Page 68 of Love at First Rep

The opening notes of the Pokémon Theme blasted across the bullpen, Cole’s voice joining in. Garrett could picture Cole using the tube from his gift bag as his pretend microphone while he sang.

The program continued to download. Fifty percent, fifty-five, sixty…

Garrett double checked that the balloons still blocked the camera on the ceiling and turned back to the screen. Hell was about to break loose, and he hoped Campisi would be there to protect Cole.

Cole’s pipes weren’t half bad and he already knew all the words to the theme song. It was either that or a Taylor Swift breakup song. Garrett only wished he could see Jay’s face when Cole started singing. Someone had to be filming, and he’d track those videos down later.

Shit. I owe Cole big for this.

Garrett watched the loading bar hit ninety-five percent and readied himself to remove the drive and leave the room, trying to time it with Cole’s big distraction.

The song reached a crescendo as Cole held the last note and… BANG. Confetti sprayed across the bullpen. Officers around the room shouted and barked out orders. A cacophony filled the bullpen. Garrett couldn’t make out any words, but he didn’t hear gunshots, so he breathed a sigh of relief as he removed the drive and left McHugh’s office, rushing to join in the chaos on the other side of the room.

Some officers had removed their guns from their holsters after the bang from the confetti cannon, but everyone lowered them, none of them pointing a weapon at Cole. Cole lay on the floor, Detective Campisi over him, while Lucas cried in the corner of the room. Garrett’s tension eased now that he knew they were safe. He turned to Officer Hanks, who stood in front of Lucas protectively. Lucas muttered that he’d come back another time, walking backward until he spun and raced out of the building.

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” Campisi shouted over everyone. “It’s just a confetti cannon.”

McHugh laughed and tried to catch the confetti as it floated to the floor while Campisi helped Cole get to his feet.

“Well, that holiday-gram was a blast, huh?” Wilson said with an annoying smirk as he watched Cole. “Close one there, buddy.”

“All part of the deluxe package,” Cole said, head down as he pretended to be embarrassed. Inside, Garrett knew he was beaming. Cole grabbed the balloons from the ceiling and pulled a box of chocolates out of the gift bag, handing all of it over to Wilson. “This is my first client at a police station. I guess I should have thought that one through.”

“Are you kidding? That was awesome!” McHugh shouted. “We should do it again sometime. How can I hire you?”

Groans echoed around the room as McHugh continued talking to Cole about his nonexistent services. Everyone else got back to work, brushing confetti off their desks. Garrett laid a hand on Campisi’s shoulder as he walked by, squeezing it in thanks. Campisi nodded in response. They always had each other’s backs, but Garrett owed him too. Maybe he could take care of some of his paperwork so Campisi could get home early one night.

Everyone returned to their desks, and Garrett overheard Cole ask for a broom to clean up the confetti. He may have been a ball of chaos, but at least he took care of his own messes. Cole had an annoying penchant for confetti cannons, so much so that he kept them stocked in his house in case of a celebratory emergency, as Cole called it. In this case, it was exactly the thing Garrett needed for a handy distraction.

By the time Garrett finished his paperwork for the day, Cole and his confetti were gone.

Campisi spun in his chair, settling his elbows on Garrett’s desk.

“Hey, man, I’m getting ready to head out. Did you get a lot of work done today?”

Garrett kept his face blank. “Yup, got all my work done, thanks. I’m about to get out of here too.”

“Cool, I’ll walk out with you.”

Minutes later they waved goodbye to Cheryl, who had yet another fancy bouquet of flowers on her desk. Someone was working hard to win her affections.

As they walked down the front steps of the municipal building, Campisi chuckled.

“It really is never a dull day at work, huh?”

Garrett joined in his laughter. “You got that right.”

“Let me know if you need anything else.”

“You got it. I owe you one. Round up some paperwork I can take care of for you next week after I’ve dealt with all of this.”

“Good deal. See ya later, man,” Campisi said with a smile and a pat on Garrett’s back.

Garrett shot a text to Riley as he headed for his car, letting him know he was on his way over with the drive. Hopefully, it would help him find some answers.

As he drove to Riley and Josh’s condo, he wracked his brain for an explanation as to what Rafe could be up to. He had to wonder if there even was a mole in the department or if it was all some bullshit reason for Rafe to reenter his life. He just couldn’t figure out why. What was he hiding?

Garrett had some ideas—too many ideas, actually—but he hoped none of them were the case. He hoped he was overthinking, and he and Rafe could laugh about this when it was all over. The deeper he got, the less he considered that a possibility.