Jacen Todd

At his words Olivia narrowed her eyes, she questioned if he was telling the truth or if this was just another lie. She wanted to believe that she wasn’t that stupid, but when she was drunk anything could go. When he mentioned his life was crap before this, still crap now it pulled slightly at her heart strings until she remember exactly who was standing in front of her. “You’re not getting anything from me. We can stay married the rest of our lives for all I care, but you’re not getting a dime from me.” She refused to give him a cent. Especially after all the bullshit that he’d done to her recently. “Your the one who needs something in this, not me.” She informed him with a smirk. “I have the power here, not you.”

“You’re not that convincing, Jacen. Try again. I don’t believe you.” Letting him know that she wasn’t falling for a bit of it. “It is show and tell. So show me because I don’t believe a word coming out of your mouth. This is me calling your bluff.” She countered with a laugh of her own. “As I said you’re not getting a dime.” She repeated. “You think I care about being alone? I’ve been alone since my parents died. This isn’t new for me, if anything this is how I thrive.” She had little connections outside of her family and best friend. “People don’t care that you’re a cop, if you try anything I’ll report you to your boss. Pretty sure blackmail is also illegal so go ahead Jacen.” Daring him to continue, because two could play this game. “Take one out because it’s the only way you’re getting a dime from me.”

“If you want dirty talk you should see what I call you when you’re not around.” She informed him with a hiss. At him catching her wrist Liv used her other hand to go for the underwear instead. “Please you’d be into that.” She remarked with a huff as she shook the blonde hair out of her face. “Because you don’t deserve the money!” She yelled. “You’re giving me back my underwear, Todd.” She warned him as she pointed a finger at him. 

When they arrived Olivia sighed heavily and she couldn’t believe she was actually doing this willingly. Taking his hand when he offered to help her, she got off the bike. Pulling down her skirt that was too short to even be at a McDonalds. When he offered his arm she was hesitant, but took it and strolled into the restaurant with him.  “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Noticing that there was only one seat. “I’d rather sit on the floor.” She remarked. Standing on the other side of the table when he slid in, she refused to give in. Instead she got on her knees and set level with label. “Guess there’s two seats after all.” She remarked. “Did you order dinner for us too? Or do I get to pick that, unlike what seat I want.” 

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“You have the power? Do you? Because if you did you wouldn’t have missing furniture and you wouldn’t be living with me,” he pointed out. It was more so that he was the one with the power to ruin her life even more than he already had. But keep thinking that, babe,” he said a smirk on his face at just the thought. 

His eyes roll in their sockets as she spoke. “I’ll show you when I’m ready, and right now, I’m not.” It was a statement that should have given her the indication that he wasn’t lying. Which he wasn’t he did have proof. Jacen was no fool. Though he also knew that the video of her drunken interaction with him was more so her inhibitions low enough to think of the boy she once knew. The believe that he was there. It was her softening into the woman that he had always hoped she’d turn into, not this selfish and greedy version of herself. “My boss knows all about you. He knows everything already. There’s nothing you could actually tell him that would be news. Is it, babe, when what’s mine is yours? When we’re husband and wife it’s not blackmail to ask your wife for help, but all she’s doing is denying you any money...” he heaved a sigh. At least that’s the story he’d tell if need be. He’d already laid the ground work to his co-workers that he had a very private but loving marriage. Because he wasn’t close to anyone he worked with, they believed him. It would be hard for her to prove to his boss who thought they were high school sweethearts that reconnected that he was blackmailing her. “So you go ahead.” 

Jacen smirked. “Oh? So you talk about me? Must mean you miss me when I’m not around. He caught her other hand, lifting both over her head. “I’ll think about giving you back your underwear, maybe after our date. Depends on how the night ends.” He wouldn’t give them back, but it was always nice to give hope. 

He heaved a sigh when she got on her knees. “You’re so damn dramatic. You could have just sat beside me.” Jacen got up and grabbed a chair, offering out his hand to help her up and into the chair. “I pretty much ordered one of most things. To get this all in motion I had to order ahead to get my friend to set this all up. He should be coming soon with the food.”  As if right on cue his friend had come with all of his and LIv’s favorites from their childhood dates at McDonald’s. It wasn’t really a one of everything but more so an abundance of their favorites right down to their favorite drinks and even the option of water in case she no longer drank sodas. 

“I have to admit you do look amazing, but I’m just saying that dress is going to be wasted here. You do remember everything that happened here right? The best we can hope for is the world not ending or hunters waiting till next weekend to pounce.” She was still traumatized by the numerous events that had happened while they were here, those were just two of the big ones. While there was good here, there was still so much bad and dark energy that she felt the moment she step foot on campus, it was a reminder of the loss that she’d experienced again and again. She’d ended an engagement, lost a life long friend, went to her ex fiance’s funeral, watched the lives of people she’d grown up with been taken one too many times, watched her best friend die in her arms. “Can we not try to kill anyone please? I understand you hate the sad eyes, but most people are just trying to be nice, not a dick.” She explained. “It’s like it brings out the worst in us and we’re been here a total of five minutes.” She sighed heavily. She didn’t want this week to ruin any of the progress that they’d made in the past year. “I see. Well you know you could visit King without dragging us to this hell hole. Plus let’s be real you’re not here for the dog, so…” Rolling her eyes at Nina. “I’m pretty sure I’m the Roanoke Black Widow at this point given both of my ex boyfriends have ended up dead. It’s like my vagina is out here putting a death sentence on men.”

“I do remember everything that happened here. But I also remember that there are quite a few prospective ways to get use out of this dress. Mason, always an option. Jackson, definitely. Who knows maybe even Nic is here and we can finally release some of that sexual tension we were harboring for what fourteen years now. I’m determined to get my groove back death university be damned.” To be honest, there was a part of her that wanted to come because despite the bad shit that happened this was where it began. This was where her grand love had started. This was where Isaac fussed over her burn during practice. It was where he looked into her eyes and he fought his own possession to tell her that he loved her and that he wouldn’t let anything hurt her. The man that had given her such a precious little boy had been here. “I needed to come here, back to the den of horrors, because it wasn’t all bad for me. It was 90 percent a shit show. But Isaac and I fell in love here. We moved in together here and as much as I want to have some fun and get some use out of this dress. I want to relive the memories. He told me he loved me when he was possessed by an evil spirit. We had the most incredible sex after we survived a hunter attack up on the roof. We worked together to fight through another. We grieved together, we grew together. As awful as it was, our love is intertwined in that pain. And he’s not here and as much as I’d like for him to be a ghost somewhere roaming, he’s not a vengeful spirit, he has no unfinished business. This place and our home and our son are all I have to remember him by,” she said sadly. Nina chuckled. “I can try, but no promises can be made. I need their sad eyes to look at someone else. I’m in a good place. Isaac died but we had ten good years. We had ten great, happy years and yes two of those we were here at this school, but I’m not sad. I miss him, but I was lucky and the pity and sadness in people’s eyes is just annoying.” She smirked. “No, no I’m not. I’m fairly certain that the dog is so old even if I did see him, he probably wouldn’t see me.” Nina shook her head then. “Your vagina had nothing to do with it. Though why don’t you try it out this week and see if anyone else dies. I’m betting they won’t this go around.” 

“Well no need to worry about exchanging some words or punches, because nobody but you has ever called me that.” Reassuring him with a smile, she put her hand over his and gave it a squeeze. “I see. So with her being older now what have you been up to with your me time? Anything too exciting?” She asked. At his words she gave a laugh and shook her head. “Just too clarify this is you putting an invite to do whatever on the menu right? Because that certainly seems like what you’re hinting at.” Looking over at him and she raised her eyebrow as she smirked at him. “You’re right actually, we use to have a lot of fun, for the sort period that we did have that fun.” Before life got crazy and everything that once was faded, with a promise of to maybe revisit when things were different. While things were different now years later, she wasn’t sure that Javier still wanted to revisit anything. “At least now we’re both here and the end of the world isn’t approaching. Well… at least as far as I know, if it is then it’s someone else’s turn to save it.”

“Good. I would hate to ruin this reunion we’re having right now. Going to look for someone.” He was joking of course. When she gave his hand a squeeze, he smiled. “I go out more now. She’s less clingy I mean she’s  eleven so her dad can actually work on his own life now. Mostly just spend time with friends. Nothing too crazy.” Javier smirked, his brown eyes making sure to meet hers as he spoke. He took her hand in his his thumb roaming over her knuckles. “I’m saying exactly that. We’ve always lived in the moment, up on that roof all that time ago we threw caution to the wind. We could throw caution to the wind again. I mean what else is there to do here?” he wondered. “I can only reminisce over old games for so long. Why not make a new memory on top of all this old stuff?” One of the things he was trying that was new was actually taking more risks. His daughter was old enough to be a little bit more self sufficient, so now he could walk on the wild side a bit more. “If the world is ending, someone else can safe it for once. You deserve a night off from saving the world.” 

—

After all the trauma the school had brought Alex didn’t want to spend her time here, to be reminded of all that had happened in the short period of time. “You like what three or four people? Max like five.” She pointed out with a laugh. “Oh I see. Well, sounds like you might be having a fun weekend then.” Alex commented and wiggled her eyebrows at Nina. “Yes, I know you’re all about being the center of attention, but it’s part of the reason I love you.” Telling her with a laugh, despite how rocky they had started Nina and Alex had ended up each others ride or die. They’d stuck by each others sides though the loss of husbands, break ups, children, and more than could be put into words. “So should I ask who you are here to see? Or is it a surprise for me?” Questioning the woman who was next to her. “I still have lunch with Emily often, but yes I know Mason is on demand for you.” Mason had been on call as a bed buddy for Nina since the passing of her husband. “Well Ms. Ryback, are you actually going to be the next Bachelorette of Roanoke because that’s what it’s sounding like.” 

“Possibly. I didn’t leave Isaiah with his grandmother, get all dressed up, wear this exquisite dress, not to have a good time.” Nina should have been shellshocked to come back. She should have been the first one running and screaming away from here, but she chose instead to focus on the good. Had she never embraced this life, she’d never have changed. She would have never fallen in love with Isaac, and never gotten her son Isaiah out of it all. She would have never gotten into a friendship with Alex, putting aside their differences. She would have never seriously entertained the Bryants had Mason never spoken to her on the bench the day her grand mother chastised her. This place gave her more than it took. In tragedy, it gave her beauty. “There’s no other way for me. If eyes aren’t looking at me, then I have to have a wardrobe change. Though this time, I suppose they’d be looking at me with those awful sad eyes thinking ‘another death what more does she have to lose’ and then I’ll have to revert to my old ways and take their air from their lungs because then they’ll see that they also don’t have anything.” She took a breath. “Nope...no...this place does something to me. I have not taken the air from anyone’s lungs in a decade.” Nina chuckled. “Yeah...on demand is definitely a word for it. But I’m here to see Jackson. He claims our dog King misses his Mom, so what kind of co-parent would I be if I didn’t come out and show up for puppy?” Though the dog was anything but a puppy and she had no plans of seeing it, just the man that owned the dog. “At least I’m not the Roanoke Widow. I’ll take Bachelorette anyday.” 

—

At the familiar nickname Alex smiled, she wiggled her nose. “I haven’t been called that in ages.” It was a nick name that she’d missed hearing often. “Well thank you for reminding me that I’m not forgettable because you had me worried for a second.” She told him with a laugh, she moved the long blonde hair out of her face. “It’s not that. I just figured you know dad life would keep you busy and you wouldn’t have time for all of this.” Gesturing to all the magic that was going on around them as people celebrated. “Caught that single you slipped in there.” Alex noted before taking a drink from her glass. It was true by the end she’d practically ran out of here, but here she was sitting at the bar drinking in the place she swore she’d never return. “I’m going to blame Nina on this. I protested, but we’re a package deal for anywhere we go, so here I am. At least I’m not trying to run out of here again tho? That’s a plus right? Plus I haven’t almost destroyed magic this time so we’re certainly ahead of last time I was here.” 

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“Well, I’d like to hope not. If another man has taken my nickname for you, we’ll have to exchange some words and some punches,” he joked. “Dad life keeps me busy, but if I don’t take time for me I’ll never have much of a life. Besides, my daughter is older now, she can do without me for a bit without crying every time I leave a room.” Javier did not miss the baby phase, the separation anxiety phase. Those were triumphs in themselves that he didn’t turn into a hermit and vow to never leave his child right then and there. “Well...you know, I have to subliminally let you know, because I doubt you would have asked.” Javier looked at her then, a smirk on his face. “All the time you spent here wasn’t so bad was it? We always seemed to have a good time together, without the end of the world’s approach, right?” 

—

“I stand my my statement you are the worst mastermind ever. Okay so? You married me to try and get money. Congratulations on getting me so drunk that I said yes. Seems like you’re living a real happy life yourself there, Mr. Todd.” She pointed out. She crossed her arms over her chest. “Stop.” She warned. 

“Please again I was drunk. The witnesses that you’re going on about were also probably drunk.” Despite his words Liv refused to believe him, she couldn’t be that dumb right? Plus there was no way he would have video of this ordeal, right? She questioned herself repeatedly. “Fine show me it then.” Deciding to call his bluff on it. If he did have the tape then the worst case she’d just make a bigger fool of herself. “Your terms were never reasonable, which is why we are here. You’re never getting the money.” She informed him. “Because I love my money more than I hate this clearly.” That wasn’t true. She actually hated this a lot, but there was something comforting about always knowing he’d appear on their anniversary. 

At his words Liv actually was shocked. He was reserving a table for them and actually being nice? Who was he? Just as she started to melt she heard the words McDonald’s and it was over. “I hate you.” She huffed at his words. Staring down at him and her nails dug into his shoulder and she focused into make sure a claw didn’t impale him even though it would have probably been a blessing. “You’re not taking those to diner.” She remarked and tried to grab them from his pocket. “At least leave them here and don’t take them like some cheap award. Plus those are ninety dollar panties.” She informed him as she tried to reach and fish them from his pocket. 

“Clearly. We’ve already hit about half of the things I’ve never done on a first date before leaving the house, so I can only imagine how this is going to go.” Crossing her arms over her chest once more as she mentioned his bike. “You’ve got to be…” She trialed off when he smacked her ass and gave it a squeeze. Despite how much she actually did like it she made sure to give him an annoyed glance. “Fine.” Grabbing the helmet from him and she put it on despite the fact it would ruin her hair and clashed with her outfit. Putting a hand on his shoulder, she climbed onto the bike behind him and settled in. Putting both of her arms around his waist, she rested her head on his should. “Try to kill us tonight, hubby.” 

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“Oh I didn’t get you drunk, sweetheart, you were well on your way by yourself. I also didn’t suggest marriage. I simply sweet talked your drunken hot mess of a self until you wanted it.” Jacen shrugged. “My life was crap before. It’s crap now, what’s the difference? Except there’s a guaranteed pay day at the end of this,” he assured, knowing for certain that he would eventually get what he wanted out of her. 

His brow rose. “Were they? Because you wouldn’t know. And I’m very convincing. All I had to do was spin a story about how you were my high school sweetheart, and that we were wanting to make things official and you got so excited you drank far too much. People hung on my every word.” Of course there was some truth to what he’d said, and who she had used to be to him. But he wasn’t some love struck guy anymore. He was jaded and hurt and had experience so much loss. “This isn’t show and tell. No. I’m keeping my evidence nice and safe.” Jacen chuckled. “I’ll get it one way or another. You’ll get tired of being alone, of never having a connection because who wants a woman that’s already married, to a cop. That won’t hesitate to ruin them? That reminds me, I should take out a life insurance policy...you know just in case I out live you and I get my money that way.” 

When she told him she hated him, he smirked. “Talking dirty to me now? I’m touched.” He knew that he was getting under her skin, even if she didn’t show it. When she tried to reach for her underwear in his pocket he caught her hand by the wrist. “Getting frisky, aren’t we? I am taking them. And ninety dollars? Yeah I’m keeping them. You pay this much for some panties but can’t give me even a fraction of what you owe me?” A smirk found its way onto his features. “You’ll get them back...depends on how you behave yourself tonight.” He chuckled knowing that they wouldn’t see the light of day. 

He drove fast, loving the feeling of the wind zipping past. It almost gave hime the thrill of being able to fly. It hadn’t taken long to get to their destination. When they arrived, he got off his bike, offering to help her off as well. He offered her his arm, as he headed straight for a sectioned off portion of McDonald’s that was just for them. His friend had hooked him up with a side all to itself roped off from anyone else entering. They had an assortment of everything on the menu. They even had candles and low light. It was a half booth, but the chair on the other side was missing. He slid in and said, “Looks like my lap might be the best seat in the house.” 

“You are not that good of a mastermind, Jacen. Plus what mastermind actually tells the person they’re conning the con. That’s the worst mastermind in history.” Rolling her eyes at his words. He’d already revealed his plans to her and she was going to do everything she could to make sure he never got anything from her but a signature on their divorce papers. “Eww— could you be more gross?” She asked with annoyance.

“Now I know you’re lying.” Shaking her head no as she stepped up to him and refuted his words. There was no way that she’d propose to Jacen Todd of all people. He’d been a pain in her ass since the day she married him, she refused to believe that she was responsible for putting him in her life. Which she was partly because she’d married him, but that was all a technicality. “Do you have proof that I proposed to you? Because I don’t think you do.” She challenged. “Very reasonable terms? Have you lost your mind? Seven million is not reasonable terms by any standards, Jacen. Well eight now I’m sure since you’ve probably upped it.” Crossing her arms with a sigh at his words. “You don’t have anything either. So we can throw nothing at our lawyers some more and continue to not sign divorce papers. At least you saved me some money this years.” Which she was thankful that she didn’t have to spend her time in court this year. Instead she’d spent it sulking at home over her parents death and the anniversary that was coming up. “Sure— let’s see how good your pull is. Remember people can be bought, even judges, and only one of us here has money.” Pointing to herself with a smirk. “Which you’ll never get my love.”

“What the actual fuck?” Sighing loudly at his words, she couldn’t believe she’d actually fallen for this bullshit. Of course they were going to McDonald’s of all places. “Reversed a table at McDonald’s? That’s not even possible. You just walk in and there’s tables Jacen. It isn’t some fancy restaurant.” Huffing at his words, she couldn’t believe that they were going to McDonald’s. He could have at least sprung for Olive Garden or Applebee’s but no they were going to McDonald’s like a couple of freshman who were skipping class. “I’m only wearing this because I can’t get out of it alone.” The dress really was a pain and the ass to get off without assistance. Watching him walk around her and she raised an eyebrow at him. “You walking around me like some serial killer. If you’re going to kill me you might as well do it.” She knew he wasn’t actually going to kill her. He’d had eight years and had yet to do it. “What are you doing?” She asked when his hands went up her thighs, she had to admit the feeling of his hands on her was nice. When he asked for approval she stared at him for a moment, she eventually have a nod to give him permission. “What the fu—“ Putting her hands to his shoulders, she dug her nails into his skin. Biting her bottom lip to fight back a moan, she refused to give him what he wanted. After a moment she let out a high pitched noise, she squirmed to get away from his teasing fingers. “Asshole.” She muttered under her breath when he kneeled down and pulled down her underwear. Looking down at him to see if he was serious, when she noticed he was she gave a heavily sigh. “Fine.” Stepping back before she moved her hair out of her face, tugged at her dress to pull it down. “Welp not like I usually have them on anyways. You can keep them tho. They’ll be the only thing you actually get out of me.” When he smacked her ass again she turned back to give him an evil look. “Yes, I’m ready. Are you? Because no date is ever going to compare to this Jacen Todd.” Smirking over at him before she opened their front door and walked out. “So we taking my car?”

“Am I not? Married you, made your life miserable.  That makes it almost as enjoyable as I imagine that it will when you give me my money. Which you will.” He rolled his eyes at her words about if he could be more gross. “Yes, actually I can.” He shrugged his shoulders. Smirking over at her. This, hearing that annoyance in her voice made his life even better, made him feel live.

“There were witnesses. Sweetheart, you were all over me.  Face facts. I also made sure we were in a public place might have been years ago but maybe they still got security tapes from way back when in some archives somewhere, who knows. Might need to see if I can dig ‘em up just for you.”  He was teasing and even bluffing, doubting that they would keep useless security feed from eight years ago on an uneventful day where nothing happened out of the ordinary. “Hey, my terms were reasonable years ago You’re the only one that made it unreasonable. You could have gotten rid of me a long time ago. And my pull goes pretty damn far around here. And at this point, alleged money because for someone who hates me so much, why not give it up and get me out of the way?” He countered.

“You’ll see. I reserved a table. Just shut up and wait til we get there, damn. You’ll like it. Everything doesn’t have to be fucking fancy and you can wear the dress. Mcdonald’s doesn’t exactly have a dress code,” he pointed out. He rolled his eyes at her words. But his signature smirk was still on his face as he watched hers. He hadn’t expected her to dig her nails into his skin which he found hot as fuck, but he didn’t  let his face give way to it before. He twirled her underwear around his finger when he picked them up and put them in his pocket. “Well, I mean that’s the point, no date will ever be quite like this.” He followed her out and when she asked about whether they were taking the care he shook his head. “Nope, we’re taking my bike.” He smacked her ass his hand not leaving her backside, giving it a rough squeeze. “Hop on. Got you a helmet and everything.”

“I see. Well let me just inform you that this outcome isn’t going to work out in your favor.” She corrected to let him know while he might have worked other outcomes in his favor he wasn’t getting this one from her. Crossing her arms over her chest, she rolled her eyes at his words. “Are you seriously quoting The Official right now when you’re talking about sex?” Liv questioned. “You’re an annoyance, Sugar.” Shooting an annoying pet name back at him.

“Please I gave you enough. Every court in this world is going to side with me.” She poked him in the chest roughly. “Plus I have receipts of everything so try me, sweetheart.” She smirked over at him. “Don’t worry I’ll make sure our judge is a very straight and very single male. I’ll also make sure that I show up to court everyday in a short black mini skirt or dress.” She warned with a wicked grin. “Try me, hubby.”

Liv looked back at him impatiently while she waited for him to decide if he was going to help her or not. When he finally agreed to and came over she gathered her hair to the side so it was out of the way. “Thank you.” She said simply. Shivers ran down her spine when he touched her bare back, she jerked forward slightly in her heels. She was just about to warn him to zip the dress up already when she felt the zipper going up. When he smacked her butt Liv felt confusion wash over her. While it was hot and she did like it, it was coming from Jacen of all people. Raising an eyebrow at him when she turned to look at him and she let her hair fall to her back. “Are you fucking serious? Ugh— I fucking hate you.” Liv sighed heavily, she threw her clutch down on the table. Looking over at him with an annoyed expression, she put both hands on her hips. “I’m not going going to spin.” Shaking her head to show him that she wasn’t doing it. “This whole fucking dress needs to come off because I’m not wearing this to McDonalds.” Sighing once more when he told her one thing was off. “What is off?” She asked, she looked down at herself, everything looked okay from her view. “Sure why not.” Shrugging at his words, it’s not like she cared anymore anyways. This dress was coming off before they went to dinner anyways.

“Let me just inform you that, I’m a mastermind and it will. Just remember what I said,” he vowed. She didn’t realize it but it very well might happen. “I’m proud that I am. That’s the goal, Sweetheart.” He grinned smugly and proudly.

“Actually they won’t. You proposed to me, we got hammered and got married. You won’t agree to my very reasonable terms of divorce, so we don’t divorce. You may have receipts that you bought things but where’s the proof that you gave them to me?” he questioned. “I’m the on that has an in with the judges and lawyers, babe. I’ll make sure we find one that doesn’t appeal to short skirts and dresses.”

“You sure act like you are. I mean you intentionally punish me so why would I tell you anything. It’s just something else that you’ll use against me.” Her words were sharp and icy. He really had the nerve to act like he wasn’t the judge and jury when that’s all he’d ever been when it came to her. “Because it’s your thing? I see you look at me. Every time I talk I see it in your eyes. You hate my existence and the more I talk the more it’s presence.” Looking down at her hands, she fiddled with her nails. “I don’t know…”Trailing off for a moment. She reached her hand forward to touch his face, she somehow hoped that this would help her make sense of it all. Resting her hand on his cheek, she studied every inch of face. Rubbing her thumb over his cheek, she tilted her head. The more she started at him the more he felt like a puzzle that she couldn’t quite complete. “Nevermind.” Letting her hand drop away from his face, she moved off of his lap so she was leaning back against the headboard. Not bothering to answer him and she just shrugged. “You’re never really going to divorce me are you? I could give you the money tomorrow, but you still wouldn’t.” Liv spoke slowly, her icy blue eyes were back on him. “If we divorced you’d lose the one person you know is always going to be around. I mean I show up ever year to divorce court.” She knew she was drunkenly rambling at this point, but the word vomit wouldn’t stop. “I think you’re just as lonely as I am at the end of the day.” Shifting so she was turned away from him and she brought her knees to her chest. Staying curled up in herself as she sat on top of the blankets, she stared at the blank wall. 

“You’ve never asked yourself why, huh?” His shoulders rose and fell. “You’re kind of…really self absorbed, since we’re talking about things that the other person is. And not very observant,” he pointed out. The boy with the same blue eyes that she’d looked into as a teenager was staring at her, and she just…didn’t see it. “I can’t really help the way I react to you.” And he did dislike her more sometimes the she spoke. The more time he spent in her presence because that’s all he had to hold onto. It was almost like a living torture to be forgotten, to have no one from a past life and the one person that is still here, doesn’t even remember who you are. For a moment though, when her hand touched his face, he actually leaned into her touch. Almost holding his breath as she looked at him. When she dropped her hand and said never mind he was so confused by the moment. But he knew that she didn’t remember him. “I might, you should test the theory and see,” he told her, avoiding an actual answer to the statement. “If I’m just as lonely as you, would you? If I agreed to divorce you right now?” he asked, knowing full well the answer to the question in the moment of honesty between the two. It was a situation that he knew even if she didn’t remember him, they were two sad individuals in a fucked up little game that deep down they both enjoyed. “You like it, don’t you? That security of knowing every year without fail we do the same thing. You don’t give me the money because it could end.” He was observant too.  

Andrea laughed, putting her phone in her purse. “I think just about everyone in the precinct hates paperwork,” she said with a laugh. “Thankfully, it’s just a report review. They need a second opinion on the case before it gets submitted to the DA. But I appreciate the almost-gesture.”

“You know the way they portray us on tv? Where it’s all action not a dull moment, I wish for that. But what they should do is have an episode where it’s all paperwork because that’s real life. I’m glad you appreciate the almost-gesture. Other than the paperwork, how’s your day going?”

Now he couldn’t help but laugh, shaking his head a little bit. “Oh I strongly doubt you are that good at reading people now. Because I am not that guy at all. Nice try though buddy.” Lifting his beer to his lips, he took a long drink before setting it back down. 

“Actually I am pretty awesome at reading people. I’m a police officer that loves to read people. You started with a tough guy thing. Then corrected yourself, offering to buy me a drink. You’re trying to be two sides of a coin,” he said honestly. “Which still doesn’t negate the fact that if you’re going with the whole nice guy act I stand by my initial Rom-Com statement.”