Page 19 of We Own Tonight
In fact, I know we won’t. I know that I’ll never pull over his car again, and he doesn’t know anything about me other than my name and that I’m a cop. Okay, so maybe he knows a lot more than I’d like. Still, there’s no reason for him to talk to me again.Ever.
“You and your partner be safe on the job. I hate seeing fellow officers in the line offire.”
My body twists, and I scoff. “You’re not a cop. You play a cop ontelevision.”
“I have abadge.”
“It’sfake.”
Eli reaches across the seat and puts his “badge” on his lap. “Doesn’t look fake tome.”
I roll my eyes. “We both know that’s not real. Also, impersonating a police officer is acrime.”
“Are you going to arrest me?” Eli asks with a coysmile.
“You’re not worth thepaperwork.”
With that, I turn and start to walk away. I don’t get too far when I hear him yell, “I’ll see you soon,Heather.”
Brody leans against the car with a huge grin on his face. I point at his chest and warn him again. “Not aword.”
He chuckles and climbs in the car. “You better pray no one at the station hears aboutthis.”
I groan and rest my head on the seat. “I sure know how to complicatethings.”
“Yeah, you suredo.”
With that, we both fall silent as I drive to the hospital. Brody and I walk to Stephanie’s room without commenting further on my life choices. It’s the one saving grace in my job, guys don’t want to talk about it all. Brody lets me say what I need to say, and then once he’s had his input, he’s done. I don’t have three-hour-long discussions to analyze the “why” of things with him. Nicole, who I’m sure is dying to grill me for details, is the exactopposite.
I make a mental note to avoid her aswell.
As soon as I see Steph, I can tell she’s doing better. The shades are open, and she’s sitting on the guest chair and looking out at the water. Her hands are steady, and the overall mood in the room is lighter. But I know my instincts are correct when I see Stephanie’s big smile as we enter. “Brody!” she practicallysqueals.
Stephanie has had a crush on him for as long as I can remember. If I didn’t see him as an annoying guy who has gas issues, I probably would think he’s hot, too. He’s tall, has dark blue eyes, a chiseled jaw, and he oozesconfidence.
“Steph!” He grins and pulls her into his arms. “You’re lookinghot.”
I fight back slapping him, but I know he’s trying to make her happy. He is all too aware of her affections, and I’m grateful he doesn’t ever make her feelsilly.
Rachel thinks it’s cute aswell.
I think it’sridiculous.
“Stop,” she says as the blush paints her cheeks. “How’swork?”
Brody fills her in on the call we just came from, and she clutches her chest. I could leave the room, do handstands, or juggle and she wouldn’t notice. When he’s around, he’s all she sees. He’s the only man in her life that doesn’t treat her like she’sdying.
“But the best part,” Brody leans in and my eyes widen, “was when your sister pulled over a famousactor!”
“Brody—” I try to stop him, but Stephanie waves her hand atme.
“Yup. EliWalsh.”
“Oh my god!” Stephanie yells. “Eli! Like, the same guy you went to the concert to see?” she asks, looking at me and thenBrody.
“The same one.” Brody grins. “Did Heather tell you they know eachother?”
“Dead. You’re dead,” Istate.
