Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 95008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
I needed some of that.
Unfortunately, the air was still disgusting and I had a feeling trying to run in it would be like trying to exercise with a cigarette in my mouth.
The parking lot at the apartments was nearly deserted as I pulled in and got a parking spot. There were a few cars here and there—people that must have had the same itch to go home as I did—but the normal hustle and bustle was absent. It was kind of creepy as I climbed out and grabbed my bag off the front seat.
I waved to one of my neighbors who was sitting on a lawn chair outside his sliding glass door and headed inside. It felt good to be home. It felt good to still have a home. I couldn’t believe all that had happened in the last twenty-four hours. It was like some kind of alternate reality.
I went through the apartment, turning on lights and ceiling fans. The place smelled musty from the smoke outside. When I was done, I stood in the middle of the living room, not really sure what to do with myself. I wanted to take a shower before Draco showed up, but I also didn’t want to leave my stuff in the car too long and risk it being stolen.
After letting my dad know that I’d made it home safely, I decided to grab my stuff first, since going out into the gross air after my shower seemed a little counterproductive. The guys had packed it all out in one trip, but it took me three.
I was just grabbing the last of it, the milk crate and backpack, when a familiar voice said something behind me and I turned, my stomach sinking.
“Level two means you’re supposed to have your stuff packed up and ready to go.” God, I hated him.
I always acted like I didn’t know this particular police officer. That I hadn’t dealt with him at least ten times in the last five years. It was the only way to deal with him without giving him a reason to hassle me further. It was a little dance we did.
I pretended to respect his authority and he pretended that he hadn’t been harassing me since the day he’d stood beside his police car and watched the cops in the other car take Draco away in handcuffs. He’d been a rookie then. Baby faced.
“I’m keeping it packed,” I said, closing the back of my Jeep. “Just taking it inside.”
“Let me help you,” he said, stepping forward.
I hated that he only bothered me when he was working. It was as if the uniform and badge made him feel brave. It gave him a veneer of respectability and command. If he’d been in jeans and a t-shirt, he would’ve just been another regular shithead and I could’ve told him to go fuck himself.
“I’ve got it,” I said, taking a couple steps backward. I glanced over at my neighbor, still sitting in his lawn chair.
“You know, it seems like you’d be a little more appreciative of my help,” Officer Dickface said, walking with me toward the building.
“My dad says I’m independent to a fault,” I replied, laughing a little like it was a joke. I stopped on the sidewalk.
I didn’t want to stand there talking to him, but I also knew that letting him walk me all the way to my door was a seriously bad idea. Being out in the open where anyone could see us seemed safer.
“I see you’ve hooked back up with the Harrison boys,” he said, bracing his hands on his belt.
I wished I could tell him that when he stood like that, he looked like a little bantam rooster.
“They’re family friends,” I replied.
“Spending time with men like that’s a bad idea,” he said softly. “Wouldn’t want to get wrapped up in something that was going to get you into trouble.”
My stomach sank as the phone in my pocket vibrated. I couldn’t be sure, but if I had to guess, Draco was on his way to my place. I looked toward the entrance to the parking lot. If he saw us, I wasn’t sure how I was going to explain it.
“Curtis and Draco aren’t into anything that’s going to get me into trouble,” I replied, looking back at him.
“That you know of,” Officer Asshole said condescendingly. “Take my word for it—it’s only a matter of time before one or both are back in prison.”
I wanted to slap the smug look off his face. Silently, I just stared at him. It felt wrong to discuss the guys with him, dangerous, like anything I said could be twisted just enough for him to start hassling them, too.
My heart started racing as Draco’s truck pulled into the parking lot.
“I better get back to catching bad guys,” Officer Smalldick said, obviously noticing Draco, too. “Stay out of trouble.”