“Why not?” He jerked and screwed up the shot. Devine gave a snort of laughter. Bastard.
“I’m just sayin’ there’s nothing wrong with hooking up more than one night with a good woman. Just because the last one screwed you doesn’t mean they’re all like that. Maybe she’ll surprise you.”
“I don’t like surprises,” Stone said.
His friend shot him a knowing look. “You don’t like the bad kind. Like walking in on your wife and finding her screwing another guy. At least this one sounds like she has character.”
Yeah. She did. It was evident in every move she made. Character and good intentions. Still didn’t mean he wanted to try a woman like Arilyn Meadows. She’d probably lecture him on health issues, want to engage in deep conversations regarding their relationship, be the queen of lost causes, and drive him crazy.
Total disaster.
He watched Devine study the table and crack the stick. Nice shot. “I don’t like any type of surprises,” Stone finally said. “And maybe this advice shouldn’t be coming from a man whose future with women consists of what they want for breakfast. You’re a man whore, Devine.”
His friend shot him a grin. “I’m ready to settle down the minute I meet the right woman. It’s not about quantity, man. It’s about quality.”
“Whatever. Hey, there’s Dunn and McCoy.” Stone lifted his beer and slapped his coworkers on the shoulder. Tim Make It Work Dunn was the only sergeant in the department, ambitious, and on track for detective. His ginger hair and pale skin got him a lot of ribbing, but he still drank anyone under the table. Jay McCoy had been on the force a long time and had settled down with the wife and three kids. He managed to balance family life with the workload, and was definitely the most chill in the department. He was also the best practical joker. When the worst pranks came out, everyone knew Jay was behind them.
McCoy bumped his shoulder and grabbed two beers from the bar. “I put this on your tab, dude. That Mentos thing got me in trouble. Spilled the damned soda all over my papers and had to redo them, you asshole. The Dick went nuts.”
Stone laughed and lifted his beer in a salute. “The classics are the best. Took me long enough to rig the whole operation. Needed some revenge for the shit you put in my trunk.”
Tim cocked his hip against the table and rolled his eyes. “A little soda explosion is hardly revenge. You gotta step it up if you want to play in the big leagues, Petty. Now let’s play some pool.”
“Fine. Rack ’em up, Devine. I’m getting a refill.”
Stone walked to the bar, chatting a bit with Ray, and spotted Patrick at the far end of the bar. The older man was new but had become a regular. Stone enjoyed his conversation and friendly ribbing. He was a veteran who had kicked ass in Nam, played a mean game of pool, and could swig a Guinness like nobody’s business. He lived in the senior citizen home, but he seemed fine to Stone.
“Hey, Pat, how’s it going?”
The man looked up and grinned. His stately silver hair and bushy eyebrows spoke of good, solid genes. “Stone! I’m good, man. You playing with your crew? What happened to bustin’ criminals in Verily?”
Stone laughed and nodded to Ray to put the drinks on his tab. “Not too much going on lately. Maybe you should go stir up some trouble at the center and get me some excitement going.”
“Man, do I wish.” Patrick rolled his eyes. “I’m trying to fit in there, but for God’s sake, it’s so lame. No interesting women. All they do is talk about their arthritis or foot problems or gas. Tried to go on that bus trip to see Mamma Mia! It was painful. Abba songs and girly stuff the whole time. It’s like they’re all halfway to the grave.”
Stone shook his head. “That’s tough. Can you live on your own? Have any family members to help you out?”
“Nah, I had to sell my house because of the diabetes. It was time. Can’t drive anymore anyway. My granddaughter already does too much for me. She’s a good girl.”
Ray set down the beers. Stone nodded his thanks. “Good to have family who cares.”
“Maybe I can set you two up? She needs a decent man.”
Alarm bells rang. “Sorry, Pat, I seem to do better with the bad girls.”
Patrick laughed and raised his Guinness. “I did once, too. Maybe you just need to try a good girl for a change.”
“Tell you what. Devine over there knows the right way to treat a woman. Why don’t you ask him?”
Patrick nodded. “Seems like a handsome guy. She picks me up here a lot, so we’ll see.”
“We’re playing a game. You want in?”
“How much?”
Stone grinned. “How much you got, old man?”
“More than you’ll ever take from me. Might as well empty your pockets now.”
“You’re on.” They walked over to the table and Patrick greeted the other men. “You got a ride tonight from your granddaughter?”
“Nah, don’t want to bother her. I’ll walk.”
Stone looked outside. It was getting dark earlier with the change of season. “I’ll drive you later.”
Patrick agreed, and they spent the next few hours playing pool and darts and trading war stories. By the time Stone dropped Patrick off at the center, he felt more relaxed. It was nice to make a new friend, especially one who seemed to get his rough sense of humor. He fit right in with the cops, being used to the blue-collar talk from his military past and having been a mechanic. Plus, he’d gone nuts over Stone’s muscle car, declaring it one of the finest automobiles he’d ever seen, and the man knew his cars.