“Excuse me,” I say to Patrick.
He pauses.
I address the boy. “Is your foot okay?”
“I think I just twisted it when we went in.”
“Mind if I look at it?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “I don’t mind.”
Greyson and I help the boy to the ground. Patrick resumes his talk to the other kids, even though Greyson and I are a distraction.
We test the ankle carefully. “I think you might have a sprain,” I say, looking to Greyson for confirmation.
“Could be. You’ll need to get it checked.” He stands and gets the medic kit from the engine. Then he hands me the Ace bandage and I carefully wrap the boy’s ankle.
“My dad’s going to kill me,” the kid mumbles.
“Nah,” Greyson says. “He won’t be happy. But I know your dad.”
The boy nods. We help him up onto his feet and then Patrick wraps up his talk. Since everything’s under control and the sheriff is present, we head back to the station.
We’re a few blocks away from the station when Greyson says, “Good work back there, Collins,” into his headset.
Dustin asks, “Did you just compliment the rookie?”
Greyson grunts. It’s an actual grunt.
I swallow my smile.
“You never give compliments,” Dustin complains.
“I do when they’re earned,” Greyson says.
I try to remain neutral, but my whole body feels like it’s been wrapped in a blanket fresh out of the dryer. I stare out the window, watching the scenery as we make our way back to the station. A memory of my graduation from the academy comes to me. I practically floated across that stage. My bodywas half helium. I had done it—set my mind to the goal and achieved it.
And here I am, riding through town in the jump seat while Greyson compliments me with five short words that mean more than my certification.
Good work back there, Collins.
He shouldn’t affect me the way he does.
But for the rest of the ride, I let him.
Chapter 16
Hallie
There is no place for secrets in sisterhood.
~ Erin Forbes
The next evening, Avery, Mia and I are hanging out in the living room. I still haven’t told Avery about Greyson. I just got off duty this morning. She suggested a girls’ night while Mom goes out on yet another date. The woman is trying to kill me. I’m certain of it. Her divorce is fresh and she’s making her way through the middle-aged bachelors of Waterford like it’s her job.
Mom walks out from her room and asks, “How do I look?”
She does a twirl and her black skirt flares out around the bottom. She’s topped the skirt with a flowy blouse with angel sleeves. And, true to her East Tennessee roots, she’s wearing cowboy boots.
