Page 9 of Grimm County Wishes (Grimm County Lawmen #4)

A l balanced two coffee cups and a plate of breakfast pastries as he returned to the room he shared with Jeannie. The bedroom.

Growing up as they had, relationships were precious.

Losing Ben had gutted them both, and the idea of anything happening to his relationship with Jeannie was terrifying.

But now that they had finally taken that step, he wasn’t afraid anymore.

Their foundation was solid. They already spent ninety percent of their time together.

They knew the best and worst about each other.

The only real difference was that now they got to have sex.

Fucking finally. Or was it finally fucking? He snorted a laugh and set the food on the counter.

Jeannie stepped out of the bathroom, her body dripping wet and the small towel doing little to hide her delicious curves. Checking his watch, he saw that they still had a little time before they needed to leave. Not enough time to do everything he wanted, but he could make it work .

“I brought the best the continental breakfast had to offer. I think I deserve a reward for my high-quality foraging.” He moved closer and noticed her eyes were red and puffy. “Woah, what the hell happened?”

“They canceled our visit.” She walked to her bag and took out the sweats he’d packed for her. Not her typical outfit, but he’d wanted to keep it modest for a prison visit. “I just want to go home.”

“Canceled?” Al sat on the bed and tried to focus on her words and not the view of her naked body sliding into her bra and panties.

“Why would they do that?” This couldn’t be good.

The visit had been scheduled online, just like they’d done every month for the last ten years.

The only time they’d had a visit canceled in the past was during a hurricane.

Tears fell down her face. “He’s been hurt.”

“Hurt?” Al sat up straight. Accidents didn’t happen in prison. If Ben was injured, it was because someone hurt him.

“There was a fight. He’ll be in the infirmary for a few days, and then he’s being moved to solitary. They said it’s for his safety, but he’s not allowed to have visitors for ninety days.”

“That doesn’t make sense.”

“I know. Ben gets beat up, and they punish him for it? ”

“I went through training with a guy that works as a guard at Central Prison. Let me see what I can find out.” Al grabbed his phone and scrolled through his contacts until he found the one he was looking for. After sending a text, he sat next to Jeannie and put his arm around her.

“Daniel will tell us exactly what happened. Until then, try not to worry.”

“Easier said than done.” She crossed her arms over her chest. The water dripped from her hair, forming a wet patch on the bed. He grabbed another towel from the bathroom and stood behind her. He placed the towel against her head and squeezed the water out.

Her body remained frozen while he added the leave-in conditioner and combed it through her hair.

When they were in elementary school, he and Ben had taken turns dealing with Jeannie’s unruly hair.

Her knots were legendary, which is why they took turns.

But the job that had once been a chore was now a privilege.

The phone rang as he was wiping his hands on the towel.

“Daniel?” He flipped the phone to speaker.

“Yeah, hey, Al. Sorry to call, but this isn’t the kind of news you want to text.”

Al’s eyes met Jeannie’s and she reached for his hand.

“I’m with Ben’s sister. Just tell us what happened. ”

“It’s not good. I’m not sure if you are aware, but Ben has affiliated himself with the Exiled Reapers MC.”

“With who?” Jeannie asked.

Al turned to her. “They’re a motorcycle club in the next county over.

They splintered off from the Grimm’s Reapers MC that we have here in town ages ago.

Apparently, when Christian’s dad was first elected sheriff, he told the original crew to either get straight or get gone.

Some stayed and got straight, and others left and formed a new club. ” Al shook his head.

“Anyway, when did he do that? I had no idea.”

“That’s not something our inmates tend to share with family during visiting hours. His former cellmate was Sinner Malone, the club’s ex-president, so it made sense for Ben to join.”

Jeannie let out a loud sob. Al wrapped an arm around her.

“How bad was he hurt?”

“Shanked in the side, but luckily, the guards found him quickly. He needed thirty stitches, but he’ll survive. The real problem is he lost his protection when Sinner got early parole. Solitary will keep him safe for now, but isolation has its own challenges.”

Jeannie wiped the tears from her face. “What about when he gets out of solitary?”

“Honestly? They’ll keep coming for him until he dies or joins a new crew.”

“Is there anything we can do to help?” Al asked.

Daniel snorted. “Other than work a miracle and get him transferred outta this place? No.”

Jeannie pressed her face into Al’s chest and began crying in earnest.

“Thanks, Daniel. Let me know if anything changes, yeah?”

“You got it, brother. Wish I had better news.”

Jeannie cried for several more minutes before finally coming up for air.

Al passed her a few tissues from the bedside table. She blew her nose and wiped her face, taking several deep breaths.

“Right, well, I guess it’s a good thing you have that show lined up. Ben needs out of that place ASAP. A lawyer could probably ask for a transfer. The sign-on bonus will be enough for that attorney’s retainer.”

“The show?” Al stared at her blankly.

“Okay, I know you can be a little spacey at times, but don’t tell me you forgot about Law of Attraction already?”

“Jeannie, I can’t do that show. Not after …” He looked back at the rumpled bed. “We’ll find another one.” Surely, sh e didn’t think he had any desire to date someone else now that they’d finally gotten together.

“And how long will that take? Ben needs to get out of there yesterday,” she huffed as she pulled on her socks and shoes.

“We’ll try harder. There’s got to be something.

How about one of those shows where I have to eat bugs or eyeballs?

” Before this moment, Al had thought he’d do anything to help Ben.

Hell, that’s how he’d ended up as a spokesperson for Divine Hemorrhoid Cream.

But give up a chance with Jeannie? No way.

“Al.” Jeannie sighed and patted his arm. “You’re such a sweetheart. That’s why America loves you. Rock hard abs and a heart of gold. And they are going to be so excited to watch you fall in love.”

“But I, I mean, we …” He stumbled to find the words. Was she seriously friend-zoning him right now? How had he gotten this so wrong?

“We got carried away. These things happen at weddings with all the romance and alcohol. It’s fine. We’re fine. We can just act like it didn’t happen.”

“Act like it didn’t happen?” he repeated. Act like the best night of his life didn’t happen?

“Yes, we had a one-night stand. Not a first for either of us, and probably not our last. Now you’re going to sign that contract and go date your ass off.

It’s probably a good thing we did this since you’ve been out of practice for a while.

It’s like I primed the pump, and now you’re ready.

” She turned and started to gather her belongings from the room.

“Primed the pump?” His heart sank, and he clenched his fists while he counted to three, fighting the urge to punch his reflection in the mirror.

What a fucking idiot. While he had always been popular with women, he was the guy they wanted to fuck, not date.

The guy they called for a good time, but not for a long time.

Hell, his own mother couldn’t be bothered to care for him.

And he thought Jeannie would want him like that?

Jeannie, the most amazing, wonderful, beautiful, loving woman?

She knew him better than any other person on the planet.

Which meant she knew he wasn’t worthy of her heart. He looked up as she opened the door.

“Sign the contract. They’ve offered to let me help with casting. I’ll be gone for a few weeks, but I think that’s for the best. To help with the casting, I mean. I can make sure they pick ladies you’ll be compatible with.”

“Yeah, well, you know what I like.” He folded his arms over his chest and nodded toward the bed. It was a low blow, but he hated how easy it was for her to dismiss him .

“Right! Glad this didn’t have to be awkward. See you later.” She walked out of the room, pulling the door behind her.

Al fell onto the bed and stared up at the ceiling. Her vanilla and citrus scent clung to the sheets, taunting him with memories of last night.

“Fuck this.” He sat up. So what if love wasn’t for him?

He’d gone this long without it and turned out just fine.

Plenty of people found happiness in money and fame, and this show could bring him both.

He’d go on that show and date those women.

He’d get the money for Ben, and in the process, make sure his show was the best damn reality dating show the world had ever seen.

Offers would fly in, and he would forget all about the time he’d stupidly given his heart away.

But first, he needed to send a text message.

“Marina, I know you’re busy banging your new husband but call me as soon as you get this message. I need you to tell me everything you know about reality dating shows.”