by Heather Lyn
“Nacole!” Brody’s voice booms and I jump, startled by the harshness of his voice.
“I’m sorry,” he says, wrapping an arm around my shoulders, trying to keep me steady. “I asked you three times if you were hurt anywhere else, and you’re starting to freak me out.”
“I’m fine,” I whisper as EMTs come into the bar. One heads straight for Chris, and the other comes over to us.
“You okay, ma’am?”
Brody pulls the towel off my hand and the guy goes about looking at the wound. I just want to leave. I need the safety of my home.
Reaching into his bag, the man bandages my hand up and then heads over to where Chris and the other EMT are. Jace is still over there, and when I dare to turn my head, I’m horrified to see how badly Chris is hurt.
Placing a towel to his forehead, they help him out of the bar, my eyes wide in fright. Brody never leaves my side, and after they have Chris loaded up, he walks me out back to his office, helping me sit down.
“Nacole, you’re really spooking me here. Are you okay?”
Shaking my head, I fold over in the chair and start to bawl, both from the fear I felt earlier and the embarrassment of my behavior. I’m a total wack job, and now everyone knows it.
Brody excuses himself for a second, and I try like hell to get it together. But I lose the battle when I look up through my tears to find Garret standing there, a sad smile on his face.
“Hey, you,” he says, and in seconds I’m off the chair and burying my face in his neck, his strong arms coming around me in comfort. “Shh, it’s okay. Are you all right?”
Shaking my head, I cling to him as he moves us farther into the room so he can shut the door behind us.
Pulling away, he carefully wipes my tears with the back of his hand.
“You know, darlin’, we really need to stop meeting like this,” he jokes, and I can’t help it. Somehow it breaks the cloud I’ve been in and I start laughing, his own husky chuckle in my ear.
“I’m so sorry,” I tell him, sitting down in the chair again.
Kneeling in front of me, he takes my injured hand and presses a soft kiss to the bandage.
“That’s better. I prefer your laugh to your tears,” he says.
“You and me both,” I groan.
In moments, Garret Walker has cast aside the shadows of my past.
And he doesn’t even know it.
CHAPTER SIX
Garret
Well that sure as hell wasn’t how my night off was supposed to go.
When Jace and I decided to go to Walker’s, I honestly just wanted a beer and something greasy to eat. We had a long shift, filled with one stupid asshole after another, and I couldn’t hide my excitement when Nacole came walking over to us. I wasn’t sure if she was working, but I was awfully happy to see she was.
After giving us our beers, she walked away, and my eyes stayed trained on that ass. I swear it would fill my hands perfectly. Jace gave me shit and I stopped staring at her, at least to stop having to listen to him.
But then the night went to shit when that asshole decided to attack a music superstar. From what I understand, Chris isn’t pressing charges, so he’ll probably be let off with some bullshit misdemeanor charge.
Once I finished explaining the situation to another officer, I was heading back inside when Brody came walking out from his office, an unreadable expression on his face. After he told me that Nacole had completely fallen apart in there, I pushed past him and went straight for her.
She went home early, not long after I finished seeing to her. Brody told her not to worry about it and he’d see her the next day. I watched her leave before heading back to my evening with Jace, though I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her.
I’m pulled from my thoughts when Caroline walks over to the table.
“You guys want another round?” she asks, and we both shake our heads. Two is Jace’s limit when he’s driving, and I’m not in the mood anymore.
Nodding, she clears away the empty glasses and plates, coming back a few minutes later with the check. I tell Jace I got it tonight and hand her my debit card.
While we’re waiting, Jace leans forward and folds his arms together on the table.
“What?” I ask.
“So, you and this Nacole chick, huh?”
I laugh. “‘Nacole chick’? It’s just Nacole, man. And we aren’t anything. We’re just friends.”
“That’s what they all say, buddy.”
“Yeah, the only difference is I’m dead serious. We’re friends. Drop it, Miller.”
Jace shakes his head at me as Caroline comes back over with the receipt and my card. I scribble my name and a tip and hand the slip back with a smile.
Waving to my brother as we’re walking out, we head to Jace’s truck and climb in.
He turns to me, his face serious. “I’m just saying, Garret. She seems to have no interest in anybody or anything, but she’s different with you. And you’re different with her.”
“I am?” I put my seat belt on and he starts the truck, driving to my house.
“Yeah, man. I can’t put my finger on it, but you are. I’ve known you for how long? Ridden besides you for a decade, longer even. I’m just waiting to see how long it takes before you both realize it and pull your heads from your asses.”
The rest of the drive is silent, and when we pull into my driveway, I bump his fist and climb out, heading straight inside. Locking the front door behind me, I drop my wallet and keys on the entry table and go to my bedroom. Plugging my cell in, I’m unbuttoning my jeans when my phone beeps with a text.
Unknown: Thank you for tonight, Garret.
Garret: Nacole?
Unknown: Yeah.
I quickly save her number into my phone before replying.
Garret: You feeling better?
Nacole: Yeah, I am. I appreciate you being so kind.
Garret: That’s just the kinda man I am.
Nacole: I think I’ve figured that out.
Smirking, I kick my pants off before climbing into my bed. Reaching for the remote on my end table, I switch on the end of the Braves game and settle back. Only a few minutes have passed when my phone chimes again.
Nacole: Do you think I could call you?
Garret: Now? Yeah, sure.
Waiting for my phone to light up with a call, I lower the volume on my TV. I’m shocked when a second later I receive an incoming FaceTime alert. Holding it up in front of my face, I hit Accept, and then I’m staring into those beautiful brown eyes.
“Hey,” I greet, giving her a large smile. I can’t handle how adorable she is when she waves at me, a tiny smile pulling at the corners of her mouth.
“Hi. Sorry if this is bad timing. I didn’t even think to ask if you were still out.”
“Nah, you’re fine. Got home a few minutes ago.”
Nodding, she tucks her hair behind her ear and chews on a fingernail. “I just got a new phone this morning, and I wanted to try out this app.”
“Ah, well feel free to video-call me all you want. I’m completely down with being your guinea pig,” I joke. Sitting up straighter, I tuck my arm behind my head and get comfortable.
“Plus, I mean, you are quite handsome. I was okay with getting to see you again.”
Well damn. Someone’s starting to get comfortable with me.
“Oh really?” I quip, raising an eyebrow.
She lets out a little giggle and I laugh with her, glad she’s finally starting to let those walls down.
“Oh gosh, I can’t believe I actually said that. I’m sorry.” Her cheeks darken and I smile.
“Don’t be. I like sassy Nacole. She’s pretty cute.”
Nacole blushes even harder and I love it. I’m trying to wrap my head around the fact that this is the same girl from earlier. So confident, so relaxed, so fucking beautiful. She has on absolutely no makeup, her hair down around her shoulders. I can’t help wondering if it’s as soft as it looks.
<
br /> “You’re not so bad yourself.”
“Thank you. So, you doing okay? You really had Brody and me worried earlier.”
“Yeah, that’s actually the reason I called you, Garret.” Her face takes on a serious look and she sighs, brushing her hair off her shoulders. “I know it’s so silly, but that guy freaked me out. I don’t know, it was like I was locked in this bubble, and my brain couldn’t push past the fear I felt when he shoved me over.”
“Seriously, you don’t need to apologize, I get it. I see so much shit every time I’m on the clock that nothing fazes me anymore. But I understand where you’re coming from. That guy was huge and strong, and he really did a number on Hines. Would’ve freaked anyone out.”
“I appreciate you saying that. Really.”
“Of course.”
An awkward silence hits, and I just sit there staring at her.
What the hell is it about this girl? Shit, is Jace right? Do I like her? No, I don’t. Hell, I don’t even know anything about her beyond her name and job, and where she lives. That’s all.
“So, tell me all about Nacole Ward.”
“Nothing really to tell. I’m a waitress.”
“Bullshit. There has to be something you want to share with me.”
Nacole bites down on her bottom lip in thought, and then a huge smile a mile wide spreads across her face. “I can make deep-fried Oreos, I know how to crochet, I can—”
I hold a hand up. “Stop. Repeat what you just said.”
“I can crochet.”
“No, before that.”
She raises an eyebrow. “I can make deep-fried Oreos?”
“Yeah, that. Tell me more about that.”
“Uh, they’re chocolate sandwich cookies—”
“No, I mean tell me when you can make them and I’m there. Literally.”
Throwing her head back, she laughs loudly, and I love every second of it. “God, what are you, five? They’re not that special.”
“I’m gonna pretend you didn’t just say that.”
Laughing harder, she wipes a tear from her face and shakes her head at me. “Garret Walker, what am I going to do with you?”
“Take me on a date?” I say, surprising even myself.
Her eyes almost pop out of her head, but I see a trace of a smile.
“No, thank you. But nice try.”
Both laughing, we talk for a little while longer before ending the call to go to bed. Long after we say good night, I’m left reeling over her.
Yeah, friends, my ass. I like her, and I’ll be damned if I don’t at least try to get her. No matter how long it takes.
§
“Walker, you got a second?” Looking up from my desk, Jonah Clarke, the station’s sergeant, is in front of me, smile on his face.
“Sure, what’s up, Sarge?”
“So, a little birdie told me you’re taking the detective’s exam this fall?”
“Shit.” Standing from my desk, I move around it so I’m in front of him. “I’ve been meaning to tell you. I just didn’t want to make a big thing of it.”
He holds a hand up, stopping me from continuing, then extends it to me. I shake it and he smiles at me again.
“It’s about damn time, Walker.” My eyebrows shoot up in shock, and he chuckles. “Garret, you’re a damn fine cop. One of the best we have in this district, and I’m glad to see you using that talent towards furthering your career. Best of luck, son.”
He strolls away, leaving me with my jaw hanging open. Somehow I force myself to get rid of the shit-eating grin on my face. Sergeant Clarke doesn’t dish out compliments to just anyone. He’s a good guy, but he’s also a hard-ass on everyone in the department.
Broken from my thoughts by my ringing phone, I glance down at the screen and see it’s Brody. Answering, I sit back down, getting comfortable. “Hey, bro.”
“Garret, glad I caught you. Listen, are you busy tonight?”
“No, I’m off work in just a couple hours. Why, what’s up?”
“Linds wanted to throw a get-together, and like my lovely wife always does, it’s last fucking minute.”
Laughing, I nod in understanding. “Yeah, that does sound like her. What time? I’ll be there.”
“Five? I’m inviting Hunter and Grayson too. Noah and Chase have some family dinner tonight.”
“Sounds good, man. I’ll see you then.”
“Oh, one other thing.” There’s a hint of laughter in Brody’s voice, and I brace myself for whatever stupidity he has up his sleeve.
“What?”
“Lindsey wants Nacole there. Invite her? Thanks, see you tonight.” Brody ends the call and I’m left cursing him out.
Fucker knows exactly what he’s doing.
It takes all of five minutes to follow through with what he asked. Clearly he and my sister-in-law are playing matchmaker, but they don’t seem to realize that this isn’t exactly a chore for me. I’d love nothing more than to see her tonight.
Pulling up her number, I hit Call and hold my breath, waiting for her to answer.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Nacole
I pace my small living room, wringing my hands together. This was a bad idea. I shouldn’t have agreed to this. Garret called me a couple of hours ago, asking if I would go with him to a party at Brody’s. Said it wasn’t him asking me out, that it was as friends, and they all wanted me there. I agreed, and I’ve spent the last two hours questioning that decision.
Dressed in a navy cotton dress and a pair of flats, I left my hair down, no makeup on. Not that I’d brought any with me, even if I wanted to wear it. Graham always insisted I was done up to the nines everywhere we went, saying I looked better that way. Now I hate makeup and relish the fact that I never have to wear it if I don’t want to.
Heading back into my kitchen, I grab a bottle of water and down half of it in a few gulps, hands shaking. I shouldn’t be nervous, but I am.
Sitting down at the tiny table I bought earlier this week, I take a few deeps breaths, trying to reassure myself.
You know Garret.
He’s a good guy.
You’re safe with him.
Brody is your boss.
You’re safe.
When there’s a knock at my front door, I look out the peephole to see Garret standing there, hands in his front pockets. Letting out a sigh of relief, I unlock the several locks and pull the door open. Dressed in a pair of tight jeans, boots, and a gray shirt, he’s out-of-this-world gorgeous.
His curly hair has been cut recently, brushed back and off his face. His blue eyes bore into mine, lips turned up in a smile as he takes me in.
“What?” I ask, brushing my hair off my shoulders.
“You look beautiful,” he states, and my cheeks heat at the compliment.
Reaching over to the couch for my purse, I step outside and close the door behind me, locking it tight.
“Let’s roll, darlin’.”
Walking me over to the passenger side of his Jeep, he opens the door for me and I hop inside, pulling the seat belt over me. Garret climbs in and does his own buckle, turning to me with a smile.
“What?” I ask again, raising an eyebrow at him.
“Nothing. I’m just really glad you’re coming tonight is all.”
“Me too,” I tell him honestly.
Starting the engine, he backs out of my driveway and we’re on our way. The drive is short, country music playing quietly in the background. He tells me we’re almost there, and I lean forward to turn up the music. Blake Shelton has always been one of my favorites, and this song is one of my most adored songs. Singing along quietly, I almost miss Garret staring over at me while we wait for the stoplight. When we pull into Brody’s driveway a few minutes later, he parks and turns to me.
“So, remember how I said you needed to see a concert?”
“Yeah, I do. Why?”
“Well, I got us tickets to that festival I was talking about. It’s next Thursday.”
&
nbsp; “Okay?”
Garret shakes his head at me, chuckling. “I’m taking you, okay?”
“We’ll see, buddy.”
Climbing down, I shut the door behind me and come around the hood, Garret meeting me halfway. He offers me his arm and I laugh, linking mine through his. His warm skin against mine has butterflies dancing in my stomach, and my skin prickles. His left hand comes down to cover mine and we walk inside.
“Hey, fucker, we’re here!” he shouts, and I look at him in surprise.
“Garret, that’s not exactly the kindest way to introduce us,” I gasp.
He laughs loudly. “Just you wait.”
Brody strolls in a second later, beer bottle in hand. “Hey, twatsicle. Glad you could grace us with your not-so-lovely presence.”
Garret lets go of my arm and steps toward Brody, grabbing him into a headlock. They horse around for just a moment, and then Garret drapes his arm around his brother’s shoulders, looking at me with a grin.
“Nacole, glad you came,” Brody says. I thank him as Garret reaches out for me.
Excusing us, I follow him out back to the kitchen, where a large porch is attached. We step outside to the deck and find everyone waiting on us. Music is playing from a set of speakers, and I see Lindsey down on the grass, talking to another set of couples.
Garret offers me a beer and I shake my head. I haven’t touched alcohol in years, and I don’t plan to. Alcohol makes people angry, and anger leads to hurt. I don’t ever want to turn into somebody I’m not—I already have a hard enough time just being me. He offers me a soda from the cooler and I take it with a smile, following him down to where everyone is.
“Nacole!” Lindsey shrieks, and I laugh when she bolts over to me, giving me a hard hug. Leaving her arm around my shoulders, she walks me over to everyone. “Girl, this is Hunter Daniels and his wife, Carmen. And that’s Grayson Michaels and his wife, Kennedy.”
They all wave and say hello, and I do the same, slightly intimidated. Their wives are drop-dead gorgeous, and Grayson is huge, at least six-four. No part of me fits in here, but they all seem nice and I tell myself to relax. This could be a lot of fun if I could just calm down and stop overthinking things.