Page 34 of Stopped

The little guy pushed at the hand with even more peels of heart-exploding baby belly laughter. “Shit, shit, shit!”

One by one, the infectious giggles pulled us all under their spell. For the first time in weeks, my laughter came easily and effortlessly. My eyes skated over the crowd and instantly met Will’s own searching gaze at the same time. With mirrored, megawatt smiles, we communicated across the distance with nothing more than winks and smiles. It was everything I needed, wanted, and more. He was everything. I knew without a shadow of a doubt, it was all going to be okay. I swiped the tears of happiness and hysterical laughter from my cheeks and then blew him a kiss. I knew I found my soulmate when the goofball pretended to catch it midair and press it to his chest. The gawky goober teenage boy I had fallen in love with a decade ago had turned into a gorgeous, goofy man and he was all mine. I couldn't be happier for it.

Chapter Eighteen

William

Spying my boyfriend fromacross the crowd gave my heart a jolt of feel-good sparks every time I glanced in his direction. The feeling was magnified every time he looked up at the same time and met my eye. I was such a goner for him, and the idea was thrilling beyond measure.My boyfriend. All mine. Finally, things were looking up.

I laughed under my breath as I watched Grayson climb into his arms and caught the startled look on EJ’s face. Seeing him hold my godson did squirrely things to my chest. Yeah, it was way too fucking soon to be entertaining the thoughts that weaseled into my brain. Still, it didn't escape my notice that he looked damn good holding a kid to his chest, and despite my logical mind screaming for me to shut the hell up, I couldn't deny the primal, chest-beating monkey part of my brain that really liked the idea of him holdingourkid one day.

That part of my gray matter was also triggered by the appearance of a certain smarmy man sidling toward my boyfriend with a smug smile on his face as the group becamedistracted by baby Grayson’s antics. I was too far away to hear what was going on, but I wasn't so far out that I would miss Brixton’s approach. I immediately excused myself from the group of kids admiring the police car and strode through the throngs of people, hellbent on running interference.

“Well, well, Elijah. You sure know how to make an entrance. Wasting public resources on police escorts, swearing babies, and enough non-recyclable decor to kill an entire pod of dolphins—”

“Hayden, sup?” I interrupted and held my hand out with a grin. “Been a hot minute.”

“O-oh, Sheriff Doherty…” Brixton’s smile faltered for a beat before returning to his trademark smirk. “How're you been?”

“Great. Surprised to see you here.” I put extra oomph in my grip as I shook his hand harder than necessary. “Did your missionary thing not work out?”

“I felt… uh, there was a higher calling. I felt drawn to serve here… um.” His nose crinkled as he made a show of shaking out his hand and wiping it on his trousers.

“By higher calling, you mean your ole man? How's he doing, anyway?” I drew up close beside EJ and slung an arm over his shoulder to tug him into my space. The way he fit into my side so perfectly sent more squirrely feelings zipping through my chest. It was the first overt display of our relationship and I happened to be flaunting it in front of the entire town and then some. Talk about grand gestures. I surely took the cake with this move.

“N-no,” Brixton bumbled with a scowl. “I felt a higher calling to serve the community. On my own.” He stopped short of folding his arms across his chest and stomping his foot, but it was clear I hit a nerve—one point for me.

“Very noble of you.” I flashed him a grin and a wink. “All for the betterment of the community, right?”

EJ stifled a snicker beside me as he slipped his arm around my waist. “Exactly that, babe.”

Brixton's scowl deepened. “You two will never grow up. This is all some game to you.”

“Sort of like how I was some game for you?” Ashley butted into the conversation, one hand on her hip and the other wagging an accusatory index finger at Brixton's twisted expression. “Go back to your booth and your daddy’s friends. You made it clear you aren't one of our friends, and I think you've outstayed your welcome.”

“Oop!” Lionel let out a peel of tinkling laughter before skipping over to shove a massive rainbow-colored lollipop into Brixton’s grip. “Sucks to suck. Have a sucker!”

Before anyone had a chance to add insult to all the injury, a crackle broke through the air. I nearly lost my composure entirely as good ole Benji hoisted a bullhorn and bellowed into the mouthpiece.

“Bye-bye, Brixton!”

“Shit, who gave him the batteries back?” Cam hurried through the group and tried to wrestle the item from Benji’s hand. A hot dog went flying and landed on Brixton's shoe. A second flew through the air and plopped with a squelching sound on the pavement. Grayson began animatedly clapping his hands while chanting, “Shit, shit, shit!”

At that point, there was no hope for keeping my cool. Hysterical laughter erupted from my chest and was picked up by everyone in the vicinity. Well, everyone except Brixton. He could only muster affronted scoffing sounds as his face turned fire engine red. Without another word, he spun on the heel of his mustard-splattered oxfords and stormed away. It was the single most hilarious show of my life, and I couldn't stop laughing, even as tears began streaming down my face.

“Well, shit—take mushrooms,” Josh censored himself at the last second. “That was pure gold.”

“Man, it really was.” I exhaled with a lingering chuckle while wiping the tears from my eyes. “That guy was always such a tool.”

A ripple of agreement cycled through our mixed group of friends as we all settled back into the event at hand. I had to return to the cruiser and give tours for the little kids still crowded around it, but from my vantage point, my gaze kept shifting back toward EJ. He was all smiles and good cheer, his eyes darting toward me every time he sensed me looking. Taking the burden of uncertainty off my shoulders when it came to him and I did wonders for my morale. Sure, my life was still in chaotic shambles, but for once, I could see a tiny flicker of light at the end of the tunnel.

I stayed on duty longer than usual to help with the event. I hadn’t initially planned to work it, so there were a couple of other officers from the Sheriff’s Department present to keep the crowds in check and the streets safe. I genuinely enjoyed the night and was glad I’d ultimately decided to attend. Especially since I got the pleasure of witnessing my man in action as he worked his charms on the townsfolk. As the evening wore on and the crowds began to dwindle, I made the decision to shoot my shot and take advantage of our second, third, whatever-number chance at a lasting relationship. Hopefully, it would stick this time.

“Hey, sexy,” I murmured, sidling into his space as he packaged the remaining brochures and treats. His booth was decimated, and he appeared just as frazzled and disheveled in comparison.

“Hey to you too, handsome.” He hesitated for a fraction of a second before leaning over the table and pressing one of the tender, chaste kisses I was becoming obsessed with to my lips. “Are you headed back to Town Hall to finish your shift?”

“Indeed. I was wondering if you were free afterward?”

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