“You coming tonight?” Ryker asks on our way to a domestic call.
“No,” I tell him, distracted. “Can’t.”
Normally Ryker wouldn’t be coming on a call with me, but it’s a domestic call for a city councilman in Badger Canyon; a little more than your run of the mill DV incident. He needs to manage the politics of it all.
“You used to be good back in the day. Not as good as my record, though,” Ryker muses, trying to get a rise out of me, I think.
He’s been trying to get me to join the recreational football team since I started. It’s made up of a mix of the sheriff’s department and RMPD. Usually they play against the fire department.
“My shoulder is still healing. The last thing I need is some hefty fireman tackling me to the ground.”
He snorts. “It’s flag football.”
I toss him a wry glance. We both know nobodyadheres to the rules and mainly use the game as away to take out their aggressions. Aggressions that were probably caused because of their jobs. It’s a toxic cycle.
“Ran into your girlfriend the other day,” he says, pivoting the conversation. There’s humor in his voice.
He must be in a shit mood because he doesn’t usually try to goad me twice in less than ten minutes.
I blow out an exhale. “She’s not my girlfriend.”
“Oh, I know.”
I stay silent, because I’d rather not discuss Ellie. Especially at work. I’m a private guy and Ellie is never a topic I feel comfortable discussing when she’s not around.
“I can’t believe a knockout like her is still single,” he continues.
Yep, don’t like that at all. Ryker is married, but he wouldn’t be the first married guy I’ve worked with to stray. It’s kind of a rampant epidemic in law enforcement.
“Relax.” He must’ve noticed the tension in my shoulders, the way my fists are clenched. “Claire and I are happy. She’s fucking pregnant, dude. I’m not looking at your girl like that, I’m just trying to figure out what’s taking you so damn long. All it’s going to take is the right guy coming around, and your window will close. Hell, it should’ve closed a long time ago. You’re on borrowed time, my friend. Unless of course she’s not interested in giving you another shot.”
I grunt in response, hoping he drops the subject. And thankfully we’re almost there.
The councilman lives on the outskirts of Badger Canyon, just outside city limits. When we arrive, the scene is about what I expect—two local patrol cars already parked out front, lights flashing, and a handful of neighbors loitering nearby, trying to look inconspicuous while blatantly watching.
“Borrowed time,” I grumble under my breath, glaring atRyker as I put the car in park. “Since when do you give a shit about my personal life.”
He shrugs, a shit eating grin plastered on his face. “Those Ledger sisters are something else. You seen the little one lately? Ariana? If I were ten years younger…”
He trails off, his eyebrows lifting suggestively. I know what he’s doing. And I’m going to let him get to me.
“I’m just saying.” He grins like a smug bastard. “A woman like Elyse doesn’t stay single forever. Tick-tock.” He points to his watch for dramatic effect.
I slam the car door harder than necessary and start toward the house. “Pretty sure there are more pressing matters than my love life, Sheriff.”
He jogs to catch up, still chuckling. “I’m just giving you shit. You make it too easy—you’re the most laid-back guy until someone mentions Elyse, then you turn into a damn bulldog. I want to see you two get back together. Hell, pretty sure the whole town wants that. Well, except Morales.”
I ignore the Morales dig, not wanting to add fuel to the fire. It’s bad enough the whole station found out she showed up to my house. That, paired with her blatant flirting, even Ryker’s taken notice.
“Glad to know my personal life is keeping everyone entertained,” I deadpan.
Ryker doesn’t reply because the front door bursts open, and a man in his late forties storms out, waving his arms dramatically. He’s dressed in a stained tank top and cargo shorts, and I can already tell this is going to be one ofthosecalls.
“Officer, you need to arrest her!” he shouts, pointing toward the house like it’s on fire. “She’s unhinged! Destroyed my car with a baseball bat!”
“Holy shit,” Ryker says quietly as we approach.
“Sir, why don’t you calm down and tell us what happened?” I say, keeping my tone even.
