Just Kidding (SWAT Generation 2.0 1)

See, I had a feeling that I could really have a thing for Dax Tremaine if I allowed him to wiggle into my life.

The thing was, if Theo’s dating Shondra had hurt, what would I do if I started to care for Dax and he began to do the same? Not necessarily Shondra, of course, but another woman. What if he found someone, and I was forced to sit on the sidelines and watch?

That would totally and completely suck.

I scratched my head and thanked Max for finishing my car.

“I really appreciate it,” I said. “Unfortunately, I have to go. I need to run over to those duplexes that my brother’s living in and see if they have any vacancies. I tried to do that yesterday, but apparently the maintenance man electrocuted himself and the manager of them, who just so happened to be his wife, was out. After I’m done with that, depending on whether they have any openings, I need to go look at other places. And I need to go buy some essentials. I’m hoping someone has something that I can move into as soon as possible. My parents…” I let myself trail off and shuddered.

Max started to laugh.

I shot him a glare. “It’s really not funny.”

His eyes shone.

“The fact that your parents love each other, even after all these years, doesn’t make you happy?” he wondered.

I frowned.

“Well…” I paused. “They don’t have to love each other so loud. Do they?”

Max ruffled my peach fuzz hair, and I shook my head.

“Be happy, honey.” He paused. “It could be worse. They could be like my parents before they passed away. They didn’t even bother to do it in their room. Do you know how traumatizing it is to walk in on your parents having sex on the couch you spend a lot of your time on?”

I didn’t even want to contemplate it.

Honestly, I had a feeling that my parents didn’t usually contain themselves to just their bedroom. They were at least being considerate for my sake.

But still.

“Whatever.” I laughed. “Have a good one, Max.”

Then, for good measure, I leaned forward and hugged him.

Surprised at first, he took a few seconds to respond.

But when he did respond, he gave a good hug.

“Be careful, darlin’.”

With that, he let me go, patted me on top of my bald head, then sauntered off into the office.

I got into my car and watched him go, wondering if Dax would look that good at Max’s age.

My guess was that he’d look better.

***

I arrived at the apartment complex with a sense of worry.

I had a feeling that I literally was about to be told no.

There was no way in hell that these duplexes didn’t have a waiting list a mile and a half long.

They were way too nice.

In fact, nice didn’t even cover it.

Each duplex pair was a little bit different from the next. The yard was rather spacious, and the builders hadn’t skimped even a little bit on anything.

The wood was real, genuine wood. Nothing was wrapped with wood to make it look real but still stay on the cheap side. Nope, there were real cedar beams running this way and that.

Hell, even the office was beautiful.

Getting out of my car with a dejectedness that made my face look like a child pouting, I made my way inside the most beautiful office I’d ever seen.

When I arrived inside, a stunning woman with flowing raven waves cascading down her back looked up and smiled.

“Hello.” She waved.

I immediately allowed my hand to trail down my bald head, hating the way her hair was so perfect.

Mine used to be that perfect…

“Do you happen to be Rowen?”

I blinked, surprised.

“Ummm, yes?” I said. “How did you know?”

The beautiful raven-haired beauty smiled wider, displaying perfectly straight white teeth.

She grinned and pointed at a note on her desk.

“My name is Hastings,” she said. “My mom, who co-owns these duplexes with my dad, had a note on the desk to be on the lookout for you. Apparently, your brother stopped by to talk to her? And then I just got a call from my mom again that you were coming here to take a look at our duplexes. Apparently, an old friend of my dad’s called and said that you were on your way. I’m supposed to show you our available unit.”

My mouth fell open.

“I can see you’re surprised,” she giggled. “Trust me, we don’t usually do this. But when a cop’s kid, or a cop’s brother, or a cop’s girlfriend needs a place to stay, we usually make accommodations. See, Dad was on the force for twenty years before he retired. He was tired, though, and decided to retire and do something that didn’t take quite so much concentration… and look where that got him. Electrocuted.”

I blinked quickly a couple of times before shaking my head.