Chapter 2

While I waited for it to boot up, I read the messages he had given me. Most were for maintenance, along with a few requests for quotes. As I logged into my email account, I thought about Corey Brennerman. Guy like that was wound up tight, always tense. I used to be like him, but had learned the hard way how important it was to put myself first, and not let what I did for a living rule my life or ruin my health.

At four o’clock, I sent Jimmy home as usual, made some return calls about quotes, and set up appointments. I locked up the office at six o’clock and headed upstairs to my two-bedroom apartment. The place was a little messy, but it was mine.

I bought the building eight years ago after making the decision to quit the finance business. Too many sleepless nights and anxiety attacks led me to the decision that my health and well-being were much more important than earning six figures.

I’d always enjoyed being outdoors, and especially loved anything to do with water. So after I quit my finance job and worked on getting my head back together, I searched for something that would be satisfying and still let me sleep at night. I found Neptune’s Pool Service for sale, and the rest was history.

Looking into my refrigerator showed me I needed groceries. God, I hatedshopping. No help for it, though. I grabbed my wallet, keys, and cell phone, and headed out.

* * * *

“Ran out of groceries again, didn’t you?” This from Tina, the sixty-year-old grandmother of three who rang up my items an hour later.

“You know I hate shopping. I always put it off until I’m absolutely desperate.” I tapped my discount card on the machine.

“You need a man around to remind you to do it. Better yet, do it foryou. Good-looking guy like you, shouldn’t be a problem finding somebody.” It was an old conversation.

“You’d think. Apparently they’re all taken, the guys with half a brain.”

“Your total is one hundred thirty dollars and ten cents. Don’t give up on men, honey. There’s someone out there who’s perfect for you.”

I handed Tina a hundred dollar bill and a fifty. She gave me the change and a receipt.

“You have a good night.” She waved me on.

I thanked the guy who bagged my groceries and pushed my cart out of the store.

The parking lot was deserted as I walked toward my truck. I was almost at the cab when I heard someone yell. I turned to see a man chasing another guy across the deserted parking lot, heading in my direction.

“Stop that guy! He stole my phone!”

I left my cart where it was and ran toward the thief before he could change direction, just managing to tackle him to the ground. The air left my body with a whoosh when we hit the hard surface. The skinny guy beneath me grunted in pain, and then tried to wiggle away from me.

“Get off me, man! I didn’t donuthin’!”

The guy tried to buck me off—which was funny since I was twice his size—but I moved to sit on his legs with a hand pressing into his back until the victim ran up to me, out of breath. It was Corey Brennerman.

“He stole my fucking phone. Where is it, you little punk?” He kicked the thief in the side with one of his pointed-toe shoes. I was almost impressed that he could run in those things. Desperation could be a mother, though.

“Ow! That hurt, motherfucker!” the punk whined.

“Hey!” I grabbed Corey’s leg and stopped him from doing further damage. “That’s enough. He’s not going anywhere. Look at the size of him compared to me. I’ve got this.”

Corey shook me off. “Where’s my fucking phone, you little shit?”

“Back off,” I ordered him. I understood his anger, but now it was over the top. When he finally did as I asked, I turned my attention back to the guy underneath me, leaning forward and grabbing hold of both wrists to hold in one of my hands.

“You want to give the man back his phone? Or should I call the police? Or maybe,” I leaned closer to his ear and whispered, “Maybe I’ll let this guy kick you again, until you start talking. What’ll it be?”

The guy struggled a little bit more, probably for show, then said, “It’s in my pants pocket. On the left side.”

Corey bent down and reached into the pocket and found his phone, safe and sound.

“Let me go, man! I gave him back his preciousphone,” the guy griped.