Page 23 of Back to Me
“No, it’s okay, we can go. Not like we won’t all be doing this again soon. Let’s go, sleeping beauty.” I elbowed him before moving over to hug Dallas and Belle goodbye. With a fist bump and a goodbye to the guys, he wrapped an arm back around me and we headed out to the carpark.
“Are you okay to drive?”
“I’m fine, I have been drinking water for the last few hours.”
“Are you sure you want to risk it with your brother on the warpath?”
“No, I think it’s one thing to threaten us with that but another to try to arrest us. Plus, he doesn’t work in the squad cars since becoming detective.” We went out to his truck, and he opened the door for me. Closing it once I was in, he moved around to the driver’s side and got in. Starting it up, I closed my eyes and laid it back against the seat.
“I’m sorry, did I keep you out too late?” I shook my head.
“No, lack of sleep from last night is catching up to me though.”
“Don’t worry, I will have you home and in bed before you know it.”
“My hero.” I laughed and looked over at him. I didn’t want to admit that I wanted him in bed with me. I didn’t want to make things awkward between us when things were all starting to go back to how it used to be. “Did Grady talk to you about his ex?”
“Nah, he said that it was her story to tell and if she wanted us to know it, then she would. I have to respect that. I would hate to have someone in my business. I did, however, find out that we do know her.”
“Oh, who is she?”
“Chief Bryant’s daughter. She was younger than us though, so we never really spent time with his kids. I was always too busy with Beau and Cash or you, Tye, and Dallas.”
“That makes sense. Wow, what a small world.”
“What about you? Did you and Dallas clear the air?”
“I think so. I felt like something had shifted but I don’t know if that was just the alcohol or not. What did you and Tye talk about when you went into his office?”
“He just mentioned how nervous she had been leading up to tonight, which is why I suggested pool.”
“That was a good idea. Even if you and I do wipe the floor with most teams.”
“I don’t know, I think Beau and Belle could be competition.”
“He was always good. It’s a good thing we could team him up with Dallas when Cash and Savannah weren’t around because Tye was just tragic.”
“He still is!” I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Maybe he can just be bar bitch from now on and Dallas can team up with Grady. He didn’t seem too bad.”
“Nah, he is decent.”
“We will have to organize another night out soon. It was fun.”
“That can be arranged. I will talk to Beau on what his shifts are.” I nodded as he pulled into my driveway. He parked behind my car but kept the engine running. I let out a small sigh, feeling a little disappointed that the night was over. It was taking everything in me not to ask him to come inside. Undoing my belt, I leant over the console to press my lips to his cheek. “Thank you for tonight.”
“My pleasure, Duchess. I’m glad you had a good night.” Before I could pull away, he moved his hand to my neck and gave me a real kiss good night. One that had me melting in his passenger seat. He pressed his forehead against mine. “I know what that sigh was and believe me, I want nothing more than to take you into that house and keep you awake all night, but you had no sleep last night and we have both been drinking. I think that is a decision we both need to make sober, because once I am back in your bed again, that’s it. There is no going back.” I pulled back to look properly at him.
“That’s what I want.”
“I know it is, baby, but I don’t want to rush this.”
“You are still worried that I am going to leave again, aren’t you?”
“No, I’m not because I already told you, if you leave, I will be coming after you this time. I made that mistake once, I won’t lose you again, which is also why I want to go slow. Ease into this. I’m not ashamed to admit, I won’t survive this if we crash and burn.” Deep down, I knew that he was right and honestly, it would be for the best. The alcohol clouding my brain wasn’t ready to admit that out loud though. I pulled back to open the truck door and slipped out of his truck. If I didn’t, then who knows what the hell is going to happen. I should have known that he would be right behind me though. He took my hand as I walked to the front door and spun me around.
“Ally, talk to me.”
