NYPD Night Shift

Dirk stood there staring at his phone. The pressure in his chest intensified, and he found it hard to breathe. He’d been through worse, hadn’t he? Emotions never got to him. He did what he had to do for the job. But this with Cooper went beyond the job.

Dirk sagged against the wall and closed his eyes. In a few minutes, he’d be fine again. After all, Cooper hadn’t said he never wanted to speak to him again. He said he needed time. That was fine, but when Adam heard about what he’d done, the shit would hit all over again. Adam’s temper wouldn’t allow Dirk to get off so easily as to give his brother space. Adam would hound him into the ground and blow whatever guilt Dirk felt to monumental proportions.

Dirk shoved a hand into his hair and pressed the heel of a palm into his eye. His chest tightened even more, and if the music wasn’t blaring so loud, he was sure everyone would be able to hear his raspy breaths.

A heavy hand come down on his shoulder, startling him from his self-pity. “Hey, you okay?”

He looked up into the concerned eyes of his boss. “Yeah.”

The single word must have been unconvincing because Ryan moved closer and squeezed his shoulder. “Talk!” When Dirk opened his mouth, the commander shook his head. “No, not here, somewhere quieter. Let’s go, and this time, you’re going to tell me what your problem is.”

“I need someone to tell me,” Dirk quipped, but he went with him.

They left the bar with its noise and suffocating atmosphere. Dirk didn’t complain when Ryan ushered him into his car, leaving Dirk’s behind. They drove in heavy traffic, and once they were in a quiet, dark spot, Ryan cut the engine. He turned toward Dirk with expectancy in his expression, and Dirk shifted in his seat.