Regina grinned. “Whatcha do? Robbery? Drugs? Prostitution?”
“Prostitution?” I exclaimed. “What kind of girl do you take me for?”
I’d like to think Chase tried to smother the laughter, but I still heard the low rumble in his chest.
The girl shrugged. “Yeah. I thought that was a little bit of a stretch, too.”
This time Chase didn't even pretend to control himself. He laughed outright. “C’mon, Regina. Let’s get going.”
“Call me Tiny,” she said.
“Regina,” he countered.
The sullen teenager rolled her eyes as she shouldered past us. “How are we gonna go shopping with you on crutches?”
I opened my mouth, but Chase cut me off. “We're gonna go nice and slow. And, if I catch you trying to palm anything, I will arrest you. Do I make myself clear?”
The girl rolled her eyes again. “Whatever, man. I only have two more weeks, then I'm free.”
“Let's make sure you keep it that way,” Chase said in a low voice.
Another heavy sigh and eye roll from Regina. I was afraid as often as she rolled her eyes, she might not be able to see where she was going and get hurt, then I’d have to share my crutch with her.
“I can tell this is going to be a blast,” Chase muttered as he led us out of the house.
Chapter 11
“So, did he arrest you or what?” Regina asked. “Is that why you're stuck with him?”
The three of us were standing in a local boutique and trying not to look out of place, but from the looks we were receiving by the employees and other shoppers, we weren't succeeding.
I cleared my throat. “No. I was actually arrested by the sheriff. Interesting fact, though, Chase's grandfather was the local sheriff until recently.”
Regina looked Chase up and down. “Figures. Let's blow this place. Ain't nothing good here.”
The girl headed for the door, and Chase and I followed behind. I didn't want to admit defeat, but I was having a hard time connecting with Regina.
Chase opened the door to the ice cream shop, and we all three ambled over to the counter to order. Regina had a scoop of chocolate, Chase a scoop of peanut butter, and I had a scoop of confetti surprise.
We sat down at an empty table, and Regina narrowed her eyes. “So you're telling me you two ain't a couple?”
“No!” we said at the same time.
“He’s a cop!” I exclaimed.
“She’s a criminal,” he countered.
Regina nodded. “Probably for the best.” She looked disdainfully at me. “You being all karma and do-goodie even though you're an offender.” She raked her eyes over Chase. “And you being the po-po…it would never work.”
I frowned. “Why not?”
Not that I was going to take love advice from a sixteen-year-old snot, but still.
Regina snorted. “Let's say you two get married and have a baby girl. She comes to you when she's sixteen and says a boy has been pressuring her to mess around. What do you say?”
“This isn't exactly proper ice cream conversation,” Chase said.
I held up my hand. “I got this one. I guess we would tell her—”
