Straight Flushed (Hot Pursuit #1)(17)
“What! No!” I said, pouting, and Vance started laughing. “How did you know?”
“I had a feeling. A little angel whispered in my ear.”
“A feeling, hah! It’s luck.” I huffed. “And it’s infuriating.”
“Gimme the cards,” he said, waving his fingers. I wanted to throw my cards in his face, but instead, I laid them down and slid them over. “My deal. Deuces are wild.” Vance shuffled the cards and dealt a fresh hand. “So how long did the doctor really tell you your recovery was going to be?”
My mouth fell open. He knew I’d bent the truth in front of Andrews and Capinski. “For a normal person two to four weeks. But I’ll be back to normal in about a week I bet.” I chewed on the inside of my cheek. “On the cab ride here I had a thought.”
“Only one?” He laughed.
“Oh, shut up, smartass.” I faked a laugh. “I was thinking maybe I should get away for a week, like a little vacation.”
Vance looked at me over his cards. “You? Why?”
“I feel like I need a little break and to get my head on straight over Gabe.” I put one finger up, telling him not to speak. “I don’t need your two cents. I’m thinking a week by myself will be perfect and will give my body enough time to heal. I’ll come back good as new.”
“But by yourself though?”
“I don’t have a problem being by myself. I think it’ll be great. I’ll sleep late, run on the beach, be on my own schedule, and I’ll eat lots junk food. Doesn’t that sound great?”
Vance nodded. “Actually, that does sound kind of nice. Maybe I should come.”
“Uh, no. You’ll pick up chicks and I don’t need to hear headboards slamming into the walls.”
He shrank back. “I wouldn’t do that with you there.” I glared at him. “Okay, whatever. Where do you think you’ll go? That place in Hilton Head?”
“No, it would make me sad. Too many memories. Avery told me about a place. Long Boat Key down in Florida. He said it was a beautiful beach. I think I’ll check it out.”
“I’ve heard of that place. It’s kind of ritzy. Lots of yachts and mansions. You got the cash for that?”
“Are you serious? Of course I do. I sit on my money and save it for a rainy day. Well guess what…it’s pouring.”
“You’ll have to clear it with Cavanaugh.”
“We’re going to be on desk duty filling out paperwork from the accident. Besides, he won’t put me in the field injured. It’ll be for the best.”
He shrugged. “I think it sounds like a great idea. You gonna meet some hot, muscle bound guy and make some bad decisions?”
“What? No,” I said, shaking my head, but my skin grew hot under his scrutiny. “I don’t do things like that. How long have you known me?”
Vance chuckled. “Is that a new blush you’re wearing?”
“Will you shut up?” I put my hands on my cheeks and cooled them with my icy fingers.
“Stranger things have happened.” He laughed.
“That’s not my style. This vacation will be for relaxation only.”
“Sounds like famous last words to me,” he said with a smirk.
Five
Three days later…
The morning after my poker game with Vance, where by the way, I had my ass handed to me, I got on my computer and booked my getaway. I got a last minute deal on a modest, two-story bungalow right on the water and bid on a cheap flight. It drained a good chunk of my rainy day fund, but come that Monday morning, it didn’t matter.
The pictures of the house and its interior were nothing compared to its beauty in person. The inside was decorated simply in whites and teals with coral accents. But it was the back wall of windows giving a panoramic view of the ocean that stole the show. I had five whole days in an oasis filled with music, books, wine, and the ocean in complete solitude. What more could I have asked for?
My ribs still hurt like hell, but the first two days were the worst. By the time I stepped foot on Floridian soil, I was in bearable pain.
After getting settled, I went for my first run since being injured and got to feel the soft white sand squish between my toes. It was such an amazing feeling. There were no large shells, and the sand never got hot under the sun’s rays.
When I got back to the house, I took a quick shower, sprayed myself in sunscreen then headed out to hibernate on the beach. I sat under an umbrella, found conveniently tucked in one of the closets in the house, eating Cheetos and sipping cold, full-strength Coca Cola straight from the bottle.
I laid there for hours. A warm sea breeze teased my cheeks while I stared at the sparkling green water. Gentle, soothing waves rolled onto the shore. I may have even dozed off a time or two in between dips in the warm Gulf waters. Only when I was itchy from the dried saltwater and sand clinging to every exposed inch of my skin, smelling like coconut and candy, did I call it a day. If there was heaven on earth, I’d found it. Avery couldn’t have been more right about this place.
I went inside and got cleaned up and decided to go for a short walk on the beach before ordering some takeout. The owners had left a stack of menus from some local restaurants on the kitchen counter. I’d figure out while I strolled what cuisine would suit my palate for the night.