Chapter 2
1277 Words
Chapter 2
5 months earlier
After a successful day of rescuing a family of five that swerved off the road to avoid a deer, Sam walked into Calhoun’s ready to unwind and throw back a beer.
There weren’t many places in Red Maple Falls where Sam could go that weren’t full of people he’d known since he was a kid, but Calhoun’s sat on the town border, making it close enough to the outside world that it brought people in from other towns. It’s where he went whenever he was in need of a woman’s companionship. Calhoun’s always guaranteed a good time that ended up in the back of a car down some desolate road.
Tonight though, he wasn’t looking for a good time—not that he would dismiss the opportunity if it arose—he just wanted to catch up with his best friend. They’d both been so busy, especially since Matt was a new father, that they hadn’t had as many chances to hang out.
Declan, the bar owner, and one of Sam’s good friends, held his arms up when he spotted Sam. “Sam my man,” he said as Sam approached. “Your usual?”
Sam nodded as he slipped onto one of the barstools. Declan disappeared for a second then returned, pushing a pint glass filled with Sam’s favorite IPA across the bar top.
“Thanks.” Sam picked it up and took a sip, his eyes settling on a brunette at the far end of the bar. Her shirt dipped low in the front, and she leaned forward showing him exactly what she had to offer. A tempting sight, but if he abandoned ship to go after a girl before Matt even showed up, Matt would never let him live it down. So he swallowed down the desire to go to her and instead flashed her a smile.
He turned back to Declan and took another swig from his glass. “Good f*****g beer,” he said.
A hard hand clamped down on his shoulder and gave him a shake. Sam put his glass on the bar before he wound up wearing his drink.
“That’s because my brother is the master,” Matt said, referring to his brother Mason who owned Five Leaf Brewery and was the genius behind the beer Sam was drinking.
Sam smirked. “Too bad that gene skipped right over you.”
“Hey, I’m a master in many things,” Matt said as he slid onto the stool next to Sam. He must’ve stopped home and changed out of his Sheriff’s uniform, since he was in jeans and a dark green thermal.
“Driving everyone crazy doesn’t count.”
Matt nodded to Declan who grabbed a glass and started filling it.
“I think that’s a pretty damn good skill,” Matt joked.
“You’re the only one.”
Declan returned, sliding Matt’s drink across the counter. Sam took a glance back to the brunette and caught her staring at him. He gave her a wink and watched the sexy blush spread across her cheeks before turning back to his friends.
“How’s fatherhood treating you?” Declan asked Matt.
“Pretty great actually.”
Matt, being the oldest out of six, was destined to be a father. It was in his blood, unlike Sam who wouldn’t burden any kid with his tainted bloodline.
“Wait until the kid can talk back,” Sam said. “I personally am looking forward to it. If he’s anything like you.” Sam shook his head and laughed. “Your poor wife.”
Matt got a stupid grin on his face at the mention of his wife. “Shay married me. She knew what she was getting into.”
“The woman’s a saint,” Sam said. “I don’t know how she deals with you.” Sam was mostly joking, but it was no secret that Matt could be overprotective, overbearing, and basically a pain in the ass toward the people he loved. It came from a good place, which was why Sam felt it was okay to joke about it.
“Because when you love someone, you can look past all of that.”
“Did you read that in a Hallmark card?”
Matt laughed. “Shut up, asshole.”
Sam gave another quick glance over his shoulder to the brunette instantly meeting her gaze.
“Don’t you ever get bored of it?” Matt asked, bringing Sam’s attention back to him.
“Bored of what?”
“Sleeping with random girls. Never having anything last past morning.”
“Nope.”
Matt gave him a skeptical look then quickly shook his head. “What the hell am I saying? You weren’t cut out for long term relationships. I’d honestly feel sorry for whatever girl sunk her claws into you. You’re incapable of staying faithful.”
Sam patted Matt’s shoulder. “Thank you for finally realizing that.”
“It wasn’t a compliment.”
“I know.”
Matt rolled his eyes and went to take a sip of his beer when his cell rang. He fished it out of his pocket, and while he was busy, Sam turned back to the brunette. He didn’t have any plans to get laid tonight, but when a beautiful brunette was practically undressing him with his eyes, there was no way he could walk away from the chance.
“Hey, Hads. What’s up?” Matt said, and Sam turned to eavesdrop on Matt’s conversation with his sister. “I’m working a double. I can’t.”
“What’s she need?” Sam asked.
Matt pushed the phone away from his mouth. “She’s picking up a foster in Mass and wanted me to go for the ride.”
“When?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
“I’ll go.” Sam offered without hesitation.
Hadley had been fostering dogs for the past five years and Sam admired her devotion to the four-legged fur balls. He wouldn’t mind taking a ride with her to go help out another dog in need. Truth was, somewhere along the way, the little girl with the pigtails that used to climb trees and play with all the farm animals, including the chickens, became one of his closest friends.
He loved spending time with Hadley, and since he had the day off tomorrow, he didn’t mind spending it in a car with her.
“Sam said he can go with you.” Matt listened as Hadley spoke and Sam waited to hear what she was saying. “Okay, talk to you soon.” Matt hung up and placed his phone on the bar. “She said be at her house at seven and don’t forget to bring a treat for Lady.”
Sam laughed. Lady was Hadley’s dog, an adorable senior golden cocker spaniel who Sam made the mistake of giving a treat to the first time he met her. Now every time he saw the dog, she expected something.
“Thanks for offering to go with her,” Matt said.
“It’s no big deal.”
“It gives me peace of mind. I don’t want her driving to Mass by herself.”
“You do realize that she’s thirty-one, right?”
“And your point is?”
“God help you if you ever have a daughter.”
Matt eased his arms onto the bar and looked at Sam. “Honestly, I might need you to commit me then.”
“You can always count on me, brother. I got your back.”
“Except when you’re constantly distracted by a brunette at the end of the bar.”
“You noticed that, huh?”
“You’re not as smooth as you think you are.”
“Oh, but I am.” Sam downed the rest of his beer and placed the glass on the bar ready to make his move.
“While I’d love to sit around and watch you work to get laid, I have to get home.”
Matt pulled out his wallet and Sam held his hand up. “This round’s mine. You get the next. Tell Shay I said hi and give my godson a kiss for me.”
“Will do, but try to stop by sometime this week.”
“I’ll bring Missy by on Wednesday.” His half-sister would love to see the little guy and he could kill two birds with one stone.
“Sounds like a plan.” Matt nodded his goodbyes to Declan before patting Sam on the back. “Be safe.”
Sam’s mouth curved into a big smile. “I always am,” he said before heading over to seal the deal.
- Writer
