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Al nodded.

“Damn. Well, they say even a broken clock is right twice a day.” Hunter shrugged but didn’t look convinced. “I’ll let you know what I find out.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it. And if you don’t mind, can we keep it just between us for now?”

Hunter smiled. “Of course, brother.”

“Rookie!” a voice bellowed from the main room.

“Beast!” Al shouted back. “You gotta stop calling me that. Axe is the rookie now.”

Nick shrugged, a small smile peeking through his thick beard. “Let’s ride.”

“Sure thing, big man.” They didn’t usually go on patrol together, but on slow days, they’d pair up for community policing. Usually, they found a game of pickup basketball to join, or if they were lucky, a block party. Christian was all for it as it helped improve the relationships they had with the residents.

As Al slipped into the patrol car next to Nick, he wished, not for the first time, that Nick had been the one to drive up on Ben that day. Maybe then their lives wouldn’t have gone to shit over laundry detergent.

Chapter 19

“Tell the truth. Is Shane as handsome in person as he was onVampire Hills High School?” Marina asked as she snuggled Baby Isabella in her arms.

“Definitely.” Jeannie grinned, reaching for another onesie to fold. “I’ve been around celebrities before, but it just hits different when it’s someone you were in love with as a teenager.”

“Hits different, you say?” Rose's eyes widened as she licked her lips. “Do tell how Shane Ashton ‘hits different.’”

“Down, girl.” Jeannie chuckled at the wild gleam in her friend’s eyes. “What’s the matter? That big beast of yours not enough anymore?”

Rose rolled her eyes. “No, my man is doing just fine, thank you. But I had a six-week hiatus, so I’m still a little starved.”

“Six weeks?” Jeannie looked at Rose. “Lord, I knew babies kept you busy, but I didn’t realize it was that bad.”

Rose shook her head. “Babies do wear you out, but the six-week rule is more of a medical issue.”

Jeannie’s face paled. “Medical issue? Oh my god, are you dying?”

Rose laughed. “No, I’m not dying. But pushing a ten-pound mini human out of your vagina causes a lot of wear and tear that needs time to heal.”

Jeannie’s mouth dropped. “Are you serious? I thought your vagina was supposed to like, compensate or something? What about all that dilating and centimeters?”

“Well, it does, but at the end of the day, it’s still a big object squeezing through a small hole.”

Jeannie turned to Marina. “Did you know about this?”

“Well duh. Don’t you remember in—”

Jeannie held up a hand to cut her off. Marina spent most of her first twenty-three years learning about life through television and could relate almost anything to a movie.

“Babies have never been my goal, so I guess I never paid attention. Six weeks. Jesus. I cut my foot on a tin can in the backyard and it only took two weeks to heal.” Jeannie looked between her legs and shook her head.Don’t worry, J-Low. I’ll keep you safe from giant babies.“How did we get on this subject? Oh right, Shane. We have not hit it. I meant that flirting hits different when it’s with your celebrity crush. But we have a date planned, so yeah. Talk to me in another month.”

Rose cheered, causing Isabella to wail loudly.

“Come here, my sweet pea. I’m sorry, but Mommy will make it all better.” Rose picked up her daughter from Marina and began to breastfeed. “Such a good eater, aren’t you, baby Belle?”

Jeannie watched Rose’s face soften. Isabella would never question her mother’s love, that was for sure. With only a couple months of motherhood under her belt, Rose was already showing her daughter more love than Jeannie had ever received from her own. A pang of jealousy rose in Jeannie’s chest, but before she could investigate whether it was for mother or daughter, something else caught her eye.

“Rose, your shirt is wet. Did you spill your drink?” The side opposite the one where Rose held Isabella was completely drenched.

“Oh, that’s my milk.” Rose grabbed a burp cloth and stuck it under her shirt.