Page 44 of Cop Blocked

“Brandon, another time, man. I appreciate your help today.” Logan quickly shakes the sales guy’s hand and helps me over to his car. “Rach, you’re okay, babe. I’ve got you. I’m right here with you.”

“I have to be able to drive. I thought I was okay yesterday. I’m not.”

“You’ll get through this. One step at a time. I’m sorry I pushed you.” He keeps me balanced with his hands on my hips.

“It’s not your fault. You didn’t push; you were only trying to help.” I use one hand to brush away a few stray tears. “It’s almost time to get Piper from school anyway. We should get going.”

With a kiss on the forehead, he tucks me back inside his car, and we head over to Piper’s preschool. It’s not until we get there that it dawns on me, I have no idea how she’ll fit in the backseat, and we’re missing a car seat.

“Shit. Where exactly are we putting Piper?”

Logan gives me a questioning look. “You didn’t notice the car seat behind you? Smitty helped me pick it out, and I had the car seat safety tech at work install it for me. I have one in my truck now, too, just in case.”

I will not cry again, damnit. “Logan.” Too late, tears of gratitude roll down my face.

He brushes them away with his thumb and kisses me on the lips. “Stop crying. Let’s go get your girl. I need to hit the grocery store before Nana’s.”

We pick up Piper, brave the grocery store together for the first time and still manage to make it to Nana’s with time to spare.

Logan helps Nana with groceries and then disappears outside. From the kitchen, I can hear the lawnmower fire up, which reminds me that we still have some things to talk about, and I owe him a thank you for taking care of my grandmother when I’m not around.

“Rachel darling, hobble over here, quickly.” Nana’s staring out the back window. When I reach her, she tips her head. “I have to say, you sure do have fine taste in men. I’m not a fan of tattoos, though I suppose I can make an exception for him.”

I nearly swallow my tongue at the sight of Logan, shirtless, pushing a mower through Nana’s backyard.

TWENTY-FOUR

Logan

“Your lady friend still have you all tied up in knots, Walsh?”

I glance over at Maureen and give her the stink eye. “What did I tell you about gossiping with Rhys and Smitty, and discussing our personal lives?”

God, this woman. She is a thorn in my side. I can never catch a break with her or anyone else for that matter. As if my first-night shift rotation isn’t bad enough, ironically, it’s also taser training day, which means three hours of mandatory overtime too.

“Awww, Logan...you know you don’t scare me. So out with it, Playboy. What’s your next move? Maybe I can help you figure it out.”

“NO!” I snap. “I do not need your help to figure anything out. Stop listening to Dickhead and Jackass and stop poking your nose where it doesn’t belong, woman.”

I don’t need help. Rachel doesn’t have me tied up in knots or otherwise for that matter. Things have been going fine between us, and I’d like to keep it that way. Granted, I could go with more alone time to worship her body. It doesn’t matter; taking advice from Maureen or any of the guys is a sure-fire way to fuck it all up.

Maureen snickers. “It is the highlight of my life when I get you all fired up.”

I close my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose, and take a deep breath. “Can we not do this? Why are you so hell-bent on tormenting the fuck out of me?”

“He’s still not getting laid.” Smitty walks in and pats me on the back.

“Obviously.” Maureen laughs. “Otherwise, he’d be as chipper as you are there, Smitty.”

“Goddamnit, you two. It’s too damn early for your childish bullshit. You think you could back off, seeing as how I’m about to get tased because of you, Smitty.”

You know, since he went and volunteered me for this shit months ago. And once my name was down, no one else was going to offer to take my place.

“Whatever, man. I hope you emptied your bladder. The last guy that volunteered during taser training pissed himself.” Smitty grins like a loon and takes a donut from the box on the table.

“You big baby, it’s only five seconds, tops. You’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” Maureen pats my arm and walks around me to take a seat.

Everyone else begins to file in - damn near the whole department, young and old - taking their seats while we wait for Lieutenant Cassel and the Deputy Director.

---