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Mine has room for a car seat but_and I would never admit this to Warren_it’s a piece of junk. It never mattered before because I barely used it, and it was only me. Now I’m going to need a more reliable form of transportation than my bicycle.

The officer approaches, and I instantly recognize him, Sam Gardner, or officer Gardner as he prefers to be called. He’s the same age as Warren and prides himself in giving Warren as many tickets as possible and arresting him when able.

Since I know for a fact, we weren’t speeding, running a red light or stop sign, or even changing lanes without signaling, he only stopped us to pester Warren.

“Well look at who we have here. When did you get back into town? Never thought I would have to pull you over again,” Officer Gardner crows.

“And you still didn’t need to, since I wasn’t doing anything wrong,” Warren bites back flatly, a smug smile on his face.

I kind of like it when he’s being a condescending smartass. Gardner deserves it. He takes advantage of his position pulling people over just because he feels like it. He’s probably a good police officer but I’ve only ever encountered him when he’s had Warren in his sites.

“I’m sure you’ve done something, you always do,” Gardner retorts.

“No, I’m pretty sure he wasn’t doing anything wrong, Officer.” I add the title to stroke his ego.

“Raelyn. What are you doing with this felon?”

“Nothing I ever did was a felony,” Warren inserts.

Officer Gardner tongues his cheek and glares at Warren before turning his attention back to me.

“Warren was driving me to my doctor’s appointment.” I stroke my belly for emphasis.

His eyes track the motion and it has its intended effect. Clearing his throat, he looks between us.

“And you chose him to deliver you safely?”

Jeez this guy really won’t give up, will he?

I can literally feel Warren tensing in his seat next to me. Gardner has no idea what kind of an insult he just landed. I smile sweetly, forcing my face to soften so I don’t scowl at the asshat and give him the stink eye.

“I wouldn’t trust anyone more with my safety.”

He tongues his cheek again, resting his hands on his gun belt and puffing out his chest like a damn peacock. I’m not sure if he’s trying to inflate himself to try and outshine Warren or what but it’s kind of funny to watch.

I never did get an explanation from Warren about Gardner’s obsession with him. There must have been something in high school that happened between them to cause such a long-standing fixation.

“Well…” he clears his throat and turns his attention back to Warren. “You watch yourself, because I’ll be watching,closely.”

“That’s kinda creepy, Sam.” Warren calls him by his first name ignoring the whole officer title surely only to ruffle his feathers.

Officer Gardner glares at Warren but doesn’t respond to his barb, instead clapping his hand on the open window frame.

“Drive safe,” he says in farewell.

When he’s a safe distance away Warren speaks. “It’s so nice to be welcomed home so warmly.”

“Ignore him, he’s just jealous.”

That makes him smirk, the irritation fading from his expression.

“Yeah, because I have you.”

“What does that mean?”

“He had a thing for you in high school and when he approached me about asking you out, I may have adamantly and physically denied his request. I think he’s still sore about it.”

I am shocked silent as he rolls his window up and shifts back out into traffic. I had no clue he did that. Were there more times he secretly protected me? Defended me? Not that I don’t think I could have easily rejected Sam on my own. He was never my type. But I kind of like that even back then he was keeping me for himself.