“I know but your table and chair looks nicer here, and it makes it easier for people to get in and out your front door,” I argue.
“Don’t know how you put up with her,” he mutters to Vegas.
My man smiles at me. “We both know I’m a lucky man, Gramps. Be nice.”
The gravel crunches, and I turn seeing a police cruiser park behind my car. It’s been over a month since the fire. I suspect that the detective is here to tell me that they’ve identified the body. I already know it was Matt. He set that fire. We’ve not seen nor heard from him since and his car was found abandoned about a block away from the bakery the next day.
The older man exits the car.
“What’d you do?” Gramps looks to Vegas.
“Nothing. Calm down. It’s about the fire.”
“Hmmph. Move my table and chair back,” he gruffs and goes to the front door. “Can’t stand the damn nosy ass police sniffing around.”
I giggle at him. He’s such a character.
“All right,” Vegas tells him.
I cut my gaze to him after Gramps gets in the house out of hearing. I knock my hip on that chair every single time I come in and out of the house. Vegas winks at me and starts moving the chair but to the opposite side.
The detective makes it to the steps. “Morning folks.”
“Detective,” I greet, and Vegas gives him a nod.
“Guess you know why I’m here. I wanted to let you know that the cause of the fire was arson and we have positively identified the perpetrator as Matt Bowling. We believe that when he was splashing the accelerant in the kitchen area, he managed to either step in it or douse himself with it and when he lit the match well you can work out the rest. You folks were lucky the bakery didn’t use gas, or he would’ve blown the building up. The investigation is closed. There’s just one thing. We found pictures of Mr. Bowling in female clothing and a wig. It appears he was impersonating you. Were you missing personal belongings?”
“Nothing important.” I give him a faint smile. Matt was dressing up like me? I don’t even know what to say to that.
“Thank you, sir,” Vegas dismisses him.
“Enjoy your day.” He turns to go back to his car.
I sink to the top step of the porch.
“You okay, Sweet Ass?”
My stomach churns. Bile rises in my throat. “I knew what the detective was going to say, I just can’t wrap my head around the fact that Matt could hate me so much. We were friends at least.” I shake my head. I think it’s finally hitting me. The reality of the situation and grief. Vegas sits behind me, his legs falling to either side of me. I sag back to chest and his arms close around me. His lips moving to my temple as he combs my hair back.
“It’s okay to be sad that he died and to feel confused about that, baby. You cared about him. There’s no shame in that.”
“I just wish he’d told me. I wouldn’t have judged him for being who he was.”
“I didn’t know him, but I think maybe he couldn’t accept who he was, and it was easier for him to lash out you than to accept his own truth. Who knows why people do the things they do?”
“Thank you.”
“For what?” He gazes down at me as I look upward at him.
“For being you. For not letting me push you away these past few weeks when I’ve been sorting through my feelings.”
“Told you, Sweet Ass. You’re mine. I’m your man and that includes being your rock or spanking your ass if you need it.” He grins and brings those lips I love to kiss down to mine. “Come on, I’m starving.” He taps my thigh.
“I don’t know if I can eat right now.” I stand and turn to face him as he gets up.
“Who said anything about food.” He reaches around cupping my ass possessively. I smile but it isn’t a full smile. “Let’s go turn that frown upside down.”
I don’t fight him.