Sullivan (Laurel Springs Emergency Response Team #5) - Laramie Briscoe
Prologue
Sullivan
“Yes!”
My sister screams the word as she tackles her boyfriend to the ground. He’s proposed in front of what has become our group of friends, and though I feel a stab of jealousy in my chest, I’m excited for them. I can’t help but clap and whistle along with everyone else.
Cutter and I talked about this a few days ago. He asked my dad, but he requested my permission too, knowing how close Rowan and I are.
I gave it to him with every single blessing I could muster. If anyone deserves to be happy, it’s Rowan. Someone taps on my shoulder, causing me to take my eyes off the ecstatic couple.
“Is it possible to be that lucky? To get someone who makes you smile and your eyes twinkle?”
Attorney Shelby Bruce has had my attention since I moved here a few months ago. We live in the same apartment complex, and she just so happens to take her morning run either when I’m leaving for or coming home from work. She may be a bit of an obsession. One I wish I had time to explore.
“According to them, it most definitely is.”
She snorts loudly, bringing her glass of what smells like Jack and Coke up to her mouth. Instead of a small sip, she chugs almost half the container, licking the residue from her lips when she pulls it back. Now that I look at her, I realize she’s had a few.
“You doing alright?”
Her smile is lopsided. “Better than I have in a long time.”
My sister chooses that moment to run at me, throwing herself into my arms, effectively cutting off the conversation Shelby and I are having. Instead of sticking around, the object of my affection strolls across the room.
“Did you know?” Her eyes are wet with tears, but this time is different from all the other times I’ve seen them fall down her face. These are joyous.
“I did, I’m so happy for you, Ro.”
She hugs me tightly. “You’re gonna get this too.” Her words are slightly muffled by my t-shirt. “I just know it.”
“I know.”
The words sound weak, but there’s nothing I will do to dampen the excitement of this moment for her.
“Hey.” Cutter gets my attention, holding his hand out.
“Congratulations, man, I’m happy for y’all.” We shake, a mutual respect flowing between the two of us.
“Thank you, I appreciate you giving me your blessing.”
“You didn’t need it.”
“But I wanted it.”
And that’s why there’s such respect between the two of us.
“It’s no big deal.”
He runs a hand through his hair, resting it on the back of his neck. “So I kinda have another favor to ask you. Shelby’s a little toasted, you think you can make sure she gets home okay?”
I’ve done my best to ignore her because I hate that I want to be around her all the time, to get to know her, but I’m unsure of how she would take it. Sighing, I look from one side of the room to the other and find her green eyes on me.
Eating. Me. Up.
Raising an eyebrow at her, I brush Cutter away and take myself over to where she stands in the corner.
“You okay, Shelby?”
“You seem to ask me that a lot, Sully.” She leans in. “What if I told you, you could make it all okay?”
“I’d say it’s probably time to take you home.”
“Is it?”
“Yeah, yeah it is.”
“Do you mind if I roll down the window?”
“It’s December, but go right ahead,” I chuckle as she fumbles with the buttons on the door. “Here.” I use the main control on my side. “How far do you want it?”
She looks back at me, smiling like a little nymph. “As far as it can go.”
Fuck. Me.
We’re quiet as I drive us to our apartment building, neither of us saying much, but there’s a string of chemistry between us. Like always, it’s vibrating with unexplored need. I’m amped up, I feel like I’m about to go into a building with unknown occupants and an undetermined amount of guns. My adrenaline is spiking hardcore for her.
Pulling into my assigned parking space, I shut my Mustang off before looking over at her. The lights from the dash cast a low glow around us. “I got you here safely.”
“So you did.” She fumbles with her seatbelt, her shoulder-length hair moving so that I can’t see her face, but there’s a touch of disappointment in her tone. “Thanks for the ride.”
“Somehow I don’t think I gave you the ride you wanted.”