Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
He’s playing the game fast and loose, so it’s a good thing I’ve played before too.
“That U-turn is totally legal,” Hope informs him, leaning over the console. “If you’re gonna start ticketing people for that, you’re gonna have to write more tickets than you’ve got on your little pad”—she wiggles her fingers at the fake leather binder in his hand—“and everyone in town’s gonna riot.” She grins primly, like her argument will totally shut him down and end this charade.
We all know he has no real reason to pull me over, that the turn-around and swerve I didn’t do aren’t why we’re here. Hope is.
He’s definitely a Team Roy sort of guy, probably thinking Hope should shape up and bow down to her man or something equally antiquated, and when he saw her in the car with someone other than his boss’s baby boy, he sprang into action like the kiss-ass he is.
I let my eyes go deadly vacant as I stare into his muddy-brown ones. “This is what you’re going with?” He blinks first, not expecting the challenge but also not taking back the question. Grunting softly, I add, “Fine. I’ve had no alcohol today.”
“Deputy West,” Hope says, her tone sharper than a blade, “we’ve been at my house for hours, with four other witnesses that’ll vouch that we haven’t had anything to drink. Just my mom’s cheesy-chicken casserole, green salad, and ice water. Anything else you want to know?”
I could kiss Hope right now. I could also kill her so she’d shut the fuck up, because she’s gonna get us both arrested. I love that she’s finding her spine, but with her ex’s police buddy probably isn’t the best place to do it.
“Do you have your license and registration for the rental car?” the deputy asks me, choosing to ignore Hope’s argumentative attack. But he’s gritting his teeth to do it.
“Yep. Wallet’s in my pocket.” Slowly, I get my license from my wallet and then gesture for Hope to move so I can get the rental paperwork from the console. She huffs as she plops back in her seat, crossing her arms over her chest and grumbling about “assholes all over this town who think they can do whatever the hell they want.”
I changed my mind. I only want to kiss her. And maybe give her a megaphone so she can shout her rant from the rooftops of the town hall or wherever people congregate so they’d hear her version of why she ran. They’d understand then, and nobody would be on Team Roy. Not even his daddy’s lackeys.
When I hand the paperwork over, Deputy West looks grateful to get the hell away from Hope, nearly running back toward his SUV and leaving us alone for a moment.
I don’t have any outstanding tickets, warrants, or offenses. I know that without a doubt. I’ve been a good boy for years, and even if I hadn’t been, AMM would’ve taken care of it. But I don’t trust that this deputy is playing by the rules, and I think there’s a very real possibility I’m leaving this traffic stop in the back of his SUV, to be taken to an undisclosed location for Roy to beat the shit out of me while his boys play hype squad and hold me down.
“It’s gonna be fine,” I tell Hope, keeping my voice steady even as I prepare to fight. “But if anything happens, the code for my phone is 1111. Sean’s in the contacts. Call him for me, okay?” I push my phone at her before she can say a word, though I catch the sudden flash of fear in her eyes as the seriousness of the situation hits her. But it’s too late to reassure her any further because the deputy returns.
He hands my paperwork back, but instead of telling us we can go, he puts his forearm above my window, leaning down so that his head’s nearly in the vehicle. At first, I think he’s trying to scan for illicit substances or do something sketchy, but then he clears his throat. His voice is still rough as he quietly tells me, “Been told to look for this vehicle, but everything seems to be in order. Be careful around here, Mr. Taylor. Maple Creek’s not always a friendly place.”
He’s not ripping me out of the car. He’s not escalating things to create a reason to arrest me. In fact, he seems to be trying to say something without saying it outright.
“Really? So far, everyone’s been pretty welcoming.” Disagreeing with an officer isn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done. Not the dumbest thing, either, though. And Hope’s doing a hell of a lot worse, leaning back over the console again to eavesdrop.
“Wait. Why are you looking for this car in particular, Brandon?” Hope asks, forgetting formality.