Trouble

I tapped my foot repeatedly against the wood floor below me. My wrist were encased in the cold metal of the handcuffs. I leaned back in my chair, relaxing while I waited for officer Lanning. This was a common situation for me. I looked around, the police station was filled with it’s usual chatter of idiot highschoolers and snobby detectives. My eyes moved to the front doors, many people entered, and many left. Some wore handcuffs, and some didn’t. Somewhere in the crowd of people that entered the police station,there he was, officer Lanning. Tall, much taller than me, we were about the same age, but I was shorter than most 22 year olds, being 5′8, and only coming up to Lanning’s chin. His black hair swooped in front of his face, casting a shadow over his bright blue eyes. He worked his way over here, as he took off his long coat, hanging it on the back of the spinny chair in front of his desk. He sat down for a minute before spinning around to face me.

“How many more times are we going to end up here before you realize you’re making stupid decisions?”

“I don’t know Wyatt, I guess just like spending time with you.”

He sighed at my response, “I told you to stop calling me by first name.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Sean. Why do you do this?”

“It depends. Sometimes I’m just bored,other times certain people just need their asses kicked.”

“Sean listen,you can’t afford another offense on your record. I know you don’t give a damn about anything I’m saying right now, but if you don’t start giving one, you going to find yourself sitting in a cold jail cell, instead of the chair next to my desk.

I didn’t want to believe him, but he was right. I couldn’t get another offense on my record. I.stared past him and towards the big glass doors. I was no longer waiting for Officer Lanning, I was waiting for Daniel. Daniel was my best friend, he was the one who usually bailed me out. He hadn’t shown up though, and,I was starting to get worried. It had been a couple hours and he had usually already shown up by now.

“Let me guess, you’re looking for Daniel?” Wyatt’s deep voice dragged me out of my thoughts. I nodded, not taking my eyes off the front entrance.
“He’s not coming.” This time I drew my attention back to Lanning.
“What do you mean?”
“Daniel can’t pick you up this time, you’re stuck here.”
“How do you know this?”
Before Wyatt could say anything, the question was already answered. Out of the corner of my eyes I saw the wide glass doors open, with them, in came a young, freckled, red headed, green eyed, idiot. A 21 year old idiot that was my best friend.

“Shit.”

I watched as Daniel was escorted over to chair across the room. I peeked over Wyatt’s shoulder, trying to get a better look at Daniel’s situation.

“He got into a fight with one of the officers.” I looked back at Wyatt, noticing his face looked a little bruised.

“Yeah he’s always been a pretty bad fighter. You

never had anything to worry about when he punched you.”

“Is it that noticeable?”

“No, I’m just smarter than the average earthling.”

“That’s pretty strange coming from a college drop out.”

“If you’re going to criticize me, know your facts. First of all, I was the valedictorian of my class, and second, I didn’t drop out, I was kicked out.”

“Let me guess, it was because of fighting.”

“Actually, no. It was for a very stupid reason.”

“What happened?”

“They just don’t appreciate the person I am.”

“Okay then.”

I changed the subject matter to Daniel, “So, why did he hit you?”

“He was drunk.”

“Damn it Daniel....” I mumbled a few other words to myself, inaudible, so Wyatt didn’t here.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that last bit?”

“Nothing, it’s just Daniel is an idiot. He still has a shot at getting into a good college, and I’ve told him this, but he doesn’t listen. He prefers to drink away his sorrows and cause street fights.”

“I think that last bit might be about you...”

“Fair enough, but either way he still has a future ahead of him, unlike me.”

“I thought you didn’t want Daniel to head off to college. What happened to your master plan of having him as your wing man. Always having your back, being there for you, helping you pick up the ladies-”

I choked on air when he said the last part. I mean if Wyatt could be considered a lady, I would so be okay with Daniel helping me score him. He was just so Handsome,

and kind. And the way his name rolled off if the tongue. I was in love with him. I wanted to hold him at night, and kiss him in the morning. I wanted to be able to call him mine, but of course, his appearance is evidence enough that he is clearly as straight as a line. When I’m, honestly, as straight as Neil Patrick Harris.

Suddenly officer Lanning stood up from his chair, walking away. “Where are you going?” I called
“To go get some coffee.”
“grab me some, would ya?”
Most of the people in the police station scowled at me, others just glanced. Everyone in here knew about me, or at least had heard of me. I was here at least three times a week. And if I wasn’t here I was most likely always at the bar. I wasn’t at my apartment as much most people are. Rent was building up and I couldn’t afford to pay it. I didn’t want to have to worry about electric and water bills too, so I just didn’t hang around there as much.

I looked back up from my hands that were sitting in my lap. I found Wyatt, he was making his way over here with two cups of coffee, trying his best not to spill them.

“One black coffee for you,” he said, setting it down on the desk next to me. “and one super sweet and creamy coffee for me.”
He took a sip as I looked at my steaming hot drink, and then down at my handcuffed hands.

I looked back up at Wyatt as he looked over at me. I lifted my hands, so he could see. I shook them around, the metal making noise when it clinked against itself. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small key. He reached his hand over Unlocking one of my hands, but not the other. He hooked it to the desk, and then put the key down. I sighed at him, “Come on man, don’t you trust me?”
“I do, sort of, but I’m not supposed to be letting you go anytime soon. Plus it’s not like you’re going anywhere. I’m pretty sure you going to be put under house arrest.”
I rubbed at my sore wrist before grabbing my hot coffee. “Speaking of houses...I don’t really have one to go back to.”
Wyatt put down his drink, “What do you mean?”
“Well I haven’t had the money to pay rent, because I lost my job, like two Weeks ago. And I can’t really pay any of my bills.”
“Why don’t you just go live with Daniel?”
“His lease is a very specific one person lease, and cannot be changed any time soon.” I paused a moment. “You know, maybe, I could come live with you...? I mean, it will keep me out of trouble...hopefully..no promises.”

He rubbed his hand across his face, “You want to come stay with me, in my house, in the house of a police officer?”

“Yeah.”

“If I let you stay, are you going to stop causing havoc?”

“Like I said before, no promises.”

“I’m serious Sean.”

“Sorry, I’ll try my best.”

“No, ‘trying.’ I need you to be serious about this. I don’t want to come home to see your face covered in blood for any other reason than defending an old lady or something.”

“Okay I won’t.”

“Seriously, promise me.”

“Nope, can’t do that.”

“Then, you can’t stay with me.”

“I’m sorry. I promise I won’t get into any fights while you’re around.”

“Okay, you know what, since you can’t take this seriously, the offer is just completely off the table.”

“Okay, for real this time, I promise I won’t get into trouble well I’m living with you.”

“Thank you.”

Wyatt finished his coffee, throwing it in the trashcan next to his desk.

“Let’s go.” He grabbed the key off his desk to unlock the handcuffs. Before he could I lifted my hand, dangling the handcuffs from my fingertips.

“This is what I mean Sean.”

“I did this before we made the deal.”

He sighed yet again as he extended his hand for the handcuffs. I dropped them into his grasp as I stood up. I watched him walk away, following close behind him. Man did he have a nice ass.