Ransom giggles as he looks at me. “Your man is in a slow speed chase.”
“Slow speed chase?” I ask, not sure what he’s saying. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard of a slow speed chase.
“Mr. Honeycutt is refusing to pull over. Apparently Sully has it out for him because he got in the way of a call. He ran Honeycutt’s license and it hasn’t been renewed since seventy-fuckin’-nine.”
I can’t help but giggle. “So he’s got a vendetta against a ninety-five year old man?”
“How fast are you going?” dispatch asks.
“Twenty-five.” I can hear Sullivan say over the radio, sirens blaring.
“Tell him to let it go.” I roll my eyes.
Caleb, who is on shift, keys his radio. “Your girlfriend says let it go, Baker.”
“He’s breaking the law,” he argues.
“Give me the radio.” I move my fingers in a gimme motion. “How does this thing work?”
Caleb shows me how to get on, and I shake my head before speaking. “I swear to God, Sully. You arrest him, I’ll have him out in ten minutes. Let him go. He’s lived his life.”
“Why are you on the radio?”
“Because this is stupid,” I laugh.
“I’ll show you stupid.”
We hear sirens as they come to a stop outside The Café. Turning around, I watch as Sully turns his car off, and gets out, holding a bouquet of flowers in his hands.
A smirk plays against the edges of my lips as I watch him stroll in, oblivious to all the eyes looking him up and down. “Is that what’s stupid?” I raise an eyebrow at the flowers.
“No.” He shakes his head. “I’m the one who’s stupid. Just wanted to let you know I’ve got a good thing, and I’m gonna keep it.”
Tears fill my eyes before glancing over at my parents. “As you can see, I’m well taken care of here.”
Dad stands up to shake Sullivan’s hand, before turning to face me. “That’s all we ever wanted for you, Shelby, and. I think we both agree,” - he looks back at Mom - “this is your home now.”
I nod, launching myself at Sullivan. Best news I’ve heard all day.
Chapter 37
Sullivan
“I love that shirt almost as much as I love you.” I wrap my arms tightly around Shelby’s waist. Since she came home from the hospital, I’ve had her within my reach.
She wrinkles her nose up cutely at me. “I have no idea why.”
“Oh you know.” I turn her around in my arms.
The front of it says Laurel Springs SWAT Team and on the back it says Baker. One day I’ll make her last name the same as mine. We’re in no hurry. For the first time in my life, I’m not in a hurry.
To prove to my family how much better I am than my brother.
To do what everyone thinks I should be doing.
Finally, I’m becoming my own man.
“You gonna be there at the end?”
“Oh yeah, hooting and hollering for the hottest guy on the course.”
I smile, shaking my head. “You’re good for my ego.”
She reaches up, running her fingers through my hair. “You’re good for me period.”
“So if we win, does that mean I get to do whatever I want to you?” I rub my nose against her neck.
“I believe you said something about cooking with nothing but an apron on.”
“I did.” I clasp my arms around her.
Since we moved in together a month ago, we’ve had a lot of fun interludes. She winks. “Then you better get busy and win.”
I kiss her quickly. “Wish me luck.”
“Good luck, Sully.”
“Let’s go!” Ransom yells, whistling to get everyone’s attention. “It’s time for us to sign in.”
Shelby smacks my ass. “Go get me a W.”
“Will do, babe.”
Shelby
“Look at him.” I grab hold of Stella’s shirt. “Walking with that gun like he owns the place.”
“There’s something about the swagger of these guys. All long-legged, full of cockiness, and so fuckin’ hot.”
Kels joins us. “Yes, yes they do. We’re some lucky bitches. To have those men in our beds at night.”
“And our kitchens during the day.” I wink.
“Look at you,” Stella laughs. “Just wait until you have kids, there will be no more fucking on the kitchen table.”
“Wasn’t exactly the kitchen table, more like the chair.”
They giggle as we watch the guys do the individual events, along with the team ones.
“They just pulled into the lead.” Rina whistles, clapping loudly. “My husband may not be on that team, but my son is,” she explains to anyone who looks around.
Glancing up at the leaderboard I see they’re in the number one spot. Calvert City in second and Paradise Lost in third.
“Let’s go, Laurel!” We clap as we come up to the last event. It’s a foot race, but set up like a relay. Each man wearing all their gear.
“Let’s go, Laurel!”
Clap, clap, clap-clap-clap.
“Let’s go, Laurel!”
“Fuck,” Rowan groans from where she stands next to me. “Sully’s going against our brother.”
I have yet to meet Braylon, but I will tonight at the family dinner that’s been planned. Looking further down the track they’ve set up, I see the two of them standing next to each other. I’d know Sullivan anywhere, but the man standing beside him would look familiar in a crowd.
They look to be close to the same height, but Sullivan is taller, and a bit more muscular. That hair of his hanging in his eyes is the sexiest thing I’ve seen. Especially since I know it’s wet with the sweat of hard work.
Paradise Lost is slightly ahead as Braylon is passed on the baton, taking off quickly.
“C’mon, Laurel Springs!” I scream, stamping my feet on the bleachers we’re sitting in.
After what feels like a year, Sully grabs hold of the baton and my man takes off like a shot. His long legs eat up the distance between him and his brother.
“C’mon baby!” I yell. “You got this!”
He’s close to his brother, so close I can’t tell the difference between the two of them anymore. He’s breathing down his neck. Rowan sits next to me, her fingers clasped tightly over her mouth. I can tell she doesn’t want to cheer for either of them. She’s in a bad spot.
“It’s okay, I’ll cheer loud enough for the both of us.”
She grins, and we start jumping up and down, as they get closer to us.
“C’mon, Sully!”
When they get right in front of us, I pick the perfect moment. “If you want that apron, you better run!”
He hears me, and he kicks it into high gear, crossing the finish line right before his brother. The crowd erupts in hoots, howls, and screams. We’re all down the bleachers within a few seconds.
I take off at a run, throwing myself into Sullivan’s arms, wrapping my legs around his waist. His strong grip holds me tightly.