Chapter 1
I thought I’d never see my ex Blake Morrison again…
Until I got dragged into the police station as a homewrecker, and Blake was the cop on duty.
When he walked in, some crazy woman was literally pulling my hair and slamming me against the wall. My face was already red from where she’d slapped me
That’s enough! This is a police station, not Jerry Springer!”
That voice. I knew that voice.
looked up to see Blake in his uniform, and for a second. I couldn’t believe this was the same guy who stood in the rain begging me not to leave him five years
igo.
lso the absolute last person I wanted to see.
is they dragged the woman out, she screamed: “Officer Morrison! This limle skank threw herself at my fifty year old husband-who knows how many dicks
he’s sucked!”
She’s a fucking prostitute! Arrest this bitch for being a public menacer
ler words hung in the air while Blake and I just stared at each other.
alk about awkward.
‘niverse, if you’re listening?
his isn’t funny. Not even a little bit!!
iverside Police Department, Interrogation Room
You little bitch! Stay away from my husband, you slut! I’m gonna mess up that
When Blake walked in, this crazy woman was yandang my hair, trying to slam me as the wall
alf my face was already red from her slaps
That’s enough! This is a police station, not Jerry Springer?
hat voice. I knew that voice.
looked up. There was Blake in his uniform, still radiating that same authority that could shut down any room.
or a moment, I couldn’t believe my eyes. This cold, stern faced cop was the same guy who begged me not to break up with him five years ago on that rainy Light.
Uso the last person I ever wanted to see again.
A female officer led the crazy woman next door to take her statement.
Right before leaving, she turned and screamed at Blake.
“Officer Morrison! This little skank threw herself at my fifty-year-old husband-who knows how many dicks she’s sucked
Her eyes were full of pure hatred.
“She’s a fucking prostitute! Arrest this bitch for being a public menace!”
Her vicious words echoed down the hallway.
Now I was put me and Blake in this tiny room having the world’s most awkward staring contest.
Tab about wanting the floor to sw
ww me while
I clenched my fists, my throat tight. I couldn’t help but try to explain.
“Look, this whole thing is a total misunderstanding. I’m not some homewrecker-her gross husband was harassing me, and he even-”
Blake’s cold stare didn’t waver as he cut me off.
“Miss Parker, stick to what’s relevant to the case.”
“Mrs. Patterson assaulted you. Do you want to settle this or press charges?”
My breath caught.
I’d known Blake for ten years, dated him for three.
The only other time he’d been this cold and formal with me was the day I broke up with him.
That night in the pouring rain, he stood outside my place soaking wet for hours, refusing to leave.
“Stella Parker, if you’re breaking up with me, at least tell me why.”
What did I say back then?
‘Blake, how are we supposed to work when you’re broke and I’m… not?”
One sentence. That’s all it took to make his eyes well up. He was speechless.
Back then I was still daddy’s little princess, and he was just some smart guy with empty pockets.
Now those blue eyes that used to look at me like I was everything were totally blank.
Blake tapped the table twice, bringing me back to earth.
Last time-settle or press charges?”
opened my mouth to answer when my nose started tingling.
Blood suddenly dripped onto the statement I’d just filled out.
frantically covered my nose with my hand. “Oh crap, sorry…”
Here.” Blake handed me tissues like it was no big deal.
grabbed them but the blood soaked right through.
When it wouldn’t stop, I got up. “Sorry, bathroom break.”
n the bathroom, I watched the sink turn red and flipped on the faucet.
Splashed cold water on my face and dry-swallowed some pills from my bag.
My reflection looked like a ghost.
Great. The new meds weren’t working anymore either.
I took a deep breath, got my shit together, and headed back out.
Blake was leaning against the wall outside, all six-foot-three of him scrolling through his phone.
The dark blue uniform made him look even more intimidating.
My eyes went to his sleeve. I knew there was a scar underneath.
Five years ago when I left for London, Blake crashed trying to chase me to the airport. Messed up his arm bad.
That scar killed his dreams of joining the force in a bigger city. Instead of becoming a detective somewhere decent, he got stuck at this local precinct.
“So what’s it gonna be? Press charges or settle? If you’re pressing charges, I need to—”
“Not pressing charges.” I tried to sound chill. “She’s my boss. Just a misunderstanding…”
Blake’s phone buzzed. He answered and called to his partner.
“Hey Hansen, wrap this one up for me? I gotta bounce.”
“Off to pick up the wife?”
Blake didn’t deny it and started walking away.
My stomach dropped. My shaky voice ask, “Blake… you’re married?”
