Free Licentious by Jen Cousineau Page A

feel this way. Including me . I am partially to blame in this.
    “I can’t fix this, Joey. I can’t,” he shakes his head, wiping his nose on his sleeve.
    “Can you work from the sidelines? Can you think of anyone that might have a vendetta against you?” I fire off questions at him.
    “Jesus, Joey .” He signs. “I’m a cop,” he says firmly as he stands up and holds his arms out to his sides. “I piss everyone off who I have to write a ticket or haul to jail. Even if I don’t want to, the law says I have to. My job pisses a lot of people off. It can be anybody, Jo,” he says defeated.”
    “So, Kellan’s on the case?” I try to change the subject but still try to find some answers.
    “No. He’s lead detective for the department. But being, the so-called message you were given pertains to me, DCI has taken over the investigation.”
    “I don’t understand. DCI?”
    “Department of Criminal Investigation,” he says almost annoyed as he takes a seat on the bed, resting his head in his hands. “This is now considered an internal case because somehow, I’m involved. So they took over the case, but Kellan will be kept in the loop.”
    “Well, that’s shit! Kellan may be your best friend, but he’s a by the book kinda cop,” I say in aggravation. “Fuck,” I mutter as I slowly lay back down, sinking my body into Eve’s bed.
    “Shit, Joey,” he mutters, “I know that. My hands are fucking tied.”
    “I’m sorry , Aedan. But you tried. That’s what matters, you know that, right?” Silence. “Right?”
    “Yeah. Right. I’m going to head to bed, do you need anything?” he asks as he stands up and turns toward me.
    “Nah, I’m good. You sure you’re okay?” I ask him, worry fills me to my core. His forehead is creased, anger filling his face, his body stiff with tension, unshed tears clouding his eyes.
    “Yep,” he nods once. “Jo?” he nearly asks as he kneels down to the floor at the side of the bed . “No matter what, I love you. And I’m so… fucking proud of you,” he says between clenched teeth, almost as if he’s in pain.
    “Aedan…”I shake my head confused.
    “I-I just wanted you to know that I’m proud of you. You fought like hell, and that took balls. I’m, I’m just proud of you. And I love you,” one corner of his mouth tips up just slightly as he says it, softening the edges of his face. He leans over and kisses my forehead before standing and walking toward the door.
    “Aedan?” I whisper.
    “Hmm?” I hear him say as I see his silhouette turn in the dark.
    “I love you, too.”
     

Chapter Nine
    I wake up to the sun shining brightly through the bright green sheer curtains Eve had picked out when we decorated the room. I slowly stretch out my arms and legs as carefully as I can to try to prevent any unnecessary pain to my body.
    I glance around the room and realize that I’m still in Eve’s bed. Just the idea of leaving her bed makes my heart ache. I lift my head slightly and peak at the digital clock across the room. 7:32 A.M.
    Normally, Dad has already left for work, but I know he’s put in for FMLA leave temporarily so he can stay home with me. Mom wasn’t home at all yesterday, at least not that I know of. If I were honest, that bitch can stay gone.
    This damn cast is so itchy! I need to find something to stick inside of it to scratch. I can’t wait for this damn thing to be removed. My stomach growls loudly, reminding me that I haven’t eaten since yesterday at breakfast before I was discharged. The idea of leaving Eve’s bed pulls at me inside, as if I’m leaving her . I don’t want to get up, but… I have to pee.
    I slowly peel myself out of bed, feeling stiffness in every bone and muscle in my body. I let out a groan as I reach for my crutches and make my way to the bathroom. As I head back into our bedroom, my digital piano keyboard on the far end of the room against the wall fills my vision. My fingers start to move against the