Page 25 of Grimm County Wishes (Grimm County Lawmen #4)

“ T hat was an interesting choice,” Lindsey said to Jeannie as Al walked off the stage. “Any idea what that was about? I don’t think we’ll be able to air it; it’s not quite fitting with our aesthetic.”

“Yeah, you’re right about that,” Jeannie said. Morgan Wallen’s “Thinkin’ Bout Me” would definitely raise some eyebrows. The song was about a guy taunting his ex for thinking about him while she’s dating someone new.

The sound of cheers and clinking glass interrupted their conversation.

“When you need a spotter for your squats, are you thinkin’ bout me?” Paige asked and the women cheered and clanked their glasses.

“When you’re locked up and need someone to get you out, are you thinkin’ bout me?” Jazz shouted, followed by another round of cheers .

“When you have to carry all her shit, are you thinkin’ bout me?” Mercedes squeezed her breasts together, laughing into Diane’s camera.

Jeannie turned to Lindsey. “Maybe leave it in. I guess he was singing on behalf of the women and their exes.” Her shoulders dropped while her heart sank.

For a second, she thought maybe that song was directed at her.

That maybe Al was taunting her, reading her thoughts because she was thinking about him while she flirted with Shane.

Marina sang a slow song that Al and Paige danced to as part of Paige’s reward for winning the day’s challenge. After that, the women enjoyed karaoke while Al had one-on-one time with each contestant.

Jeannie was dying to know what they were saying on the patio. No one would question her if she went outside to listen. Part of her job was to keep up with the contestants and storyline. Before she could decide what to do, her phone vibrated in her pocket.

Nick: Checking on the rookie. Rough day at the station yesterday.

She sucked in a breath as she read Nick’s text. Al had been acting off all night. No matter what else was going on with them, he was her best friend and always would be. She quickly typed out a reply and walked outside to the one-on-one set .

“And then I followed the mama dog through the woods and found a whole litter of puppies, trapped in a hole left from a rotted-out stump. I carried all six of them back to my house. I have a picture. Want to see?” Charlene’s wide eyes stared up at Al, which might have been sweet if he’d been looking back at her instead of staring off in the opposite direction.

“Oh, sorry, um …” He jolted upright, looking around at the crew. Jeannie stifled a laugh. The poor guy had no clue what he’d been asked. Shane winked and tapped his watch. Al visibly relaxed. “I’m sorry, Charlene, but our time has run out. I hope you enjoy your night.”

She hesitated a few seconds, as if waiting for something more. A goodbye kiss? Jeannie snorted. Not on my watch.

“Al! I have a few things to run over with you before your next song.” Jeannie walked over to the outdoor couch and stared at Charlene until she finally took the hint and left.

Jeannie flopped into the open seat as the crew moved out of the area. “How’s it going?” she asked.

“Fine,” Al answered. He was looking at his feet, with his legs spread in a wide V and his elbows resting on his knees.

“You sure about that?” she asked, knocking him in the shoulder. “That karaoke solo was a bit … ragey.”

He chuckled under his breath. “You caught that, huh?”

“Uh, yeah. I think everyone did. What’s going on? ”

He sighed and leaned back against the couch, shifting his focus to the stars instead of his feet. “It’s nothing.”

Jeannie nibbled her lip. Al wasn’t usually one to keep things from her, so whatever happened must have been bad. “Did you talk to Ben?”

“No, but the lawyer emailed and said the transfer was approved, so at least something is going right.”

“Well, if it’s not Ben that’s got you in such a funk, what is it?” She paused, waiting for him to speak. After a few minutes of silence, she pushed her leg against his. “Come on, Al. It’s me.”

He sat up and turned toward her, eyes blazing with heat as he stared directly into hers. “Oh, Jeannie-girl, I know exactly who is sitting next to me right now.”

Jeannie sucked in a breath as her brain temporarily short-circuited. He lifted a hand to stroke her cheek, the intimacy sending a bolt of lightning straight to her core.

“Nick texted,” she suddenly remembered, breaking the spell.

Al jerked his hand away, his eyes narrowing. “And what did Beast say?”

“He wanted to check on you.” She reached over and grabbed his hand. “What happened? Why are you acting this way? ”

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. “I had a call at Weeping Willow yesterday. For solicitation.”

Jeannie’s heart lurched. “And how is the old bitch?” she spit out.

“About the same. Minus a few teeth.”

Her eyes widened. “And her, uh, personality?”

Al’s laugh lacked humor. “Exactly the same.”

“I’m so sorry you still have to deal with her.” She lifted his arm over her shoulder and snuggled into his side, wrapping her arms around his torso. “You know she’s full of shit, right? Well, full of crack or meth or whatever she’s on these days. Nothing she said to you was true.”

“You don’t even know what she said.”

“Oh, I bet I can guess. And I bet I can also kick out the rest of her teeth so she can’t say anything else.”

Al laughed and squeezed her tight, kissing the top of her head. “You’d do that for me?”

“Of course I would.” She leaned back so that she could look into his eyes. “I can’t think of a person’s ass that I wouldn’t kick for you.”

“And that’s why you’re my best friend.” Al smiled, leaning down to touch his forehead to hers. “My very best friend. That is what we are, right, Jeannie-girl? Friends?” His voice had gone from teasing to growling, lighting a fire right in her belly .

“Uh huh,” she whispered, unable to say anything else as she raised her lips to his.

“Ahem!” Diane cleared her throat as she walked up to the couch. “Al, they need you inside. They want to film a confessional about your thoughts on the one-on-ones.”

***

“This has been so much fun.” Marina stood next to Jeannie, placing an arm around her waist. “Thanks for hooking me up.”

Jeannie smiled. “I figured you’d enjoy being part of a dating show.”

“It’s been the greatest! I can’t wait to watch once it comes out.”

“And your solo was beautiful, as always. I’m sure we’ll get a ton of offers once the episode airs.” Jeannie glanced at Marina, trying to gauge her interest.

“Yeah, I guess that might be cool,” Marina said with a shrug.

Interesting …

“Speaking of offers, when I was in New York—”

Marina raised her hand and shook her head. “Nope! Stop right there!” She laughed. “I am still a newlywed and want to wake up next to my husband every day. But give me a few more months and I’m sure I’ll be ready for a break.”

Jeannie grinned. Marina might be ready for a break, but Christian? Never. The sheriff was beyond smitten.

“Marina!” Lindsey walked in from outside. “Al’s finished his confessional, and it’s time for you two to sing your duet. Something somber, if you don’t mind. We need the girls looking all forlorn and shit, because after this, we’re headed back to the Holding Cell for the arraignment.”

Marina shot a questioning look to Jeannie.

Jeannie smirked. “AKA the beach house and the ‘rose’ ceremony.”

“Ahh,” Marina said, eyes twinkling. “Clever!”

“I know, right?” Lindsey said. “Let me go grab Al.”

Marina turned to Jeannie and gave her a hug. “Love you, friend. Remember that.” Marina walked over to DJ Sharkman to get ready.

That wasn’t suspicious at all. What the hell kind of song had she chosen.

Jeannie racked her brain for popular duets.

“The Girl is Mine?” “It Wasn’t Me?” Maybe “Put it in Your Mouth” by Akinyele?

That would be hilarious, but Marina would never have chosen that song.

Christian would have to kill Al, and that would mess up his job as sheriff.

“Oops, I’m so sorry!”

Jeannie sucked in a breath as a splash of cold liquid coated her back. She turned to find Iona smirking with an empty beer mug. “I didn’t see you standing there,” she sneered, walking off to join the women and leaving Jeannie to drip.

She rolled her eyes and stalked to the storage room, knowing Susie kept extra uniform shirts back there for just such an occasion. She quickly changed her shirt, not wanting to miss the duet. As she stepped into the hall, she heard whispers from the shadows.

Narrowing her eyes, she walked toward the voice only to see Jazz, hunched over by the back door, talking on a cell phone that Jeannie knew for a fact contestants weren’t allowed to have. She debated saying something when she heard DJ Sharkman calling Marina and Al to the stage.

Jazz forgotten, Jeannie hurried back to the front room as the beginning notes played.

Recognizing the song, Jeannie looked up and whispered a silent prayer.

That was the only way she’d be able to make it through “If the World Was Ending” without breaking down.

Damn Marina for choosing that song. And damn that Diane too.

She’d sneaked in next to Jeannie with her camera so that when Al sang his verses, it felt like he was looking straight at her.

Nodding her head, she looked back at him. Yes, Al. If the world was ending, I’d come over.