RowanLSERT FriendsmasThe past few months have passed like so much of life does. Some days drag and we're dying for the next one to start, but then we look up and we don't know where they've gone. Since I moved to Laurel Springs, most of my days have been those fast ones, especially where Cutter and the rest of our friends are concerned. They took me in as one of their own quickly, and I'm not sure I'll ever be able to thank them enough.But there is something that everybody is looking forward to, and that's the gift exchange.Whitney got my name, and I got hers."If there's not a chick fight after these presents are opened, imma be pissed," Devante laughs as he looks between the two of us.He's come into our friend group too, and become my new partner. We have a lot of fun during our shifts and I wouldn't trade him for anything."My money's on Whit," Ryan says from where he sits, nursing his beer."Nope, you ain't seen Ro restrain a drug addict trying to get off he
VOLUME FIVE: SULLIVANSullivan"Yes!"My sister screams the word as she tackles her boyfriend to the ground. He's proposed in front of what has become our group of friends, and though I feel a stab of jealousy in my chest, I'm excited for them. I can't help but clap and whistle along with everyone else. Cutter and I talked about this a few days ago. He asked my dad, but he requested my permission too, knowing how close Rowan and I are.I gave it to him with every single blessing I could muster. If anyone deserves to be happy, it's Rowan. Someone taps on my shoulder, causing me to take my eyes off the ecstatic couple. "Is it possible to be that lucky? To get someone who makes you smile and your eyes twinkle?"Attorney Shelby Bruce has had my attention since I moved here a few months ago. We live in the same apartment complex, and she just so happens to take her morning run either when I'm leaving for or coming home from work. She may be a bit of an obsession. One I wish
ShelbyMy hand trembles as I stand outside Sully's apartment. I know he's off-shift, both his cruiser and Mustang are parked next to one another. I'm holding a roast in my other palm, nervous as hell. Lifting up the trembling hand, I knock quickly on the door, inwardly dying as I wait for him to either answer or come to the door."Coming." I hear his strong voice through the barrier between us. When he opens it, I literally lose my breath."Counselor." He grins as he sees me standing there."Hey," I answer. "I made a huge dinner, and was wondering if you wanted to split it with me."He rubs his stomach, inadvertently lifting his shirt up so I can see his abdomen muscles. It's an unconscious move he makes, but I still let my gaze drift down and enjoy the fruits of his exercise labor."Whatever that is smells amazing, c'mon in."Ducking under his arm, I enter, feeling shy because this is one of the first times we've seen each other since the Christmas party. It's not that I
Sullivan"Thank you for volunteering to work Valentine's Night," Nick says as we start the shift-change. "We would've made it work, the way we always have, but it's nicer when I can be home with the wife and kiddos, ya know?"I don't, but I pretend like I do. "I'm sure they all appreciate it."Nick grins. "And I appreciate when they go to bed, just leaving me and my blushing bride to do whatever we want."Rolling my eyes, I grab a cup of the worst coffee known to man. Welcome to Laurel Springs Police Department."Dude, don't remind me you're married, and have a woman to sleep next to you, and all that good stuff.""What's up with you and Shelby?"His southern accent makes her name almost two words. Shell Bee."Didn't you take her home from the Christmas Party?"Steeling myself, I sip some of the sludge, grimacing as I force it down. "Just because I took her home doesn't mean something happened."He studies me a lot fucking closer than I want him to. "Yeah it did.
ShelbyI watch in the rearview for as long as I can. Sullivan doesn't move, he keeps his gaze fixed on me until I round the corner, leading out to the main road. Sullivan Baker.I'm not sure there's ever been anyone else who's interested me as much as him. At the same time, I'm beyond positive no one has frustrated me like he has.He thinks I don't recall the night of the Christmas party - coming so hard against his hand and on his fingers I passed out - but I do. I remember everything. I've let him believe I was too drunk to know what happened.I wasn't.All because I'm completely unsure of how he'll react when I tell him I know.Late at night, I still feel him. Sometimes I use the memories to relive those moments in my head and against my hand.The drive to my office, downtown across from Laurel Springs Police Department, takes me all of ten minutes. I snatched up this property located between the courthouse and The Café at an amazing price. Pulling into my design
SullivanMy footsteps beat a cadence on the material of the treadmill I'm running on. A bead of sweat drips from my forehead, rolling down my nose, dangling at the very tip. Shaking my head so it'll fall off, I lift the back of my hand up to wipe at my mouth.The heat is on in here today, because it's the end of February, and it feels every bit as such outside. But my clothing choice makes it hot too. A pair of sweatpants with a shirt and a hoodie, the hood covering my head.Glancing down, I groan. I'm only at mile number three; I need to go five. Especially if I want to make a spot on the Laurel Springs SWAT team. That's been my goal since I came up here with my sister. The five-mile run is the first obstacle I have to overcome if I want to even be considered. So far, it's kicked my ass."Nice pace."Ransom hops onto the treadmill beside me, warming up by walking briskly."Thanks, I'm trying to get it where it needs to be.""It took me a while," he admits. "I'm not
ShelbyHe's speechless. Sully keeps opening his mouth and then shutting it. No words come out, even though his throat is working so hard his Adam's apple bobs up and down. The tension between us is slightly awkward, and I do the only thing I can think of. Invite him to lunch."I was about to head over to The Café. You wanna join me?"The question seems to pull him from whatever stupor he was stuck in. "You sure? I just worked out, and I don't smell the best. I was gonna take a shower at the station, but I had to get outta there.""I've smelled you worse than that before," I remind him. "I am the one who helped you after the kid in the downstairs apartment puked on you."His face flashes red before a smile tilts up the side of his full lips. "For a while I was able to forget that happened. Thanks for bringing it back up, though.""You're welcome." I grin.Grabbing hold of his arm, I start us walking toward the direction of what will be our lunch. My body recognize
SullivanI watch her run away, glued to my seat. Get up! Go after her! But I can't seem to make myself move. This didn't go the way I imagined it would at all. In my mind I'd always pictured us talking about the night of the Christmas party in a controlled environment. We would laugh remembering how hot we were for one another, then we'd admit we both had feelings for each other, ending with a fucking replay of what happened that night.The only thing I can do is beat my palm against the steering wheel. Why didn't I go after her?Inhaling deeply, I grab up the food and take it over to one of the homeless men who uses our square as his home. I've completely lost my appetite. Irritated beyond belief, I start up the car and head toward the apartment complex I call home.Halfway there, my phone rings. For two seconds I think about not picking it up, but when I see the smiling face of my sister, I answer quickly."Hey.""You sound extremely excited to hear from me. Are