Page 87 of Under the Radar

My friends all nodded.

I tore off my beanie and scrubbed my head. “I’m getting sick and tired of this asshole. What was the point?”

“To inconvenience you,” Maxx muttered.

“Annoy you,” Stefano added.

“Cost you money. Piss you off,” Dom mused.

“Mission accomplished on all the above. Thank God you guys were around.”

Maxx laughed. “He hadn’t counted on that. He thought you’d be stranded.”

“I can’t prove it was him.”

“No. He’s good. But I’m afraid we can’t buff this one out, Chase. You’ll have to drive a company truck for a while.”

“Hannah wants to go to her chief with her suspicions.”

They looked at each other, then Stefano spoke. “It could backfire.”

“I know. I am hesitant.”

Dom rubbed his chin, looking thoughtful. “She could just go with the facts. Your run-ins. Him abusing his position.”

“But is he really? He’s a cop. I’m a convict. His word against mine.”

“You’re not a convict,” Maxx growled. “You made a fucking mistake, and it’s in the past. Stop letting him throw you back there. If Charly hears you talking like that, she’ll kick your ass.”

I smiled ruefully, knowing he was right.

“And he was purposely following you. Anyone else doing ten over the limit on that road would have been left alone. Same with you in the parking lot. He was trumping things up.”

“I’ll see what happens this week. If anything else odd occurs, I’ll go with Hannah and see her boss.” I was getting weary of this asshole ruining everything Hannah and I did together. Inserting himself without even being there. Destroying the memories of what should be happy days. It was getting on my nerves, and I wanted it to stop. I hated that it upset Hannah. I hated that it made me angry, and I worried about losing it and doing something I regretted, which I knew was what he wanted. He thought if he pushed me enough, I would make a mistake and blow up and somehow give him what he needed to show Hannah I was nothing but a screw-up. That he was the better guy for her.

But he was wrong. I was the right man for Hannah, and for her, I would remain calm. But it didn’t mean I wouldn’t fight back if I had the chance.

Maxx met my eyes. “We’ll be your character witnesses if needed. We’ve got your back, Chase.”

Stefano and Dom nodded in agreement. I had to swallow the lump in my throat before responding.

“Thanks.”

I glanced at my truck, hoping they wouldn’t be needed. That I wouldn’t have to go and talk to anyone. That the asshole didn’t have anything else planned.

Even though, deep in my heart, I knew he did.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Hannah

I carried my lunch outside, sitting at one of the picnic tables set up at the back of the station. Last night, Chase had been in charge of making lunches, and when I opened my container, I saw he’d added an extra something. I opened the slightly oddly shaped heart, reading his little note.

Have a good day.

Can’t wait to see you at home later.

Love you, Cinnamon.