Chapter 12

“What happened to my mother and me growing up wasn’t fair,” Simms said after a while. “All of my relationships ended because of my job, which isn’t fair. My partners couldn’t handle that I wasn’t around on a regular basis, to give them enough attention, or whatever. Lynn—my most recent ex—constantly argued with me about what ‘normal’ meant as a couple, and just couldn’t get past that. My hours are crap and Lynn wanted more than what I could give. And yeah, I understand the issue, but somewhere out there is someone who can live with it. And you know? I’m past forty. Life’s too short to worry about shit like that anymore. Either the person in my life can deal, or not.”

I almost choked on my beer. “Past forty? No way are you older than me.”

He grinned. “Yes, I’m forty-two to your thirty-five. Think I’m robbing the cradle, do you?”