Part 2 (1/2)

”Aren't you being just a bit presumptuous?”

”Hmm, well were you just about to buy me a drink and chat me up?”

”Well,” Tyler stumbled, not sure what to say next. She had never had her motives questioned and it was irritating her.

”Well?” Ashley asked back.

”What's wrong with buying a beautiful woman a drink?”

”Nothing, as long as that's all it is,” Ashley said as she grabbed both drinks and started to leave.

”Wait, who told you about me?”

Tossing her head towards the dance floor, Ashley said, ”She did. She said she's a good friend of yours.”

Tyler looked and saw Kelly, her best friend, waving at her.

”s.h.i.+t, how do you know Kelly?” Tyler asked, waving back at her friend.

”She's my partner.”

”You're on the force?”

”Yep, and she told me all about you. Night,” Ashley said, walking towards Kelly.

”s.h.i.+t,” Tyler said, slapping her hand on the bar.

”What's wrong, Stud? Get shot down?” Max snickered again.

”f.u.c.k you, Max.”

”Sorry, Honey, not tonight. Maybe next time.” With that, Max was at the other end of the bar chatting with a s.e.xy blonde.

Aggravated, Tyler pushed her way to the back of the club and leaned on the pool table. She was rarely turned down. It had been a long time since someone had rejected her bed. Well, the conversation hadn't gotten that far, but Tyler had hoped it would, considering how beautiful the woman was. Sulking, she watched as women danced against each other. The s.e.xual energy in the room was rising with each song. She searched for the two prospects she had pegged earlier, but couldn't find them. It was turning out to be a c.r.a.ppy night and she hated being alone when she wanted company. A pair of hands reached around her stomach and pulled her close.

”Hey s.e.xy,” a voice whispered, caressing her ear.

”Hey Kell,” Tyler said, as she pulled on the arms, prying them from her. ”What gives with that gal?”

”Oh, you mean Ashley?” Kelly said, looking over her shoulder at Ashley.

”Is that her name? I guess I didn't get a chance to ask her, since she already knew so much about me.” Tyler sat on the corner of the pool table and palmed a ball.

”Look, Tyler, I can explain. She's my partner and when she started going all gaga over you after the fire, I needed to set her straight. She's a nice gal and I don't want to see her hurt.”

”What are you talking about, Kell? She's an adult who can make her own decisions, right?”

”Yeah, and you're a player, Tyler, plain and simple. You use women like placeholders for Jill. Well, news flash, Jill isn't coming back. So let her go and move on.”

”What are you talking about? I know Jill is gone. I was there when she died, remember? I held her in my arms and watched her die, remember?” Tyler became agitated as she relived that day.

”Look Tyler, it's been over a year since Jill died and you live like you don't expect to see tomorrow,” Kelly said, biting her lip. ”The motorcycles, going back to being a firefighter, the fast cars and even faster women. I'm surprised you haven't caught a disease or two. You haven't, have you?”

”Screw you, Kell.” Tyler reached in her pocket and pulled out her keys. She didn't need this and she wasn't about to stand around and listen to Kelly talk about Jill. ”If you haven't noticed, I'm not sitting around feeling sorry for myself. I know Jill is gone and I don't need you to remind me.”

”I'm sorry, Tyler. I know you think you're fine. But watching from the outside, I see it differently,” Kelly said, grabbing Tyler's arm to stop her from leaving.

”Take your hand off me.” Tyler's tone became menacing as she stared Kelly down. ”I don't need someone rating my dating habits. Now, if you will excuse me.”

”Tyler, I'm sorry. I know you think I'm out of line, but I've known you for a long time. I've never seen you like this and I'm really worried about you.”

”Well don't worry. I can take care of myself. I've been doing it for years.”

Tyler tossed the cue ball down the table and started to walk off.

”See you Sunday,” Kelly said to the retreating back.

”Sunday?

”Michael's birthday,” Kelly reminded Tyler. ”He wants to see his G.o.d-mother's motorcycle.”

”You got a bike,” Tyler said without turning back.

”Yeah, but mine is for work. It doesn't have flames and skulls like yours.”

”What time Sunday?”

”One o'clock is good.”

”Fine.”

”Tyler? One more thing.” Tyler felt Kelly put a hand on her shoulder and knead the muscle underneath. ”Could you make sure to cover your tank? I don't want any of the mothers mad at me because their son saw a naked lady.”

Tyler had painted her motorcycle two years ago in memory of Jill. A nude angel, in Jill's likeness, sat on the top of her gas tank and flames and skulls framed the sides. Tyler told everyone it signified the h.e.l.l she was going through without Jill. The truth was Tyler didn't want to be without Jill, no matter where she was.

”Whatever.”

”Sorry. I hope I didn't cause you any problems with Tyler,” Ashley said, wiping the sweat from her gla.s.s.

”Naw, Tyler's cool. She doesn't like to have the reality check cashed. Her dad handles her with kid gloves and women just throw themselves at her, so I get to do the heavy lifting when it comes to dealing with her.”

”I don't understand.” Ashley looked at Kelly and wondered what she was trying to say. Throwing up her hands, Ashley said, ”You know what, it isn't any of my business. Forget I said anything, 'kay?”