches his, which is a relief. Lena’s suggestion of dark blue chinos, brown shoes, and a checkered blue and red button-down feels appropriate. “You look well.”
“Well-fed, you mean.” He rubs his soft paunch, chuckling. “My Jenny knows the way to my heart is through my stomach. You look great, too. Still keeping in shape, I see.”
“Jogging, biking, weights,” I explain. “Routine is everything.”
He laughs, though I’m not trying to be funny.
“Amen, brother. Your diligence pays off. It’s like I was telling the Rileys—you’re the most reliable and capable officer I ever worked with, dutiful to a fault sometimes. Course, they already knew that about you. I’m thrilled that you’re considering Riley Trust. I’ll feel better retiring knowing it’s in capable hands.”
“I’m undecided about the position,” I clarify. “But excited to learn more about it.”
He pats my back good-naturedly. “See? That makes you a good officer—you rely on facts and observations. Let’s get to it.”
