“I know.” Dana didn’t mean for the conversation to get so heavy. But Stanton was always mentioned when they got together. The two of them being at Applebee’s sparked nostalgia for when all three of them used to come together. He was gone but he would never be forgotten. “How’s your mom doing? Is she ready to disown me?”
“Almost. You haven’t seen her in a while. I told her you were on a big case. She has a new chair she’s dying to show you.” Sway inched back when the server brought their entrees. The burger was smoking hot and it smelled heavenly. “It’s a new power wheelchair. She’s all over the place now. She goes to the market up the street, to Walmart. All by herself, now. She’s so proud, Dana.”
Dana smiled. That was good news. Sway’s mom had rheumatoid arthritis, so she could no longer walk, and the joints in her hands were so bad it was becoming more difficult to push the wheels in her non-electric chair. “She still doing her therapy?”
“Every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. She’s trying to keep as much strength as she can, but it’s a hard battle,” Sway said around a mouthful of burger, juice dripping down his chin that he didn’t bother to wipe away. He may be pretty but his eating habits were all manly. “I’ll tell my mom you’re coming to see her real soon. Now, moving on. What’s got those dark spots under your eyes and your forehead crinkled?”
“A man.”
Sway’s big eyes widened comically. “A man! Oh wait… wait… don’t say another word.” Sway ordered two shots of Patrón and their third beers.
“Damn, man. I’m not depressed about it.” Dana smiled, thanking the waitress for the fresh glasses she placed in front of their half-eaten dinners.
“These are celebration shots!” Sway laughed and held up his shot glass. “If you’re even considering dating a guy again, I’m celebrating.”
While they drank top shelf tequila and ate their burgers Dana told his best friend all about his new crush. And yes, that’s exactly what it was… a crazy crush. He admitted to the nervousness in his stomach when he knew he was about to see Ford. The sparring match that had ended with him pinned and completely submissive to Ford’s control. He told him how Ford insisted he deserved better than Jessica. Even described Ford’s look from his cropped cut, to how big his boots were. He confessed to the way he infuriated Dana by calling him kid and telling him to grow up.
“Sounds like he’s flirting back to me.” Sway chuckled around a deep belch. He hit his fist against his chest and let another go. “So, you gonna go for it?”
“I don’t know, man. He’s pretty wound up.”
“What do you mean? You said he’s military, does he have some PTSD issues?”
Dana shook his head. “No, not that I know of. He works fine around the crazy shit we have to deal with. Even his brother, who’s mute, does fine. They seem to be okay, compared to how a lot of those guys come back. He’s so driven and professional. Ford was like the shit when he was enlisted, too. He had rank and he saved lives. Maybe I’m overshooting, here. He’s kinda awesome.” Dana stopped and hid his blush around taking a large drink of water when he realized he was gushing over Ford, and his friend was looking quite amused as he did.
“You’re kinda awesome too, D. That’s why I don’t like Jess, because she makes you feel like you aren’t. You pulled yourself up by your bootstraps despite how your dad constantly came down on you. You can shoot like no one’s business and you’re recognized for it. Has Ford seen your marksman awards?” Sway waved his hand in the air, continuing his point, not looking for a response. “You save lives too, every day. Keeping those batshits off the streets. I think Ford probably recognizes that. The issue is not if you’re equally matched, like you questioned with you and Jess. The question is can you really have something with him? Can this actually go the distance? You’ve had quite a bit of fun in the sex department, if you know what I mean, no shortage of bunnies over the last couple years. This guy could think you’re too much of a good-time Charlie. You’re thirty-four, Dana, and you said he’s forty…?”
Dana cleared his throat. “Um, forty-six, something like that.”
Sway jerked his head back. “He’s a little long in the tooth, huh.”
“No, he’s not! He especially doesn’t look like he’s in his forties.”
“That’s because he’s almost in his fifties.” Sway laughed, the alcohol making him find everything hilarious.
“You’re hammered.” Dana laughed too, enjoying himself. He’d missed his friend. He always knew what to do and say. “Besides, I’m not a slut. I think I’m ready for a real relationship again, if it’s with someone who respects me. And, honestly, I don’t think Ford has any for me.”