Page 18 of We Own Tonight
Instead, Brody stays quiet while I assemble the paperwork. He may not be speaking, but he’s saying a whole lot in thesilence.
“Just say it,” I mumble and finally lookover.
“I’m not saying a word.” He raises his hands. “Clearly, you two know each other, and it ain’t from growing up here. You tell me everything, so there is no way you wouldn’t have told me you know him,” Brody pauses and leans back. “I’m not saying a word about who you may or may not have slept with recently. Even though, it’s prettyobvious.”
“You know, you not saying a word took you a longtime.”
“It’s not like you’ve had a five-year drought since your divorce. Or that you slept with a singer/actor. Nope. I have nothing to say about that. Not athing.”
I groan. “Could you not say anything for real thistime?”
“Sure thing, boss. I’ll just be over here, watching Hell start tothaw.”
This is not going to get any better. I’d almost rather hear the questions. This is Brody Webber. My partner, my friend, and the one person who I have enough dirt on to make his life hell if he repeatsthis.
“Okay, fine. Yes, I slept with Eli Walsh. I was crazy and dumb. I also had about six beers, which is two over my threshold, and I was trying to be in the moment for once. Fucking Nicole and her peptalks.”
Brody coughs a laugh and then recovers. “Sorry, goon.”
“I swear, you better keep this to yourself. If you tell anyone . . .” I give him my best threatening face. “I meananyone, I’ll make your life a livingnightmare.”
He shakes his head and laughs again. “I won’t say a word, but you had a one-night stand with one of the most famous men in the boy band atmosphere. You’re too cool for me, Heather. I don’t think we can be friends. I’m sure you and the band will be happy withoutme.”
I huff and grab the papers. “I’m getting a newpartner.”
I walk back over to the car, praying this will be painless. “I’m not going to ticket you this time,” Iexplain.
“Because that would be awkward since I’ve seen younaked?”
OhJesus.
I ignore the comment and proceed as if he didn’t say that. “Just slow down, Mr.Walsh.”
“It’s Ellington.” He takes my hand in his as I hand the papers back. “I figure since we’ve you know . . . had sex and all . . .” He pauses and gives me a blinding smile before continuing, “You should at least call meEllington.”
Thanks to my obsession, I know most things about him, but I truly didn’t know his full name. I guess back when I was searching for info, Google wasn’t what it currently is. Now, though, I feel like he let me in on somesecret.
“Fine, Ellington, please drivesafe.”
“We should talk about what happened the othernight.”
“That’s notnecessary.”
Eli grips my hand as I start to pull back. “Dinner.”
“What?” I ask withshock.
“Have dinner withme.”
Is he for real? He wants to have dinner with me after I ran out? Either he’s crazy or I’m still dreaming. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m really busy.” I tug my hand back and smooth my uniform shirt. “Make sure you don’t run anyone off theroad.”
“For you, Heather, I’ll drive with both hands on the wheel and follow the speedlimit.”
“Oh, so you’ll actually obey the law?” I smile without permission. Damnhim.
He leans so his head is out the window. “I have a feeling you and I will be seeing each otheragain.”
“I don’t thinkso.”
