High Risk by G.K. Parks (books for 10th graders TXT) 📕

“I didn’t want to wake you, but you left your phone in the living room. And it’s been buzzing for the last twenty minutes.”

Rolling onto my side, I caught sight of the clock. “Shit.”

“What’s wrong?” Logan held out the device, and I dragged myself off his bed and grabbed it from his hand.

The alarm notification pinged on the main screen. I was supposed to be across town in thirty minutes. This was a nightmare. I wouldn’t get there in time if I went home to change. And I needed to change. “I’m late.”

“For work?”

“Not exactly.”

“Okay.” He gave me an odd look. “Do you want to share with the class, Detective?”

I grabbed my gun and badge off his nightstand, clipping them onto my belt. “This was such a bad idea. Why did you let me stay? What’s wrong with you? Professional boundaries, remember?”

“Oh, sure. Blame me. You’re the one who came down with a killer migraine last night. Most women use that as an excuse not to crawl into my bed.”

“I don’t follow convention. And the champagne you opened only made it worse.”

“Then let me make it up to you.” He jerked his chin at my phone. “What’s so important it can’t wait until after breakfast?”

I blinked again, feeling a buzzing headache behind my eyes. “You made breakfast?”

“Made might be too strong of a word. I’d say I’m offering you breakfast. But I did make coffee. Does that impress you?”

“Did it come from a pod or k-cup?”

Logan looked at the floor. “Maybe.”

“Not impressed.”

“Are you always this difficult?”

“Ask Brad.” I looked around the unfamiliar room. “Mind if I use your bathroom?”

“Not at all.” He pointed to a closed door. “I put out fresh towels. And if you look in the middle drawer, you should find some travel items I took from a hotel.”

“Stealing’s a crime. Didn’t they teach you anything in law school?” I went into the bathroom and shut the door.

By the time I came out, Logan was seated on the couch, typing up the details we’d gone over last night concerning a pending trial. “Are you sure you don’t want breakfast? At least take a cup of coffee for the road.”

“No, thanks.” My partner would spot an unfamiliar coffee cup a mile away. And the last thing I wanted to tell him was I spent the night in Logan Winters’ apartment after I gave him such a hard time yesterday. I glanced at the screen. “Are we done with the trial prep? Or is there something else we need to go over?”

“No, I think we’re good.” He clicked another tab. “But I will need to review Fennel’s statement with him before Thursday.” Logan looked up at me. “So when you see your partner, tell him don’t forget.”

“On one condition.” I grabbed my purse and jacket from one of the stools and headed for the door. “You don’t mention this to him.”

“Mention what?”

“Good.” I turned back around to make sure I had everything.

“Forget something?” Logan held out my notebook.

“Right. Thanks.” I tried to take it from him, but he didn’t let go.

“Did you forget something else?” His blue eyes sparkled. He was enjoying this.

“Like what?”

“C’mon, Liv, you’re really going to make me beg? Don’t I at least get a good night kiss?”

That stopped me dead in my tracks. “What?”

“That’s how dates usually conclude.”

“This wasn’t a date.”

He rubbed the stubble on his cheek. “May I present to you exhibit A.” He pointed to the kitchen sink filled with dirty dishes. “Dinner.” Then he tapped his pen against the side of an empty champagne bottle. “Exhibit B, drinks.” He grinned, looking back into his bedroom. “And exhibit C, you spent the night in my bed. That’s how my better dates end.”

“That’s sad.” I patted him sympathetically on the shoulder and eyed the blanket on the couch. “If you date a lot, you should probably invest in a pull-out. After all, I spent the night alone in your bed. And you were out here. That’s how it usually goes, huh?”

He laughed. “Don’t focus so much on the details.”

“Sorry, hazard of the job.” I opened the door. “I’ll see you around, counselor.”

“Not if I see you first.”

Logan liked to flirt and tease. It was harmless. He was harmless, but I didn’t want word getting out or rumors spreading. The last thing I needed were other people in the department thinking I was having a fling with an ADA. It was bad enough most cops questioned my abilities since my father had been a legend at the precinct, and they figured that meant I hadn’t earned my position. So being a DeMarco was already one strike against me. Being a woman was strike two. And any type of relationship with a coworker would be strike three. I couldn’t risk that, so why didn’t I call a cab and go home last night? Oh right, I thought my head would explode. Plus, I was too tired and inebriated to think clearly. That was why.

Grumbling to myself, I walked out of the building and cursed the bright sunlight. On top of it, I was hungover. “Stop it, Liv. There’s nothing you can do about it now.” I unlocked my car. The digital clock on the dash reminded me I was already behind schedule, so I sent a text to Emma, drove home, brushed my teeth, washed my face, changed clothes, and tied back my hair. I didn’t have time to shower, but it didn’t matter. I was going to spend the next few hours at the softball field. However, since the game might last until it was time to start my shift, I grabbed my gear, just in case.

When I arrived, I was surprised to find most of the parking spots