Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
All of them now volunteered at the cleanup group every month.
Not a lot of crime happened here.
Dan shifted his weight, looking uncomfortable. I refused to say anything to help ease his discomfort.
“So, ah, the weekend. Sorry.”
“Sorry?” I repeated. “That’s all you got?”
“I thought I had read something that wasn’t there. I misunderstood.”
“I said no. More than once. Then you cage me against a wall, insisting we go out, not listening to a word I had to say…” I shook my head. “Never mind. Just leave me alone, Dan.”
His face darkened. “I got the message when your so-called boyfriend showed up.”
I lifted one eyebrow in derision. “So-called? Chase is my boyfriend.” I lifted my chin, knowing I was speaking the truth. “And that is no excuse for your behavior. No is no. You know that. We teach that at classes. We tell that to women all the time.”
“I was a little drunk. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
“Fine.” I waved him off. “We are fellow officers and coworkers. That’s it. Don’t cross the line again.”
He folded his arms over his chest, narrowing his eyes. “What about your roommate, Hannah? Your boyfriend—does he think dating a cop puts him above the law?”
I laughed. “Give it a rest, Dan. Jaywalking? You were really going to write him up for jaywalking? How petty.”
“He told you, did he?”
“I told him I was worried you’d be a jerk today. He told me what happened. He was pretty sure you preferred being a jerk to him instead.”
“I was being a cop. Doing my job.”
“By harassing a citizen who was doing the same thing everyone else in this little town does. All because of who he is dating.”
He leaned close. “All because of who he is. Do you know the person you’re fucking?” he hissed. “He’s a convict. Beneath you.”
I drew in a long breath, counting to twenty. “First off, he paid for his mistake, and he is a different person. Second, who I date—or fuck—is none of your concern. And third, abusing your position by looking into his records?” I shook my head. “Bad move, Dan. I thought quite highly of you before. I see that was misplaced. Leave me alone. Leave Chase alone. If you don’t, I’ll go to the boss.”
“I was concerned. I checked out his name. Imagine how shocked I was to see a fellow officer was living with a convict. I thought perhaps you didn’t know, but obviously, you do. That is even more shocking to me.”
“Chase is very upfront about his past. Unlike you, he is an honest person.”
“Honest people don’t go to jail.”
I was done with this conversation. “People always deserve a second chance. And Chase has proven his integrity. Sadly, you have shown me the lack of yours.” I stood, picking up my coffee cup. “From now on, we’re coworkers, Dan. That is it. Have a good day.”
I walked away.
By the end of my shift, I had a headache. After my run-in with Dan, the day went downhill. The station was busier than normal. Some files were missing. I kept spotting Dan, who seemed to make a habit of hanging around the part of the station I was working in, no matter how I tried to avoid him. I had never noticed how his laughter annoyed me or how condescending he was until today. I put it down to our interaction earlier and my annoyance at him for being such a jerk to Chase, so I purposely put a smile on my face and did my best to ignore him. I even waved and included him in my goodbyes for the day. I was grateful to leave and go home.
Chase wasn’t home yet when I got there, but he had some steaks marinating in the fridge. I put together a salad, then decided to lie down and try to get rid of my headache. The pillow was cool under my cheek as I relaxed, letting the ice bag on my head and the silence soothe me. I slowly drifted, waking up to a low voice in my ear and a pair of strong arms holding me.
“Hannah,” Chase crooned. “Wake up, baby.”
I snuggled down, pushing back against his chest. He laughed quietly, tucking my hair behind my ear and resting his cheek against mine. “You okay?”
“Hmm. Headache. But it’s gone.”
“Headache? Why? Are you getting sick?”
“No, just a long day.”
“Dan?” he asked.
“He was a bit of a jerk, but I think I nipped that in the bud.” I told Chase about our conversation, and he chuckled at my words.
“So fierce, Hannah.” He rolled me over, hovering above me. “So protective of me.”
“I dislike people who want to prove they are more powerful. And thinking because you made a mistake in the past you should keep paying for it only shows how narrow-minded he is. Not very tolerant for a cop either.”