ShelbyGlancing at the clock, I blow out a relieved breath when I see it reads five. This has been one of the longest work days ever. Probably because my night with Sullivan ran late.A smirk plays along my lips as I think about what Sully and I did in his apartment. Today I haven't heard from him, but that's not completely unusual. More than likely he's been busy, just like I have.My phone buzzes with a text, and I grab it as if it could walk away at any second.K: We still on for coffee?S: YES! Will be there ASAP, closing up the office right now.Coffee with Karsyn. I can't believe I forgot. Start thinking about Sullivan and everything else leaves my brain. Quickly, I grab my briefcase and purse, throw my coat over my arm, and hurry to the door. I guess I'm lucky A Whole Latte Love, the new coffee shop in town, is about a block from my office. Setting the alarm is second nature, and then I'm on the sidewalk. There aren't many people out and about today. As I shive
Sullivan"Pass the fuckin' ball, Ransom." I hold my hands up, showing I'm open. He glances over at me, trying to find a place where he can do as I've asked. He's being double-teamed by Cutter and Devante. "Whatcha gonna do now?" Cutter talks shit to his brother. "We're all on you like white on rice.""Get a new analogy." He lobs the ball over his head, about as far from me as he can get. Since they're both surrounding him though, it allows me to make a break for it, but so does Tank, who's on their team. I see him diving for it, so I do the same, knowing I'm taller than him and have longer arms. We hit the hardwood floor together, but I manage to tip the ball in favor of my team.This will fucking hurt tomorrow, or maybe even tonight, but I can't deny how good it feels to get physical on the court. This is something I needed, especially after having to deal with Frank Gentry.The two of us push ourselves up on shaky arms."You alright?" he asks, bending over at the wais
ShelbyAs I leave the bathroom, I chance another look back at Sully. He's already rested his head against the tub, and seems to be deep in his thoughts. I can't help but wonder who takes care of him, after he takes care of the rest of the world. My heart speeds up to scary levels when I realize I want to be that person for him. It's the first time I've ever had those thoughts about someone else. I would have to have them during one of the most transitional points of my life. Shaking my head, I walk to the kitchen, trying to figure out what I can make him for dinner. I haven't been grocery shopping in a while. I'm very much content with cereal and a banana for dinner more often than not, but I know that won't do for the man in my bathroom. Rifling through the cabinets, I spot some rice. Pulling it out, I check the expiration date, because I'm pretty sure I brought this from my old apartment. Sweet, two months to go. "He'll want something to off-set the carbs." I look behin
Sullivan"We were out at the Gentry's again last night." Ransom throws some paperwork onto my desk the next morning. "Did she press charges?"He gives me a look. "What do you think? She's scared to death of that prick, and he fucking gets off on it.""This is the part I hate about being a cop." I pick up the papers he dropped. "You can want to help people all day long, but until they're ready to accept it there's not a goddamn thing you can do.""I know, it's a bitch.""Is this for the auction?" I'm flipping through what looks to be a consent form."Yeah, Whitney was over at the house yesterday, and apparently my job in helping with this fundraiser is doing all her paperwork delivery.""I mean she does watch your kid," I remind him."She does, but she's the grandparent. It should be her honor."A laugh-sigh breaks through my mouth. "You think real highly of yourself, don't you?""Hey, if I don't, who else will? Be sure to fill that out, stick it in my box, and I'
ShelbyWhen I get home, I don't see Sully's patrol SUV, which means he's probably still on-shift. Until right now, I didn't realize how much I look forward to seeing him at the end of a stressful day.Reaching in, I grab my briefcase and drag myself up the stairs to my apartment. Going into an empty living room is not what I want to do, but it's the life I have right now. It's nights like these I wish I had the life of most of the friends I've made here in Laurel Springs. Everyone is married with kids, or fixing to get married. They're settled. And I'm not. All the plans I had for myself seem to have never come to fruition, except being a lawyer. I love my job and I'm incredibly proud of what I've done, but none of my personal goals have been achieved.I'm not married, no kids, not even a prospect. Granted, Sully and I are getting closer, but who knows how close we'll get. Who knows how far it'll go – it's just as likely we'll burn hot and fizzle out - as is it we'll
Shelby"Thanks for coming with me," I yell at Karsyn over the sound of the live band playing at the only bar in town. She was the first person I thought of when I saw the ad on my social media. Lucky for me, Tucker is working tonight, so she's my wing woman.She takes a drink of her beer, a grin breaking out across her face. "No problem. I haven't been out in a while, seemed fun. I hate sitting at home, waiting for Tucker to come home. My imagination runs wild at all the things that could wrong. Just wait until you and Sullivan get further into it. You'll know the fear too."I almost tell her I already feel the fear. Sometimes I wait to see him pull into the parking lot at the end of a shift, just so I can make sure he's okay.We're standing next to the pool tables when we hear someone speak. "Ladies, would you like to play?" "Not me." Karsyn shakes her head. "I'm not very good.""What about you, blondie?" My eyes move over the body of the man speaking to us. He looks h
Sullivan"It's hot as fuck in here." Cutter runs a hand through his hair. The Laurel Springs Emergency Response Team isn't a small group of people, and Cutter's right - it's stifling. When we have a meeting with all of us, it's obvious we need a different space."They must have the heat on.""On the day it's almost seventy degrees outside," Cutter bitches."It was chilly up until today. Who pissed in your Cheerios?" I give him a look. "Dude, I have been up for thirty-six fucking hours," he grumbles."Why so long?"He rolls his eyes. "Somebody called in and we couldn't find anyone to take the spot. It's not like we can run ambulances without EMTs, so I had to stay.""Don't act like you're the only one," a voice says from the other side of Cutter's body.Moving forward slightly, I glance by him to see who's talking. "Hey, Devante." I reach out my hand to shake his. "How you doing?""Tired as fuck, just like Cutter, but if you ask him, he's the only one working mor
Shelby"No, no, no," I shout as my copier eats the paper I'm trying to copy. "Son of a bitch." I brought it from Houston, and it was on its last leg then. "I just need you to last a few more weeks," I beg it. In two weeks I'll be going to the Laurel Springs PD to write out wills for any of the officers who don't have one yet. "Is everything okay in here?" "I didn't even hear you come in," I tell Stella as I beat on the side of the damn machine."You were too busy yelling at the copier.""It's lucky I don't throw it out the window," I groan. "What do you need?"She has a seat on the couch in my office. "We're having a girls night out. Come join us, we've all had a shitty week.""I am so there," I groan again when the copier eats the paper. "Fuck this thing, when are we leaving?""Right now." She laughs as I slam the top down. "Let's go." I walk around my desk, grab my purse out of it, and turn the open sign to closed. "Who all's coming?" I ask as we walk to the loca