Page 38 of Best Friends
“Nice job.” I don’t bother sharing that I barely made it over the finish line. These goons would love ragging me about that.
Cheyenne meets my gaze and I know exactly what she’s thinking. She dislikes Harlan and Jeremy as much, if not more, than me. They’re misogynist assholes who don’t think women should be cops. They also don’t mind letting every female cop know that.
“I’m surprised you two lazy bums got off your asses to run for charity,” Cheyenne says.
Harlan glances at her. “Why? I like dogs.”
“Sure you do,” murmurs Cheyenne. “From what I’ve heard you are a dog.”
“Oof.” Jeremy guffaws. “She got you there, dude.”
Harlan’s cheeks flush and his eyes glitter with irritation. “You’re always so nice to me, Cheyenne.”
She shrugs. “You reap what you sow, dude.”
Amanda seems oblivious to the tension. “So, you guys are cops too?”
“Yep.” Jeremy puffs out his chest. “Protect and serve, that’s what we do.”
I can’t help laughing and that earns me a scowl from Harlan.
“Hey, I think I saw you out with Malcolm last night.” Harlan glances between me and Amanda. “You were both there with some other chick.”
“Yeah, we had dinner.” I force a smile.
Amanda sighs, smiling at me. “We were on a double date. Unfortunately, Carrick had to go home early. He didn’t feel good.”
“You bailed on your date?” Jeremy bugs his eyes.
Harlan cackles. “No way. That’s lame as fuck.”
My face warms but I don’t bother responding. No matter what I say they’ll mock me. Might as well not give them ammunition.
“It’s okay. If he didn’t feel good I understand why he had to leave,” Amanda says, linking her arm with mine. “Carrick’s going to take me out again sometime to make up for it. It’s all good.”
Harlan eyes Amanda’s breasts. “Well, if he doesn’t come through, I’ll take you out, sweetheart.”
Amanda laughs nervously. “Oh, thanks.”
“In fact, what are you doing tonight?” Harlan asks, giving her a salacious look. “You like to dance? We could hit that new club The Lemon Drop.”
Amanda moves closer to me, and I don’t blame her. Harlan is literally undressing her with his eyes. Also, the way he just asked her out in front of me feels pretty disrespectful.
“What do you say?” Harlan pushes. “Want to go out tonight, babe?”
“I can’t,” Amanda mumbles, looking flustered.
“No? Why not?” Harlan lifts one dark brow.
Amanda gives another nervous laugh. “I… I just… have plans, that’s all.”
Harlan leans toward her. “Oh, come on now. Let me take you out. We’ll have a blast, I promise.”
Angry at how pushy he’s being, I say, “She said no, Harlan. Read the room.”
He gives me a dirty look. “Why don’t you butt out, Carrick?”
“No, you butt out.” Feeling protective of Amanda, I add, “And she can’t go out with you tonight because she’s going out with me.” The minute the words leave my lips, I regret them. They were purely designed to make Harlan back off, but Amanda doesn’t know that. She’s going to expect me to take her out now.
