Dutton Richford.
“I’m not a kid. I’m almost an adult, and these cuffs fucking hurt, so let’s just take them off already.”
My dad huffs.
“An adult. Anadult. I’d buy that line if you acted like it. Instead, you’ve been in so much trouble and in my goddamn station so much these past few months, I’m convinced you just want to see me.”
“How many times in a day do you think you saygoddamn?” Dutton mimics my dad, and I swear I see steam blow from my father’s ears.
“Just close your mouth so I can call your father.”
“Sure. He won't care. He’ll just donate some more money, and I’ll be home by dinner.”
My dad lets out a whisper of a swear word and jerks Dutton toward the door. Kimmy presses the buzzer for them to walk through.
I sneak in behind them.
“Damn it, Brooke. Can you just go home and wait for me there?”
“No. As soon as you're done with him, it’s my turn.”
Dad blows out a breath and shoves Dutton down onto a bench, pointing a finger in his face. “Don’t move.”
Dutton rolls his eyes and then glances at me with a smirk. His eyes trail up and down my body so slowly that I have to take a breath at how it makes my stomach flutter.
“Nice shorts,” he says. I instantly regret not putting my sweats on over my spandex. I’d been in such a hurry to get here after the game that I didn’t bother getting fully clothed.
I ignore Dutton’s comment.
“I like knowing someone annoys him as much as he annoys me.”
I cross my arms again and still don’t reply.
“Ah, the silent treatment, huh? That’s fine,” he says and leans back. It’s an awkward movement, considering his hands are cuffed behind his back. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from Sheriff Sloan’s perfect daughter. I bet you’ve never broken a rule before, have you?”
I say nothing.
“It’s tempting though, right? That rush of knowing you could get in trouble. You want it.”
More silence, but he’s not totally wrong. I do hate being such a goody-goody sometimes. My peers love to remind me of it. Doing something risky is tempting.
“Nice uniform. Did you win?”
Since it’s clear my dad will be a moment, I take the seat across from Dutton but still refuse to reply.
“I’ll just ask my sister later, since she’s on your team.”
I love how he says it as if I have no idea who she is.
Grace is so kind and caring, and she’s everything opposite of the boy in front of me.
I’d be her friend if it weren’t for?—
“Get up,” Officer Nester says and grabs Dutton under the arm to make him stand. “Your dad said to let you chill here for a while.”
“No, he didn’t.”
“Oh, but he did.”
