“He told them to throw the book at me, and that’s what they did. The DA wanted to use me to prove that no one is above the law. Without any pushback from the cops, it was an easy case. I got a few years in prison and two years’ probation. Only ended up serving six months though.”
I try to stay silent while we both process these words. Still, my breath sounds audible as I try to take in what he’s saying. I never thought I’d feel conflicted about a white man getting due justice, but I wish this didn’t happen to him.
“My cop father has a convict for a son, and he will never not hate me for that.” Lines form on his forehead. He rubs at them, like that will erase that truth.
“I had no idea this is where this conversation was going to go.”
“Yeah, well, I hope having a criminal record makes me hotter,” he smirks, but his heart doesn’t seem in it.
“It shouldn’t, but it does.”
That finally gets a smile out of him. “I never raced again, but the only thing I’m good at is cars. It’s above board now, but my dad doesn’t trust me.”
“Hence the look that night.”
He nods.
“How does your mom feel about it all?”
“She didn’t talk to him the whole time I was in there, which I take on just as much as everything else. I don’t think they ever fully recovered from that.”
This time, I let myself grab his hand. The pain of your parents’ marriage being on your back is something I can relate to. He gives mine a squeeze before linking our fingers.
“I’m surprised. It’s rare a cop’s kid does time.”
“I’m happy I did. I was a prick who thought I was untouchable. If I hadn’t gotten charged, I don’t think I would have ever been able to look at myself in the mirror.”
While well-intentioned, that statement reminds me of the privilege I don’t want to invite into my life. I pull my hand back.
“Thank you for telling me all of this.”
His next smile looks like a crack in his demeanor. It’s not quite right on his normally confident face. It solidifies how deep we’ve gone in this conversation, and I’m not sure if I’ll be able to walk away after this.
“Like I said, I’d tell you anything you asked of me.” Clearing his throat, he tries to shake it all off. “But can I get to know you now?”
Finding that my food is cold, I only take a few half-hearted bites before pushing the plate away. I wash it down with my warm beer.
“What do you want to know?”
“What’s the worst thing you’ve done?”
“I’ve done nothing bad. I’m a good girl.”
His eyes close a little. This almost ravenous look takes over his face. He leans in close enough that I can see his individual eyelashes. With a lick of his lips, he lets his teeth show.
“Does that apply to the bedroom?”
I mask my own desire with an edged grin that makes my previous statement sound like a lie. Pushing my braids back, I almost expect to feel horns.
“Wouldn’t you like to know.”
“You know I would.”
“What if I granted your wish?”
His pupils dilate, growing big enough that his eyes darken. The want is laid bare in them, and it’s calling to me.
“Then I would ask for two more,” he says.
