The Officer's Promise (Brothers in Blue Book 1)

by K. Langston

“I didn’t. I swear.”

  “Don’t lie to me. I saw you. The way you smiled at him. The way you licked your lips each time he spoke to you or even paid you a little bit of attention. You eat that shit up, don’t you? Men looking at you. Wanting to fuck that pretty little cunt. Well, I think it’s time for me to remind you who you belong to.”

  He spread my legs wide, fresh tears burning my skin as I surrendered to him.

  I stopped fighting a long time ago.

  “You better not fucking come.” His bourbon stained breath met my ear in a harsh whisper.

  He doesn’t have to worry about that.

  I couldn’t, even if I tried.

  I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her. Or the past. Like a ghost, my memories of her had haunted me for so long. When she moved away, I called every single day, but her grandmother said she didn’t want to talk to me or Reese, my twin sister and MaryAnn’s best friend. We found it strange, but we also understood she was going through a lot. She’d lost both of her parents in the most horrific act of terrorism this country had ever seen and subsequently uprooted from the only home she’d ever known.

  Thoughts of her assaulted me constantly. Memories that had long been forgotten had begun to resurface, as well as all of the old feelings.

  Feelings that had never gone away.

  I never understood, after the promises we made to one another, why she wouldn’t return my calls.

  The following week, she came in again. This time, she wasn’t wearing the sunglasses, and I was relieved to see her eye had healed. I knew it wasn’t a good idea to obsess over her, but for some reason, that ring on her finger did not stop me.

  When she approached the drink fountain, I stepped up next to her, seeking those soft blue eyes I remembered so well now.

  “Hi.”

  “Hi, Ryker.” Her greeting held a trace of uncertainty but then her face lit up with a smile. My fucking chest tightened with the need to hear my name on her lips again.

  She resumed her task of filling two large cups with water.

  “Told Reesey I ran into you. She threatened my life if I didn’t pass her number along next time I saw you. She wants to catch up.”

  Another smile broke free, and I swear it made the room brighter. “She always hated when you called her Reesey.”

  I chuckled. “Still does.”

  “How is she?”

  “Crazy as ever. She’s backpacking through Europe with a bunch of her friends right now. Not a care in the world. The girl practically lives out of a suitcase.”

  There was a look of longing in her eyes, but she quickly shielded it.

  I pulled a pen from the pocket of my uniform shirt, clicking it open as I reached for a napkin to write Reese’s number down for her. “She’s coming home next month for my parents’ fortieth. You should give her a call.”

  When I held out the napkin, her smile faded and she looked at my offered hand like it was holding a bomb. “I—I’m sorry, I can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “I just…I’m really busy,” she said, turning away from me.

  “Too busy to catch up with an old friend?”

  My accusing tone quickly returned her gaze to mine, something dark flashed in her troubled eyes, putting me on edge. The pain buried there was deeply rooted, and my immediate instinct was to protect her from it.

  With my line of work, it wouldn’t take much to guess what she was trying so desperately to hide. I wanted to get to the bottom of it. I wanted to get to the bottom of a lot of things. But I didn’t want to throw the accusation out there and scare her away.

  She reached for the straw bin, and that’s when I noticed a nasty bruise on her forearm.

  “Ticket number 156!”

  “I’m so sorry…I have to go.”

  Gritting my teeth, I watched with a tightness in my chest as she retrieved her order and rushed out the door.

  * * *

  She didn’t come in the following week.

  Or the next.

  I found myself constantly worried about her. It was driving me crazy, and I needed to know she was okay. Today was my day off, but I went to the West Side Deli for lunch anyway. I’d been here every single day since, hoping like hell she’d show up.

  I’d almost given up for the day, after sitting here for the last four hours, when she finally walked in. Rain pelted the sidewalk outside but she was wearing those damn sunglasses again.

  Anger simmered in my blood as I slid from the booth, halting her before she could even place her order.

  She kept her chin tucked to her chest, eyes trained on the floor as she tried to sidestep me.

  “Whoa, MaryAnn, are you all right?”

  Her gaze lifted to mine, and I could see the dark shadow beneath the tinted shades. “I’m fine.”

  “Are you? Because you don’t look fine. Come sit with me for a minute. Let’s talk.”

  “I can’t, I’m in a hurry.”

  “Listen, I just want to be your friend. Remember when we were friends and we could talk and trust each other?”

  Her lip trembled. “Please, I just need to get my order and get home. If I’m gone too long he’ll—”

  She snapped her mouth closed, realizing her mistake.

  “He’ll what?”

  “Nothing, never mind.” She shoved me aside and made her way to the counter to place her order. Once she had her cup in hand, I met her over by the fountain.

  “Listen, I appreciate your concern, but like I told you before, I’m fine,” she tossed out, refusing to look in my direction.

  She continued to shift her face away from me, and I was growing more and more irritated by the second. “I don’t believe you.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I said I don’t believe you. I think you’re far from fine. I think you’re in danger and need help.”

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “I’m not stupid, MaryAnn. I’m a fucking cop for Christ’s sake.”

  She recoiled, and I instantly regretted the anger in my tone. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Then why are you wearing sunglasses when it’s raining outside?”

  “My contacts were giving me problems this morning and—”

  I reached up, gently pulling them down her nose, revealing her eyes, the right one damn near swollen shut.

  “Jesus,” I gritted. She quickly shoved them back in place, spinning away from me. “Who did that to you?”

  “No one.”

  “MaryAnn—”

  “God, why are you doing this? Why can’t you mind your own business and leave me the hell alone?”

  I stepped in front of her, gently cupping her elbow. “I just want to help you.”

  “I don’t need your help.”

  “Your husband did that, didn’t he? And the bruise I saw a couple of weeks ago, he did that, too.”

  “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Then call me a liar.”

  Silence hung heavy between us.

  “Why stay? Why not leave him?” I asked, desperate to know why someone as strong and beautiful as her would put up with a piece of shit like that.

  “Because I’m more afraid to leave than stay.”

  “Ticket number 298!”

  She jerked from my grasp, snatched her order off the counter, and stormed out without a second glance.

  Standing in front of the mirror, I drew in several deep breaths.

  You can do this.

  You can do this.

  I repeated the words over and over again, staring at my reflection, hoping they would sink through to the darkness that had consumed me.

  You’re not the girl I once knew.

  What happened to her? The strong, independent, vivacious woman who had an opinion.

  Who had a voice.

  She’d disappeared.

  Buried beneath the bruises, secrets, and lies.

  I was suf
focating. The will to breathe, much less live, becoming ominous by the day.

  I can’t do this.

  Where would I go? What would I do? He’d completely alienated me from everyone. I had no family left. My grandmother passed away last year from heart disease. The few friends I had were either deemed by him to be bad influences or unnecessary. He made sure to seclude me from everyone and everything so I would be completely dependent on him.

  Nausea rolled in my belly, thinking about how much control he had over me. How did I let it come to this? How did I let it get this far?

  I thought he loved me. I thought he would change. If I could just be good enough, he wouldn’t do it anymore.

  But this morning had been the final straw. Last night he’d backhanded me for not having dinner on the table by seven sharp, so I was on edge this morning anyway, doing my best to make sure everything was exactly the way he wanted it.

  Once again, I’d failed.

  His eggs weren’t cooked properly and that earned me a swift knee to my stomach. I was sent flying across the kitchen before he knelt down beside me and fisted my hair in one of his hands, lifting my face to his.

  “Shitty cook and a shitty lay. Why the fuck do I even keep you around?”

  Once I somehow managed to pick myself up, I knew I had to get out of there. He was never going to stop and it was only getting worse. If I didn’t leave soon, I might not be able to pick myself up off the floor next time.

  It would be remiss of me to think my newfound bravery wasn’t because of Ryker.

  Ryker Cunningham.

  I closed my eyes, remembering the boy I once knew. The boy I fell in love with all those years ago.

  My first true love.

  “MaryAnn, what do you think you’re doing, young lady?” my mother asked, propping her hands on her slender hips.

  “Just one more piece, Mom, please?”

  “You’ve had two pieces already. You’ll get a bellyache if you eat any more.”

  “I know, but it’s my birthday. Pretty please. With a cherry on top. And sprinkles?”

  “Okay, one more small piece and then that’s it, I’m putting it away.”

  “You’re the best mom, have I ever told you that?”

  I kissed her cheek, finding comfort in her scent.

  Cookies and vanilla.

  “Don’t stay up too late, we have church in the morning.”

  “I won’t.”

  I hurried back outside, balancing the cake in my hands as I followed the stone trail leading out to my tree house. This piece of cake wasn’t for me, it was for Ryker. Boys weren’t allowed in after dark, so I lied and said it was for me.

  I’d been disappointed when he didn’t come to my birthday party. He had a baseball game and couldn’t make it, but he was here now.

  In my tree house.

  Was this real life?

  Never in a million years did I think I’d fall for Ryker Cunningham. He was not only my best friend’s twin brother but one of my closest friends, too.

  It was a disaster in the making.

  But a beautiful disaster indeed. I was so crazy about him. He had a way of making my heart race like no one else. If he wasn’t sneaking heart-stopping glances, he was always finding ways to touch or tickle me. And he was forever stealing my hair ties. I played on like he got on my nerves, but I secretly looked forward to it every day in first period.

  I almost melted into a big fat puddle on the floor when he showed up earlier, apologizing for missing my party and telling me happy birthday.

  Then he hugged me.

  Ryker had hugged me before, but never like this.

  That hug was special.

  So special he needed cake.

  Cake?

  Really, MaryAnn? What were you thinking?

  I wasn’t.

  My mind got all jumbled after he hugged me and my skin grew tighter. It was something I’d never felt before, and I got all nervous. That’s when I offered him cake and ran out of there like an idiot.

  Ryker loved cake. Even more than me, and I loved cake a lot.

  Oh, and doughnuts.

  Ryker loved doughnuts.

  But we didn’t have any doughnuts.

  So cake would have to do. Balancing the paper plate with one hand, I clung to the wooden rungs with my other, slowly climbing my way up, my heart pounding with anticipation.

  Ryker opened the door when I got to the top, reaching for my free hand. “Where’d you run off to?” he asked, helping me inside.

  I held out the piece of cake as he released my hand.

  Why did his voice sound so different now?

  Why did all of my senses seem more attuned to him? I knew turning thirteen was a big deal, but this was crazy. My body was as confused as my mind.

  Reese was sitting on the mattress on the floor, eyes glued to the TV, the latest episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer earning her full attention. I’d been anxious to find out what happened to Angel too, but now I didn’t really care.

  “Thanks for the cake.”

  “No problem. Thanks for the hug,” I replied.

  Oh my God, did I really just say that?

  What was wrong with me? What was wrong with my mouth? Something was definitely wrong with my stupid mouth. There didn’t seem to be anything wrong with his mouth though. It appeared to be working just fine. It was moving after all. Was he talking? Why couldn’t I hear anything except the blood pumping through my ears?

  “MaryAnn?”

  I blinked. “Huh?”

  “Did you hear what I just said?” he whispered, looking over his shoulder.

  “No. Why are you whispering?”

  He leaned in closer, bringing his mouth to my ear. “When Reese falls asleep, meet me outside.”

  “What for?” I whispered back.

  “So I can give you your birthday gift.”

  “Why didn’t you just bring it up here, silly?”

  “Because it’s a surprise.”

  Excitement danced in my belly, two-stepping with the butterflies that had permanently taken up residence there, too. He looked so cute in his dirty baseball uniform, with his hat turned around backward. I loved it when he wore his hat like that.

  He also looked a little nervous.

  And I loved that, too.

  “Okay.”

  I got goose bumps all over when his lips met my cheek. It was so stealth and quick, landing like a burning flame to my cheek before he brushed past me to leave.

  It burned for the next two hours.

  I didn’t think Reese would ever fall asleep. I wanted to tell her so bad, but each time I tried, the words wouldn’t come out.

  Putting on my sweater, I was almost out the door before Reese’s voice scared the bejesus out of me.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Um…”

  Shoot.

  Would she be mad if I told her the truth?

  “I know you’re going to meet my brother.”

  “Reese, I—”

  “Listen, I got one rule. If you date my brother, any of my brothers, you have to promise never to share any of the intimate details.”

  “Geez, Reese, we’re not having sex. I was just kind of hoping for a kiss.”

  “Yeah, I don’t want to talk about that either.”

  “So, are you okay with this?”

  “Of course I am. I already knew.”

  “You did?”

  “Ryker told me how he felt about you a long time ago. I didn’t like it at first. I don’t want to share my best friend with anyone else, but I guess I have to at some point, right? Best to just…keep it all in the family.”

  I laughed. “Well, thanks for that.”

  “You’re welcome. All I know is you two better make it work. I don’t want no messy breakup.”

  “Reese, will you relax? You have us fictionally breaking up when we’re not even realistically together yet.”

  “Whatever, I’m going to sleep now so you can go fall
in love.”

  “All right, I’ll be back.”

  “Okay.”

  “Hey, MaryAnn?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Happy birthday.”

  “Thanks, Reesey!”

  The throw pillow narrowly missed my head before I made my escape.

  Ryker was waiting for me as I hopped down the last rung. He’d changed out of his uniform and showered, wearing a Yankees T-shirt, blue jeans, and tennis shoes.

  Gosh, he smelled so good.

  He held his finger over his lips when I opened my mouth to speak then reached for my hand, pulling me toward the row of shrubs that separated our yards. There was an opening that we used to go back and forth to each other’s houses.

  “Where are we going?” I asked when we made it to the other side.

  “We always swing on your birthday.”

  “Swing? Ryker, in case you forgot, I turned thirteen today. I’m too old to swing.”

  His low laugh made my heart do a backflip. “You’re never too old to swing.”

  Leading me to the old wooden swing set in his backyard, he clasped my hand tighter. My skin prickled with nerves and my heart leaped in my chest when his blue eyes met mine underneath that August moon.

  “There’s something I need to tell you first, before I give you your gift.”

  “Oh, okay.”

  If I wasn’t nervous before, I was dying now.

  Shifting on his feet, he took a step closer. “I like you, MaryAnn. I like you a whole lot. I’ve tried to tell you so many times, but I could never find the right words.”

  I gasped, reveling in his confession. “I really like you too, Ryker.”

  There goes my stupid mouth again, or maybe it wasn’t stupid considering the smile it just put on his adorable face.

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, I do,” I admitted. “I like you a whole lot, too.”

  “Thank God,” he said, wrapping his arms around my waist, pulling me in for a hug and burying his face in my hair.

  “So does this mean you’ll be my girl?” he asked against my neck.

  “You want me to be your girl?”

  He pulled back, looking into my eyes. “Yes, and I want to kiss you. All the time. Every day. I can’t even fall asleep at night without thinking about kissing you.”

  My mouth had gone completely dry.

  “You want to kiss me?”

  I’d never been kissed before. Not properly anyway. Evan Rogers gave me a peck kiss once last year on the bus, but it was so freaking awkward.