Chapter 2
Eddie pulled into the 2-9 about 30 minutes earlier than she needed to. Because she had extra time, she decided to sit in her car, and think over what the conversation she'd just had.
What the hell had just happened? Did she really just end her less-than-year-old relationship with who she thought was the love of her life? What the fuck was she going to do?
As she continued thinking about the conversation, she realized she'd started to cry. Normally, she would've wiped away her tears, in fear that someone would see her, but she decided to just let herself cry. If she didn't get it out now, at least a little bit, it would eat away at her.
After about 15 minutes of crying, she wiped her tears, took a few deep breaths, and went inside to get changed into her uniform. After she'd changed, she stared down at her left hand. Was it too soon? She didn't know why, but she slowly slid the silver ring off her finger, and placed it on the top shelf of her locker. After giving it one last look, she closed her locker and walked of the locker room.
She went to the break room and poured herself a cup of coffee. While she was there, she saw Rachel.
"Hey Eddie. How're you?" Rachel asked, a small smile on her face.
"I'm good. What about you?" Eddie asked. Obviously she wasn't good, but she wasn't ready to tell anyone yet. A few moments after she'd asked, she'd brought the cup up to her lips, taking a drink.
"I'm good. Where's your ring?" Rachel questioned, noticing Eddie's left hand was bare.
"Um, it's getting a little loose. I didn't want to lose it, so I left it in my locker." She lied.
"Oh. Ok."
Rachel walked away, and the two didn't see each again until role call.
"Witten, Janko. You two will be riding together today. Patrol post 7." McNichols said.
"Yes, Serg." Rachel said, acknowledging the Sergeant's command.
Once role call was over, Rachel and Eddie got into the RMP and started their patrol. About an hour into shift, Rachel finally started a conversation.
"So, how's everything been? We haven't ridden together in awhile."
"Life's been pretty good. Busy, but good." Eddie lied.
"How's Jamie? Have you two talked about children yet?" She pressed.
"Jamie's, um, good. We haven't really talked about children yet." Eddie lied, again.
"Why do I feel like you're lying to me? I mean, you know you can feel if anything's wrong, right?"
Eddie sighed before answering.
"You feel like I'm lying to you, before I am. The truth is, things haven't been great."
"What's wrong?"
"Jamie and I are taking a break right now."
"Are you gonna get a divorce?"
"I don't know yet. We just decided to take a break today. We don't know anything yet."
"What happened? I thought you two were doing well."
"I think we just went into all of this too fast. We didn't really think things through well enough, or get to know each well enough. Things are just bad right now."
"I'm sorry, Eddie. If you ever want to talk, just ask. People say I'm a good listener."
"Thanks Rachel. Right now, I think I just need to get through this by myself, at least for now. But I do appreciate your offer, and maybe one day I'll take you up on it."
"I hope everything turns out alright."
"Yeah, me too."
The conversation was dropped for the rest of the shift. Luckily, the shift went by fairly quickly and painlessly.
After shift, Eddie didn't want to go home, so she decided to go to a bar she hadn't been to since before the engagement.
"What can I get for you, darling?" The bartender asked, as Eddie at down at a barstool. The bartender was an older lady with a slight southern accent.
"Um, can I get a shot of tequila?"
"Sure."
The bartender poured a shot that Eddie then quickly downed. She put the glass back on the table, singling she wanted another. The bartender filled it again. After the fourth shot, Eddie started easing up a little.
"Rough night?" Asked a voice.
Eddie looked good her left and saw a guy. He looked about 30. He had dark brown eyes, dirty blonde hair, and a very defined jawline. He was a little taller than Jamie.
"Yeah, I guess."
"My name's Oliver. What's your's?"
Wow, this guy was being so straightforward.
"Eddie."
Oliver reached up and offered his hand to Eddie. She shook it, and noticed a tattoo of John 3:16 on his hand. At least he was somewhat of a gentleman.
"So, can I buy you a drink?" He asked, taking a seat next to Eddie.
"Um, sure."
"Ok. I'll have whatever the lady's having." Oliver said to the bartender.
"Whiskey on the rocks." Eddie requested.
"Coming right up." The bartender said, as she gathered the drinks.
"So, what do you do?" Oliver asked, turning to Eddie.
"I'm at cop."
"Cool. I like strong women."
Eddie slightly chuckled. Could this guy be anymore straightforward?
"What about you?"
"I'm a doctor. A pediatric surgeon."
"Wow, much more impressive than a cop."
"Really? I disagree."
"You literally save kids lives. I just arrest people and give people tickets." Eddie meant that as a joke, but it didn't really come out that way.
"Well, I'd gladly be arrested by you any day." Oliver said, as he leaned in to kiss Eddie.
Eddie flinched backwards, away from the impending kiss. Was she ready for this? She'd been on a break from her marriage for less than 24 hours. Was it too soon? Regardless of whether it was too soon or not, she needed something to get her mind off of Jamie. What the hell? Jamie never had to know. What he doesn't know won't hurt him.
She leaned into the kiss. Without even realizing it, they were making out right there in the bar.
"Come to my place. I'll give you the time of your life."
Eddie simply nodded. Oliver reached into his wallet and pulled out a 50.
"Keep the change." Oliver said to the bartender.
The two walked out to Oliver's car. They didn't talk the entire 15 minutes it took to get to his apartment. Once inside, they picked up right where they left off. Before they knew it, they had ended up in bed together, tangled in the sheets.
Eddie woke up the next morning with a massive headache and a pit of guilt in her stomach. She looked over to her right, and saw Oliver there. He was still sleeping. She carefully got out of bed, put her clothes back on, and snuck out.