No Good Deed - Marie Sexton Page 0,76
sitting together in the waiting room. They all came to their feet when Charlie appeared.
“River told me this was a lengthy procedure,” Phil said. “We figured you could use some company.”
“Thank you,” Charlie told him. “I know Jonas will appreciate it.”
“No offense,” Gray said, “but we’re not here for him. We’re here for you.”
Warren rolled his eyes. “Do you ever think about not saying the shit that pops into your head?”
Charlie laughed. “Whoever you’re here for, Phil’s right. I’m glad to have some company.”
They settled into their seats. Warren had a deck of cards with him, although nobody felt compelled to deal them yet. Warren sat with his elbows on his knees, his knit winter hat in his hands.
“We sold our house a few days ago.”
“Already?” Phil asked.
“Yeah. It sold fast, and for well over asking price too. We had to scramble to find one to buy.”
“In Lakewood?” Charlie asked.
Warren nodded. “The house isn’t much, but it has a great big yard. Tons of room for flowers.” He glanced around at his friends. “Moving day is a week from Saturday, by the way. So mark your calendars. I expect everybody who didn’t just donate a kidney to be there.”
“What about the other stuff? The battered women?” Charlie asked. “Are you giving that up too?”
“I think I am.” He turned his hat around and around in his hands as he talked. “I’m sure there are still a few girls out there with my card in their pockets. If they call, I’ll go. But the only business cards I’m giving out from now on are to people who want their outlets fixed or their kitchens rewired.” He winced. “Part of me feels like I’m letting people down. But I have Taylor now. I can’t risk facing another nutjob with a gun.”
“Nobody will blame you for that,” Gray said. “We’ll all sleep better, knowing you’re safe.”
“What about you?” Charlie asked Gray. “How’s the job search?”
He expected a scowl, but to his surprise, Gray smiled. “I found something, actually.”
“Law enforcement?”
“No, it’s security, but with dog handling.” Everybody blinked at him, and he hurried to explain. “This company, they only employ veterans. And they train dogs for security—drug and bomb detection—and they work sporting events and concerts. Stuff like that. The other guys there all have dog handling experience already. I don’t, but I’m the only one with a legitimate law enforcement background.” He shrugged, still smiling. “I don’t know. I hated the idea of working security, but something about doing it with other vets, and with dogs, it doesn’t bother me as much as it used to. I mean, I’m getting a dog! How cool is that?”
“That’s fantastic,” Charlie told him.
“The thing is, we’re probably moving too.” He leaned back in his seat, stretching his long legs out in front of him. “My landlord’s been trying to double my rent ever since that shitstorm at Christmas. I was going to fight him on it, but he doesn’t allow pets. At this point, it’s easier to move than to argue.”
“Moving where, exactly?” Charlie asked.
“Well, that kind of depends on you.”
“On me? Why?”
“Phil and River are way out in Golden. Warren and Taylor will be in Lakewood. I’d love to be closer to them, but not if it means being farther from you.”
“Are you serious?”
“Why not? I know you’ve had people wanting to buy your house for years.” He glanced around at them all, his eyes bright with excitement. “Maybe it’s time we all gave up on this downtown shit and moved to the burbs.”
“I love that idea,” Phil said. “I know I’m biased. I love our cabin, but I hate being so far from you guys. River and I would both like having you all closer.”
“What about Avery?” Charlie asked Gray.
“He’ll be commuting to CSU starting next fall. Lakewood or Denver proper won’t make much difference either way. He’ll be farther from the Tap House, but he’s already cut down how many nights he plays there. These days, he spends more time playing at the nursing home in Golden where Phil’s grandfather lives, so he’d like being farther west. Plus, his dad sort of hinted he might have a condo in Lakewood he’d let us live in for a discount.”
“Really?” Warren asked.
Gray laughed. “His dad really seems to like me. God knows why.”
“Give him time,” Phil teased. “He’ll come around.”
They all laughed, ribbing Gray good-naturedly about his in-laws.
Charlie ignored them. He sat back, thinking about Gray’s proposal.
Charlie had stayed in his abuela’s house all these