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Evan
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I fumbled for my keys to open my apartment door. It’d been four days since I’d been home. Mail piled at my doorstep, held together by a stretched-out rubber band. Mrs. Freidmont next door always looked out for me. She made sure no one messed with my apartment, and she always got the mail for me when I was away for a few days. I made myself a mental note to send her flowers.
When I opened the door and flicked on the light, the roaches scurried. They hovered, some of them waiting and stopping in their tracks. The ones that were smarter fled up the walls and behind the little bit of furniture that lined my crummy apartment. I grabbed the roach spray from the side table and sprayed the few that stayed behind. I shook my head. I really needed to move. It was all that I could afford, though. All my extra money went to Mia’s college tuition at Santa Fe University. She was a junior, and ever since our parents had died two years earlier in a car accident, I had looked after her.
I sifted through my mail, opening a bill from Santa Fe University: $10,500.00 due.
“Jesus.” I guessed I’d be picking up some overtime. I tossed the bill on the counter and glanced at the clock: 4:00 a.m. With my stomach growling, I walked over to the fridge. Other than my bagel for breakfast, I had forgotten to eat. I hadn’t had a decent meal since Airi, Adam’s wife, had madeNikujaga the previous week. The meat, potato, and onion stew had been perfect with just a hint of sweetness. My stomach growled again in memory of how delicious it was. A bare fridge stared back at me. I sighed as I slammed it shut.
Slumping my shoulders in defeat, I flicked off the light to my house and locked the door behind me. Well, that was short-lived. I headed back down to my car. My baby. My blue 2014 BRZ was the only luxury I allowed myself, and that girl purred like a kitten.
I rubbed my hand down her side as I clicked the unlock button on my key fob. My fingertips tingled, sending jolts up through my body. I swear I got a hard-on just looking at her. I opened the door, gently placing myself in the driver seat. The coolness of the leather seats pressed against my back, and my groin throbbed, twitching and pressing against my suit pants. Avery slowly crept into my mind and the throbbing became more persistent. I smiled to myself, thinking of our exchange at the crime scene. She was tough and I had no doubt that she could kick my ass. Slender but fierce looking, and that hair, oh, sweet Jesus! That hair did things to me. I clenched the wheel harder. The only aspect that softened her hardened exterior were her freckles.
I grinned. There was something alluring about a woman who could hold her own. There was no weakness there. She’d handled that crime scene with such ease.
I put the key in the ignition, the soft purring of the engine rumbling under me. If I could just get Avery in this car.... I laughed. I’d have to break through that impenetrable fortress she’d built up.
I sped off, the torque sending me flying back in my seat. I turned the corner heading to grab some takeout before going back to the precinct. My home.
