No More Games
Chapter One
Jack was knocked out of his reverie by Bobby's hand landing on his desktop with a loud crack. His lost brown eyes shot up to meet the sparkling ones of his best friend.
Bobby was already slipping into his coat by the time Jack was able to register that it was happening. "Ready to go?"
Go? "Where?"
Bobby's cool green eyes didn't lose a hint of his sparkle, but they did narrow slightly in confusion. "Dinner. Day's over. We told Sue we'd take her out to dinner, remember?"
"Er…" Actually, no. He didn't remember. Of course if someone asked him what he'd eaten for breakfast and he probably couldn't remember that either. In fact… had he eaten breakfast?
"You are coming, aren't you, Jack?"
Whatever fog had crept up into his mind quickly dissipated at that single question. Clearing his throat, Jack leaned back in his chair, his eyes shifting to the beautiful blonde barely visible behind Bobby's right shoulder. She was peering behind his best friend's tall frame and smiling that sweet little smile that caused his blood to pump just a little bit faster.
"Of course, you don't have to if you don't want to," Sue quickly amended. "With the week you've had, I wouldn't blame you for just wanting to go home and relax." Even as she said that, he could clearly see how it would affect her if he didn't attend dinner.
He couldn't bear to see a frown grace those beautiful lips of hers again because of him.
He would go.
Even if he fell asleep in his soup, he would go.
"Actually, I was just thinking that I could use a night out." His apartment would only remind him of the sleepless nights he'd had all this week. "I just need to make a stop on the way," he added as he stood up from his desk and reached for his coat.
"Would you mind some company? Levi could certainly use a walk before dinner."
Jack found his mouth curling into a smile as he slipped one arm into a leather sleeve. He couldn't believe how awkward the sensation felt. The bullpen had been shrouded in a somber gloom since Sue had decided to take the job in New York so smiled and laughter had been few and far between.
Especially for him.
A stress-free night with his friends/coworkers and the woman who constantly haunted his dreams was probably just what he needed to bring the Jack Hudson they all knew and—hopefully—loved back out again. And perhaps a bit of alone time with Sue would allow him to finish what he'd started out in the hallway.
He slipped his other arm into the other sleeve and settled his coat over his shoulders. "Sure. I'd love some company."
He slung his hood up around his head to shield himself from winter's icy grip upon the city. Large white fluffy flakes fluttered down from an overcast sky, only adding to the shimmering mounds of powder that already lay on the ground.
He didn't really care about the weather.
He ignored the snow as it swirled around his body and kept his focus on the building across the street.
Washington First National Trust & Loan.
That was his goal. Standing proud and tall in front of him, it was almost like the blasted building was taunting him.
He'd walked past everyday, admiring its structural design, though more than anything, he was admiring one of its clerks that could clearly be seen through the large front windows. She was the reason why he was standing on the outside, looking in.
Her name was Shannon. She was a goddess among mortals with long, silky legs and long flowing hair. Her eyes shined like emeralds when she smiled and her voice was so intoxicating with that sweet little accent of hers.
He ran his tongue over the pocket of his lower lip before spitting on the sidewalk.
He'd done everything possible to get closer to her; to get her to notice him. He'd sent her flowers and candy—he'd even moved his money to this specific bank so he could see her everyday.
And every time they came face-to-face, she acted like she didn't know who he was!
Growling deep within his throat, he turned away from the street and entered the convenience store.
That had been the last straw. He'd been pushed into the shadows for far too long. Now it was his turn in the limelight.
Satisfaction rolled over him like an extra soft blanket as he stepped up to the counter, one of his hands cradling the bundle hidden inside his sweatshirt. He offered the checkout girl a kind smile as he asked for a pack of smokes.
No more rejection.
"Will there be anything else?" she asked as she rang up the pack.
No more name calling.
He pulled a five-spot out of his wallet and tossed it on the counter while at the same time palming his pack. The kindness of his smile instantly sifted to something more sinister. "Yes. You're going to want to call the police. I'm about to rob the bank across the street."
No more games.