Soldier On

A foot tapped rapidly on the ground, knowing by now all too well what was coming, and so he should have, he’d lost count of the amount of times he’d been shoved under the bucket.. The sting of the ice, the quick spread of goosebumps across his skin, not to mention what came after it was gone against the slight breeze. “I swear..–” Too late. Water cascaded over him, Jimmy biting down on his tongue as he growled in somewhat of an amused manner. It was almost instantaneous, him shooting up from his seat. “Done… I’m done. Never again. I volunteer all of you assholes for the next lot, I’ll pay it forward.” Despite his audible distaste, the smirk on his lips was unmovable, the laugh hidden between words pushing through pursed lips as he wrung out the hem of his shirt.

“Oh come on Atwood, don’t be such a kill joy. Pick up the bottom lip from the floor before you trip over it.“ Shane countered, unable to contain his laughter as the now drowned rat of a male emerged from the tank.

Max regarded the next person in line with a playful look. He hadn’t yet had his turn to be put under ice water, but his some of his friends and colleagues had been — and just the sight of them were making people come towards the booth. Between them and this person in line, there were only two of them dry enough at the moment. With a smile, he took the donation handed him and said, “So. Are you going under the water, or is someone else?”

Shane groaned at the expression of his male counterpart, rolling his eyes in reply as he hauled off his shirt and stepped up to the dunk tank. “I’ll take one for the team.“

“I feel I should just be really up front and say that I don’t like to lose, so I don’t. Still want to play?” She held up the tickets she had at the booth, a good-natured grin on her lips as she raised a brow at the other. 

“I don’t know what’s more amusing-- the fact you think you’re going to win or the fact you think I’d back down.“

“Do it, and I will skin you alive and turn you into a purse!” Aubree warned the child who’d somehow gotten ahold of a water gun and had it directed towards her. He laughed and her gaze narrowed. “You think I’m kiddin——” A gasp erupted from her lips as the frigid water hit her chest and soaked the white dressed she’d put on. “Fucking little brat!” the blonde screeched as he ran away giggling. Turning quickly to find the nearest bathroom, the blonde found herself stumbling into someone and almost landing in a pile of dirt. “Jesus Mother of Christ. Do you even ever look where you’re going?”

“Is there a problem here?“

“One hundred percent you would lie to me. And you’re harassing me, is what,” she joked, taking a sip of her water as she leaned against the bar top, “yeah? What am I supposed to be waiting for?”

“I would never. But thanks for having the utmost faith in me Atwood, it’s highly appreciated.“ He returned, tone teasing as he toyed with the bottle in his hands. “Only time will tell.”

Suddenly pausing in her stride, Delilah veered off the sidewalk and neared a tree to read a Lost / Stolen Pet sign. “Fifteen hundred dollars? Seriously? I could use this money.” Delilah announced before tugging the poster off. Someone in the neighborhood was missing their Labradoodle. “We’re going to find Luca. I’ll give you 0% of the reward. C’mon!”

“Got a twin brother who lives in town too— He just moved here a few weeks back. And my older brother has been visiting for a couple of weeks, but they both like watching me suffer… Hence why I’m asking you, Mr. Stranger for help.”

“Sounds to me like they’re just to pussy to man up and deal with the situation. Fine-- I’ll do it. Lead the way. And for the record it’s Shane..“

“Wait you’re an officer? That’s hot,” Tom murmed, more to himself. “I was actually going to say that I stillgot work later, but I can’t say no to an officer now can I?”

“Actually I’m a detective, if you want to get technical..“ Shane shrugged before slipping his phone into his pocket. “And an off-duty one for the record.“