Page 91 of Mistletoe Misses
“I hope you do, buddy. I highly recommend the lifestyle.”
“What lifestyle? Monogamy?” He puffs out a breath of disapproval.
“Exactly. Ever heard of it?” I tease. Like Jamie, he has no problem showing off his bachelorhood pride.
“She’d have to be special to warrant that impulse, and I seriously doubt the perfect woman exists.”
I beg to differ but keep it to myself. One day, he’ll learn as I did.
???
“Hi, Captain. Thanks for meeting with me on such short notice,” I greet, closing his office door and taking a seat when he motions toward the chair.
“You better have a good reason for coming back here before your time is up.”
“You’re not happy to see me?” I joke.
His elbow lands on the desk, and he raises a thick finger to start the count. “I’ve got a wounded officer, four with the flu, two on maternity leave, and one dumbass who needed a longer admin leave than necessary. What do you think?”
That last dig is aimed at the dumbass sitting across from him. “Did the investigation come back yet?”
“A week after you left. It didn’t even need investigating.”
“You took me off rotation for no reason?”
“Are you complaining?”
I pause to mull it over. If Captain hadn’t found a reason to send me away, where would I be now? “No.”
“With that settled, let’s get to the point of this meeting. I’ve got a lot of work to do.”
“Alright.” I drop the letter I wrote at a patrol room desk on top of his.
“What’s that?”
“My resignation … effective immediately.”
“Maddox, I didn’t send you away to make you quit.” His big brother voice is back, poking at my conscience. I haven’t hated my job. I just hated who I became in it.
“I know. You did it to save me, and it worked. I’ve found myself along the way, and that version of me doesn’t have a purpose in Boston. I’m moving home and starting over.”
The side of his mouth tips up with pride. “I’m happy for you.”
“You’re the second person to tell me that today.” It feels good. “I’m happy for me, too and have you to thank for it. It’s been a long time.”
“I didn’t do anything but give you an ass-kicking when you needed it. You did all the hard work.”
“I’m indebted to you anyway and always will be. Thanks for having my best interest in mind for the unnecessary punishment.”
“Wasn’t a punishment. It was a kick in the ass. Totally different.”
Laughing, I rise and reach out a hand to my superior, mentor, and friend. “I’m going to miss you.”
“I’ll miss you, too. Now, get. I have more blasted paperwork to do, thanks to you.”
“My bad.” I go to leave him to his blasted work, then stop by the door. “Merry Christmas, Captain.”
He looks up. “You too, brother.”
