Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 84871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Guilt and horror make my stomach churn. Though Nathan didn’t see what we were doing, he’s not stupid. The accusatory expression on his face won’t stop haunting me.
That’s our baby boy, you homewrecker.
I rub at my temple, hoping to ease the headache that’s forming. It’s been a week of overthinking that night and worrying Jamie will show up to tell me what a horrible person I am.
She hasn’t shown up to hand me my ass yet.
So maybe we did get away with our stolen, passionate moment. It doesn’t make me feel any less terrible about it, though. I clearly was feeling lonely and Dempsey showed up at the right time in my life, saying all the right things to make me feel cared for.
I chew on my bottom lip, barely focused on what Aisha is saying in the passenger seat. Early this morning—and like every morning since Jamie’s party—I was eager to rush out of the station to go on patrol. I’m sure Tanaka thinks he scared me into leaving his shady dealings alone.
Unbeknownst to him, I’ve been doing my own investigating late at night when I can’t sleep and I’m doing my best to blow Dempsey off via text. Not only have I been finding interesting information about the Ghirards, but I’ve also uncovered more about the motorcycle club Trevor has found himself mixed up with.
Without getting lost in Dempsey’s handsome grins, I can actually stay focused and do my job.
“Where do we want to go to lunch today?” Aisha asks. “I’m thinking Thai.”
Thai’s not my favorite, but anything to keep me out of the station works for me. Now that I have a game console for Kaden at the house, I feel comfortable leaving him while I work rather than pawning him off on Tara.
“Sounds good to me,” I say, my mind drifting back to my sister.
As Aisha continues to babble, this time about her kids, I wonder where the hell Rhiannon is. Each night, on my way home, I’ve stopped by her apartment to try to talk to her. Neither she nor Lenny is ever there, or at least they don’t answer when I come knocking. Trevor isn’t either. It’s a mystery that may require me to speak to my mother. She may not answer my texts, but she’d have to speak to me if I showed up unannounced.
“You want me to surprise you?” Aisha asks, pointing to the Thai restaurant as we approach. “I’m assuming we’ll eat on the run, right?”
“Yeah, surprise me.”
As soon as she’s out of the vehicle, I lean my head back and close my eyes. Dempsey’s handsome, swollen, just-kissed lips come to the forefront of my mind.
This is absolute torture.
My phone buzzes and the usual guilty feeling threads through me. I peek at my phone to see another text from Dempsey.
Dempsey: Dad spooked you. I get that. Don’t shut me out, though, babe.
Babe.
My eyes water and a ball of emotion clogs my throat. Of course the first time I actually feel attraction and connection to a man, it’s the wrong one for me. Is that how Rhiannon felt when she got with Lenny? Mom with Dad? Are we all doomed in the Thurman family to fall for guys who’ll destroy our lives?
Dempsey isn’t anything like Lenny or Dad, but us having a relationship still hurts people. Specifically my best friend. I can still remember the prickly way she was toward me when she thought we were simply texting. As friends. If she knew we’d been kissing, she’d be disgusted with me.
Plus, I’m old and jaded.
Dempsey is young. He’s going to college. There’re thousands of girls in this town who would literally drop to their knees at his feet to worship him. He’s a Park after all. They’re basically gods around here. Gods and mere mortals like myself don’t have any business playing together.
I want to let him know it’s not him. It’s me. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with Dempsey. He’s gorgeous, talented, funny, and incredibly sweet. He’s a total catch.
For someone else.
With a heavy, resigned sigh, I text him back.
Me: Been busy. Talk soon.
It’s another blowoff message, but hopefully, he realizes I need time. Maybe indefinitely.
Dempsey: Tara likes caramel macchiatos too. She says I’m going to have to show up a lot earlier if I want to make sure you get your coffee before you head out on patrol. Maybe I should show up at your house.
A smile tugs at my lips. He’s persistent, I’ll give him that. But I’m not supposed to think his persistence is cute.
Me: Thanks for the attempt. I really do appreciate it. Demps, I need time right now. Please.
The dots move and stop a few times before he replies.
Dempsey: I’ll always wait for you.
This time, tears do form and I hastily swipe them away. I’m Sloane Thurman—emotionless, robot cop. I don’t cry over texts. I know I’ve been on my period all week, but damn. These feelings are too much.