Walker (Cordell Walker x Female!Reader)

Bar None

While helping the kids pack for a camping trip to honor their late mother, Cordell received a phone call from Geri, who informs him of her plans of selling the Side Step. Especially after one of the support beams broke the night before.

Cordell dropped everything and raced to the bar to stop Geri from making a deal with a seller and issue the damage done to the bar is foul play and shuts the bar down to investigate.

Later, Cordell sat down at the bar, pouring himself a drink. "You really let things go, Denise." He said to the boar head that was resting on the bar in front of him. "A crime scene, Walker? Are you kidding me? There is no foul play. This bar is falling apart!" Geri said, walking over to him. "Well, don't you worry, I'll get to the bottom of it." Cordell replied.

"No. You're not gonna get to the bottom of anything. You're in denial." Geri told him and Cordell scoffs, shrugging his shoulders like such an accusation was ridiculous. "And not just about the bar. Emily died a year ago. I feel it, too. And tomorrow, you may lose your career." Geri added, but Cordell ignores her and took a sip of his drink.

"Look..." Geri said, taking a seat on the stool next to him. "I know that you're dealing with a lot, and maybe focusing on this bar is the easy..." She began but Cordell interrupted her. "Okay, how could you even consider selling it? Geri, all the memories we have here!"

"So you have selective memory, too." Geri remarked. "Oh, come on. My 32nd birthday? Tell me, tell me that wasn't the best night ever." Cordell argued. "I am being serious, Walker. I need a fresh start, and selling this place could be a clean break for me." Geri told him.

"Okay, calm down, I can fix it in a day." Cordell said, smiling smugly as he gestures to the bar. Geri gives an amuse smile, not believing his claim. "Emily was the handyman. I have seen you swing a hammer. Okay?"

"Yeah." Cordell muttered softly, avoiding her gaze. "You can't fix this. These are foundational problems." Geri told him and Cordell exhales, not wanting to hear the hard truth.

Geri leans in and Cordell looks down to avoid her gaze. "I know it's hard. I know you don't want to face it. But it's time to move on." She said, softly. Cordell doesn't give a reply and she stood up, walking away.

"You can't move on from a crime scene, Geri. That's ridiculous." Cordell called out, getting her to stop. He turns on his stool to look at her and Geri gives him a don't be serious look. "Keys, please." Cordell said and Geri bites her bottom lip as she reaches into her pocket.

"How do you expect to fix anything around here when you can't even hammer a nail in without bending it?" She asked, taking out her keys and tossing them to Cordell. He smiles as he catches the keys and turns back on his stool, setting the keys on the counter and takes out his phone. "Cause luckily I know someone who's just as handy as Emily was." He said, opening a text conversation he has with (Name).

April 5th, 2021
Cordell: (Name), have you ever been camping before?

(Name): Yeah, why? 🤔

Cordell: Stella and Augie want to go camping to honor Emily. They really want you to come with.

(Name): Really? I don't want to impose, if it's for their mother.

Cordell: It's fine, don't worry.

(Name): In that case, I'd love to go! Haven't been camping since I was a kid. 😁

Cordell: Great! I'll let the kids know.

April 9th, 2021
Cordell: Hey (Name), any chance you can swing by the Side Step? I could use your help with something. Bring some tools.