“That’s awesome. Hopefully, you won’t get stuck with a dope-headed partner like I did.” She rolls her eyes.
“I hope not, but if I do, I hope I get Chewie.” Chewie was in the academy with us. We call him that because when he was tazed in class, he fell to the ground and sounded like Chewbacca.
“Tomorrow night, we are totally celebrating!” Alessandra nearly jumps in her seat with excitement.
“Celebrate how?” I question cautiously. Alessandra and I grew up differently. She is more… open with her thoughts and body language than I am. She’s fun and perky, and often forgets she’s a police officer; because of that, others look at her differently. From what she’s told me, she was wild and always in trouble growing up, whereas I would be in my room, studying for tests. Her father was a police officer and died in the line of duty when she was eighteen. Alessandra said when her father died, she wanted to join the police force, make the streets safer in his memory. Everyone knows Alessandra because of who her father was, which I think might have helped her get the job.
“Oh, my stepmom’s cousin Bunky said there was this party at a buddy’s house. He said it was going to be a lot of fun, and invited me.”
I twist my mouth and raise a brow. “Bunky?” Sounds like he’s a good source, if we’re going by his name.
Alessandra giggles. “Yeah, well, he’s not the brightest. I’m not sure if it’s his real name or a nickname for something. He’s just a harmless country boy, though.”
“I don’t know, Alessandra, I don’t really do the party thing.” I scrunch my nose up and shake my head. I try to converse with others, but I get nervous and often stick to the corner of the room, silently wishing I never left the comforts of my home. Sitting at home watching TV, hitting up the gym, that’s where I like to spend my time off work. Come to think of it, I might have been to three parties my whole life. I wasn’t really invited to them over the years. Having a family in law enforcement takes you off the invite list real quick.
“Oh, come on, don’t be such a stick in the mud. Just because you’re a sheriff, it doesn’t mean you sold your soul and can never do anything fun.” Inhaling a large breath, my mouth dangles open to object. “Who knows, maybe we’ll find some hot guys to take us home.” A loud laugh escapes my mouth unexpectedly, stopping my train of thought on plan ‘Escape Alessandra’. She always resorts to the ‘let’s find you a man’ plan. I’m single, big deal. I get a whole bed to myself, and don’t have to worry about anyone eating my popcorn or drinking my wine. I can slingshot my bra across the room and leave my toothbrush all spitty on the counter without grossing anyone out. Sounds like a perfect one-person relationship to me.
“Jillian doesn’t need a man. She has me.” I roll my eyes and look over my shoulder, finding Deputy Orlando Needon. He’s tall, with short black hair and a medium build. Most girls go gaga over him; I’ve seen it at our department alone. He wouldn’t be so bad if he didn’t think women should drop to his feet and worship him, and if the rules of our department didn’t state that no two deputies can be involved. He seems to think the rules don’t apply to us, though, ‘cause he’s always hitting on me.
“Um, last time I checked, you two can’t be involved. Not that Jillian even wants to,” Alessandra spits, rolling her eyes.
Orlando sits in a chair next to me uninvited, and his stare digs into the side of my head.
“That true, Jill?” I hate when he calls me that.
“Rules are rules.” I shrug. Truth is, he probably wouldn’t be bad, and breaking the rules would be an adrenaline rush, but I’m just not interested. There’s something about him that just rubs me wrong.
“Ah, I forget how innocent and law-abiding our newbie deputy is.” He pulls a piece of my hair from behind my ear, letting it fall against my cheek. His fingers linger along the shell of my ear. He’s talking down to me, acting as if I’m that kid in school whose parents won’t let her attend the party with the bad kids. I’m twenty-three, and I’m sick of being treated like that. Everyone is always assuming I am some goody-two-shoes. Having my stepfather as my boss doesn’t help. I inhale deeply and turn in my seat.
“Hey, Orlando,” I say sweetly, catching his attention. “Fuck off!” I bark, my face in resting bitch mode. His smirk falls into a grimace.
“Oooh!” Alessandra laughs.
“Burger, fries, and shake.” Margie places our food on the table, sounding bored. “Are you ordering?” She pins her eyes on Orlando.
“He was just leaving,” I speak for him.
“That’s how it’s going to be, huh?” Orlando’s eyebrows narrow in anger.
Ignoring him, I grab my shake, sipping the vanilla goodness.
“Whatever. I give you a week in this department,” he breathes, slapping the top of the table before getting up.
Looking up from my shake, I find Alessandra staring at me with proud eyes, a smile lifting the corner of her mouth.
“What?”