Chapter Six

Everett

It felt like it took forever for the police to arrive. But once the patrol care rolled up and I saw who stepped out of it, it made sense why it took so long.

Nick Butler. I never liked the guy. In high school, he'd thought everything was a joke. Judging by the giant, dopey smile on his face, that attitude hadn't changed.

"So what's all this about, Reese's Pieces?" That had to be the stupidest pet name I'd ever heard. Nick shot me a look. "What are you doing hanging out with Everett McLame?"

I rolled my eyes. "Good to see you again, Nick."

He lifted his chin at me, but didn't come in for a handshake. I crossed my arms over my chest, waiting to see how exactly we were going to do this.

Brynn smiled so widely I could see her molars. It didn't look natural. Or very happy. All that quiet sexiness that simmered around her all evening was gone. Now she laughed even though nothing was funny. She shook her head, laughing even harder as Nick walked up to us. A vague, high school memory suddenly re-surfaced. Brynn smoking on the back steps of the school with Nick Butler, Derek Granger, and Jesse Klingman. None of them dated her. They thought she was one of the guys.

Idiots.

She seemed to fall back into that role now. She subtly widened her stance to match Nick's stupid, hip-rolling douche-walk. They hugged hello, and I clenched my fist when Nick's hand lingered on her back. "I still can't believe you're a cop," Brynn teased him.

"Yeah, well I can't believe The Queen of Kegstands is a teacher, but I keep my mouth shut." Nick smiled widely; like that insulting nickname he had for her was something innocent and fun.

I must have made a sound, because he shot me another look. Then he twisted his body, effectively shutting me out of the conversation. "Anyway," he bragged to Brynn, "the guys on the force say I bust more kids for underaged drinking than anybody. That's because I know all their tricks."

Brynn laughed, a loud, sharp sound. I got the distinct impression that Nick brining up their old party days made her uncomfortable.

I cleared my throat and stepped into Nick's line of sight, forcing him to look at me instead of staring at Brynn the way a dog eyes a juicy steak. "So, the footprint is right over here," I interrupted. "We brought out all of Brynn's boots to compare. None of them match this tread pattern."

Nick looked at me like he had no idea what I was talking about

Brynn let out another strained laugh. "Oh Rett, let Nick do his job." Her gaze bounced from me to him and back to me again. I had no idea what was going on with her right now. But I didn't like it.

"Okay then." I took one step backward and gestured for him to, please, go right ahead and do his job.

"Nick and I have been friends forever. He'll take care of me." Brynn patted Nick on the back. "Won't you?"

"I'll do my best. He flipped open his notebook and scribbled something. I had a feeling he was doing it for effect. "So Brynn? What are you doing this summer?"

"Oh, not much."

"And how is your dad? You still sneaking liquor out of his bar?"

Brynn blinked. I blenched my teeth. He was making her so uncomfortable. I wished she were mine so I could tell him to get lost. "No," she said. "I don't."

Nick looked up. "Oh, come on, don't sound so freaked out, that was awesome. You were a good friend. Always supplying us with booze."

"Well, that's the only reason you guys let me hang around, right?"

"One of the reasons, yeah!" His eyes bounced down to her chest.

I wished she were mine so she'd let me take care of her.

Brynn stepped back, crossing her arms.

Her hunched protective posture was the last straw. I saw red. "Okay! Here!" I nearly shouted. I pressed my own foot next to the bootprint Nick had no interest in actually investigating. Then I took a picture of it and shoved my phone in his face, blocking his view of Brynn's chest. "For reference. I'm a size twelve."

Nick was still pretty fit from police academy. But I was a good three inches taller than him. He was forced to look up to me if he wanted to look me in the eye.

Which he didn't.

Brynn gave me an odd look, but I was too far gone. "What's you number?" I pressed him. "I'll text it to you right now, so there's no delay in the investigation."

Nick reached for his badge. "Here's my card."

"Cool. And your badge number?" I couldn't keep the implied threat out of my voice.

Nick heard it. "Do we have a problem here, McCabe?"

"No problem at all. I just want to make sure you take this as seriously as I do."

Anger flashed in his eyes, and his fingers brushed over his holster. I'd pushed him too far.

I forced myself to step back and turn to Brynn. "Hey, you know what? Your brother might know what kind of boot this is, since he works in outdoor tours."

Brynn nodded slowly. "Maybe they sell this brand at the outfitters?"

I snapped my fingers. "Smart thinking. We should look over there. See if they have any sales records." I turned back to Nick. "Don't worry. We'll do your job for you."

Nick folded his arms over his chest. "There's not much we can do with a footprint. How can you be sure it's not form a neighbor? You're overreacting."

"Yeah, we are," Brynn interjected.

But I shook my head. "What? So you'll need someone to actually hurt her before you do your job?"

"No one is going to hurt her," Nick scoffed. "Right. Because I'll make sure of it."