“Oh, my shit,” she said, covering her eyes, but leaving a huge space between her fingers. “Are you getting naked?”
I threw the dirty pants into the shower and scooped her up off the floor, “You think you’ll throw up again?”
“I really hope not. That shit tastes gross on the way back up.”
I opened the door and carried her into my bedroom. “Is Cameron asleep?”
“Of course. I only drank, because he was asleep. I’m not a bad kid watcher.”
“Why were you drinking?” I said, laying her on my bed. “Are your clothes dirty?”
“I filed a report. Now, I’m going to lose my job,” she cried, covering her face with her hands. “And it sucks!” she yelled, wiping at her tears and pounding her fists into the sheets. “All I ever wanted to be was a police officer. It’s all I know!”
I sat down on the edge of the bed and pushed the mess of hair off her face. “You’re not going to lose your job. I’ll help you fight.”
“I’m pretty much worthless. He was right about me, wasn’t he?”
“Don’t say that, Brooke. You’re a great cop. Everybody thinks so, and believe me, I’ve asked around. And you’re a good person. Look at what you’ve done for Cam. I was peeling spaghetti off the ceiling a few days ago and you came here like some freaking, gorgeous superhero and sprinkled some kind of Brooke glitter on him and suddenly he’s more reachable. You are freaking amazing. That asshole said you weren’t because hewantedto make you feel like shit.”
“Why are so being so nice to me?” she said, choking back a sob.
“Because I happen to like you.”
“You’re a nice guy under all that asshole,” she smiled through her tears and jabbed her finger into my chest.
I grabbed her finger and held it in my hand, “You trying to poke the asshole?”
“Shut up. Don’t make me laugh. I don’t want to puke again.” She looked around, and her eyes widened. “And I’m in your bed. I can’t be here Ryan. I have to be on the couch.”
Smiling, I gently pushed her shoulders back until she was lying down. “It’s okay, Brooke. Don’t worry. You look good in my bed.”
“Feels good too,” she mumbled, before she abruptly fell asleep.
