14. Brock

Chapter fourteen

Brock

T hat man who showed up looking for Eddy was a pain in my ass. When he wouldn't leave after punching him, I called the Sheriff's office. They sent a deputy out to make him leave. He raised his hands in the air and left, not giving them a chance to arrest him, but I would have loved to see that. Then I filled out paperwork to trespass him so he couldn't return without repercussions. And since he'd left his calling card, I knew who he was. Private investigator mother fucker.

A few days later, Jackie came by to see how I was. He took one look and said, "Close the store and come on."

"What? Why?"

"We're going to Pints." He snapped his fingers and waved his hand back and forth. "Let's go."

I grunted, not sure if I agreed or not. It was close enough to closing time, but a few folks were in the back of the store. I hated kicking them out, but I could use a break. I walked back to the gamer area. "Hey, guys. What's up?"

"Just hanging," one said, holding up a controller. I'd set up a game unit so kids could sample games, and I had some for sale, though they didn't sell well. But kids probably couldn't afford them. They did buy other things sometimes. This kid was someone who came in a lot and every once in a while, he bought a magazine or coffee.

"I love having you. Don't get me wrong." I held up my hands. "But I'm trying to close early. If y'all take off now, I'll give you free coffee next time you come in."

"Deal." They both agreed and high-fived me on the way out. That had been easier than I thought it would be. It made me feel a lot better about connecting to this younger generation. The bookstore had always been my safe place, and I wanted it to be that for others.

Jackie helped me straighten up and situate the register, locking up the cash and receipts for the day in the office safe. Then we took off.

I wasn't one to drink a lot, but a few beers wouldn't hurt, and maybe I could relax a little. We stood at the bar and ordered a couple of IPAs. After a nice long swig, Jackie turned to me. "What gives? Is it Eddy?"

I nodded. I felt empty without him. He'd shown me what could be, then took it away. How could I not be hurting?

"He was into you. I think if he could be here, he would." Jackie knew about what happened when Eddy left. Of course, I told him. Spilling our guts to each other was normal for us. We were closer than brothers.

I raised my beer. "Here's to hoping he'll be back."

"Yep. I see it in your eyes. I know you miss him. Things will work out though, man." He patted my back. "I believe that." I wanted to agree, but I wasn't sure.

I changed the subject rather than talk more about what I didn't have and could only hope for. "What about you?" I asked him.

He laughed. "What about me?"

"When are you going to start dating? Find you a nice girl, settle down."

"No. Not just no, but hell no. And who the fuck says I want a girl."

I'd seen him date men and women, if you could call it dating. Mostly, it was hookups from the next town. He'd also been known to go into Sacramento to find someone to rub one out with, but not often. "Aren't you tired of being alone?"

"No. I like alone. Single is my game, dude. But I see you with someone. To be honest. I could see you with Eddy."

We were right back where I didn't want to be. I gave him a shrug and ordered a second beer. We spent that round talking about the bike, the store, his blogging business which seemed to be picking up a few new advertisers.

Then I went home. So fucking lonely.

I sighed and pulled into my driveway. A dark figure was sitting on my porch. I turned off the bike and walked up, intending to intimidate the fuck out of whoever it was. If that private investigator fucker was back, he was getting a serious beat down this time, not a simple punch to the nose.

Then he stood. And he was there. My heart stopped beating in my chest and my brain stopped thinking in my head. The Earth stopped spinning for me as I spied Eddy. He stood in front of my door, looking like a scared cat with his tail bent out of shape, and it took everything I had in me to keep from running to him and pulling him into my arms. Protection-mode activated. But I didn't want him to think I was a caveman. After all, he had left.

He cleared his throat. "Uh, Brock, can we talk?"