Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
When I didn’t say anything, he frowned. “Are you and Caden a thing?”
It was my turn to laugh. “God, no. He doesn’t like me, and I’m not really a fan of his, either.”
“He’s a nice guy. Why don’t you like him?”
I screwed up my nose. “Where to even start.” I waved my hands and said, “You know what, it’s not worth talking about. Enough of that. Did you always want to be a cop?”
“I have, yes. There’s never a dull moment here, even though we’re not a big city. With all the tourists, it keeps us on our toes. I’m sure River Falls is a lot quieter. I’d love to work there, but it’s such a small police force that it’s hard to get in.”
“You don’t know anyone who can get you in?” I asked.
Winking, he replied, “My father is best friends with the River Falls chief of police, but it would be frowned upon if he fired one of his officers to make room for his friend’s son.”
“I would say so,” I laughed.
As the night went on, Mike and I got to know each other better, and I hardly saw Moreen and Ensley. They would occasionally come to the table, get a drink, then head back to the dance floor. I’d had one too many beers and was starting to feel tipsy. When the waitress came back with some shots, Ensley grabbed one for herself, then pushed another in my direction.
“I don’t think I should. I’m starting to get a serious buzz.”
“That’s why we’re out,” Ensley insisted. “To get wasted!”
I frowned. “No, we came out to have a bit of fun. I don’t want to get wasted, and you’re supposed to be the designated driver, Ensley!”
“Ensley, maybe you should slow down. You said you have to work tomorrow, remember?” Moreen added. She, herself, had been knocking them back, but she could clearly hold her liquor better than Ensley and me.
Ensley pouted, but she put the shot down and pushed it away.
Steve returned to the table, and when I looked up at him, the room spun.
“Whoa,” I giggled. “I think it’s kicking in.”
“How did you get here?”
The voice sounded familiar, but it wasn’t Steve’s or Mike’s…not even Jack’s. When I looked around, I asked, “Who said that?”
Ensley giggled. “Hey, big brother! Here for your monthly date with your fuck buddy?”
I giggled again—but not because seeing Caden made me the least bit happy—as I looked from Ensley to a very angry-looking Caden. I’ll blame it on the alcohol for sure because seeing him up close was the last thing I wanted.
“Are you serious right now, Ensley?” Caden asked.
Ensley pointed to Mike and Steve. “Look! It’s Mike and Steve. I didn’t even know who they were at first, but I’ll be goddamned if they didn’t know you from football.”
Caden exhaled. “Thanks for coming to get me, Steve.”
“I’ll give Lilibeth a ride home,” Mike said.
Before I could decline myself, Caden said, “You let them get this drunk and you actually think I’m going to let you take them home?”
“He’s a police officer…er…er,” Ensley said with a laugh. “He can be trusted. Right, Mike?”
Mike remained quiet this time.
“Can you help her out to my truck?” Caden asked Steve, who quickly helped Ensley stand up.
“There you go, sweetheart,” Steve said, as Ensley struggled to get her balance. I hadn’t realized she’d drunk so much.
“Why, thank you, handsome!” Ensley replied, as she leaned against him heavily.
Mike reached out a hand to help me stand—although I didn’t need any help—when Caden shoved himself between us. “I’ve got her. Thanks, Mike.”
Lifting his hands in surrender, Mike stepped back. “Sure thing.”
Caden took me by the elbow and started to guide me through the bar.
I tugged my arm away. “I don’t need any help.”
It was such a shame I didn’t see the chair in my way before I said that, which caused me to trip and fall to my knees.
“Damn it all to hell, Lilibeth,” Caden said, picking me up and carrying me as if I weighed nothing.
“I can walk!” I protested, as I attempted to get out of his arms, but to no avail. Once we got outside, I figured he’d put me down. Instead, he carried me through the parking lot and to his truck.
“Put me down, Caden!” I shouted.
Once we were at his truck, he carefully put me on my feet. I was about to yell at him again, but my stomach lurched—and I swiftly covered my mouth with my hand.
Caden stared at me, then closed his eyes. “Please tell me you’re not about to throw up.”
When he opened his eyes again, I nodded, then quickly turned and started to hurl.
Caden was suddenly there, holding my hair back as I threw up repeatedly, until all I had left were dry heaves.
When those finally stopped, it felt like all the energy had been poured out of me. I stood and swayed. Caden produced a bottle of water from God knows where.