Chapter 8

I waved goodbye to Sean behind the front desk and walked through the front door. I felt my hands shaking as I dug through my purse, digging for my car keys. As soon as I unlocked my door, I slid inside, shut my doors, and let those tears fall for Rosie.

That call had really messed with me. I spent weeks having nightmares about that night, only in my horrors. I was watching it all happen. Seeing and couldn't do a thing to stop it.

It would have been easier. Easier on me if they hadn't shown the family pictures in the newspaper the next day. When I picked up that paper in my driveway before heading to work, I didn't think about their pictures about Rosie's picture being in that newspaper.

I had faces to names, and that haunted me. Rosie's face as she begged for my help.

I allowed myself to cry for a few more minutes. Rosie was a beautiful little girl. She had brown curly hair and her smile, god her smile. It was so huge. You could just tell she was a happy child. I never understood how a man, how a father who looked to love his family, could snap like that.

It was horrible.

A few moments later, I plucked my phone from my purse, found a song by somo, and put my car in reverse.

I had things to do.

Things I needed to check off my list of things to do today.

I wanted to leave the police department to pay for this stupid ticket last, but then I remembered I would be buying groceries. I don't know how long it will take me at the police station, and i'd rather not have my milk spoil in the Carolina heat.

Plus, the police station is just next door.

I can only hope that Office Chandler isn't on duty today.

A few minutes later, I stepped into the small-town police department. It wasn't like you saw on those TV shows. Being this was a small town, it wasn't really busting with people.

I searched around for the check-in counter and finally found it. A young woman who looked to be around my age sat behind the counter, phone in her hand, and looked to be taking a selfie.

What is up with these desk workers? First Sean and his earbuds and now this chick with her cell phone. I could be armed and dangerous and about to shoot up the place, but thanks to society today, I could open fire right now, and the alarm wouldn't sound until it was too late.

This time, I don't wait patently. I do not care if I make a terrible impression on this lady, unlike I did with Sean. I sighed softly before walking up to the desk and tapped my nails down to get her attention.

Her eyes snapped to mine, and she dropped her phone. “Can I help you?”

“Yes. I need to pay for a ticket. I would rather not wait for my court date and would rather get it paid and off my record if possible.” I breathed.

“Who was the Officer?” The lady inquired as she was quickly typing away on her computer.

“Chandler” I muttered.

I'm just saying his name left an unpleasant taste in my mouth.

“What?” She asked.

Did I not speak loud enough? Maybe I didn't. I think I mumbled it.

“Officer Chandler was his name.” I repeated.

“Oh. Cedric Chandler” She nodded, hummed softly, and kept clicking and typing away. I'm probably looking at the database to find my ticket.

“I guess. He didn't give me his first name”

“Girl. That man is delicious” She whispered.

What?

Did she just say that?

“Um. What?" I asked, not really sure if I had heard her correctly.

“Cedric Chandler. He is the like hottest man in this town. I'd kill for a date with him, but he doesn't date coworkers, sadly.” She sighed as a frown tugged on her lips.

Oh, yes.

So sad. Not.

I do not care.

This is not professional. I do not care that she thinks the asshole cop that was a jerk and gave me a ticket even though I explained to him I was new in town and didn't notice the speed limit deduction.

“Okay.” I said, not really wanting anything to do with this conversation.

“I mean, did you look at him? That man is seriously yummy, right?” She gushed. “Name?” She asked and looked up from her computer finally.

She was wearing black-framed glasses, her red hair was pulled back in a messy bun, and she was wearing a brown jacket and pants suit.

“Avery Scallan.” I informed her.

“Ahh yes, I see. The ticket is two hundred and fifty dollars. It will need to be a check. We do not take cards or cash.” She informed me with a raised eyebrow.

“No problem” I notified her. I brought my purse up and sat it on top of her desk, opened it up, and pulled my checkbook out.

We stayed in silence as I wrote the check-out. Two hundred and fifty dollars. I couldn't believe this shit. My second day in my new town and I'm giving to pay for a ticket.

“Cedric” the red-haired lady in front of me happily called out, and I swung my startled gaze towards the entrance of the police station and saw that sure enough. Officer asshole himself just walked in.

Great.

Freaking fantastic.

“Good morning Wendy” Officer Chandler's deep voice reached my ears, and I had to fight my body not to shiver at the sound. “And Miss Avery” He added and stressed the Miss Part.

It's probably because I gave him sufficient shit about it yesterday.

“Officer” I mumbled, not too happy to be around this man again.

Two days in a row.

“You can call me Cedric.” He said and smirked.

I quickly ripped the check from the checkbook and slid it across the counter to the lady that I now know. My name is Wendy.

“Is that everything?” I asked, wanting to get away from Cedric as soon as possible.

“Yes that's all. You will receive a receipt in the mail in a few days” Wendy informed me but didn't take her eyes off Officer Chandler.

“Fantastic” I grumped and shoved my wallet back inside my purse and lifted it onto my left shoulder. “Have a good day”

I spun around with the intent on leaving both a gushing Wendy and the sexy but asshole macho man Cedric behind, but that wasn't in Cedric's plan, I guess, because he quickly followed behind me.

“Miss Scallon, I'd like to have a word with you.” He informed me, and I heard his heavy footsteps following behind me. I really wanted to straight run out the police station, but my pride kept my feet moving slowly.

“I'm in a rush. Have things to do, Officer. Have a lovely day.” I grunted, opened the front door to the police station thinking I won't, but nope.

Cedric followed me out.

“We need to talk.” He said again, but I didn't listen nor did I stop. I continued to walk towards my car. It was up to him if he wanted to keep following me or not.

“There isn't anything to talk about, Office-”

“Cedric” He grunted.

“What?” I asked, a little confused why he was saying his name for a minute.

“My name. It's Cedric.”

“Okay. Officer Cedric-” I started, but he cut me off yet again, and this had my temper rising.

“Cedric. Just Cedric.”  He pushed.

“I don't think-” I started to inform him I didn't think it was proper for me to call him that being he had just given me a ticket yesterday, but the bastard once again cut me office.

“Just Cedric.” He said and grinned.

I wanted to slap that grin off his face.

“It's not appropriate-” I snarled, and this time, when I detected his mouth opening, I quickly shot my hand out to shut him up this time. “You were an asshole to me yesterday. Gave me a ticket. After I explained that I had not even caught the change of speed.”

“I'm a cop. My job is to give tickets to whoever breaks the law. I even give my twin tickets when she deserves them.” He tells me, crossing his arms over his chest, and I again can't help but notice how his muscles make the fabric of his shirt curl up.

“Your sister?” I asked, shocked. Damn, most cops would allow their family members a break.

“Yup.” He grinned.

“That's terrible. I bet your sister isn't happy with you.” I groaned and unlocked my car door, but before I could open it, Cedric stepped in front of me, forcing me to either take a step back or be plastered against his chest.

“She isn't most days, but she knows the law. You speed and you get a ticket. That's the rules.” He grunted.

“Step aside.” I advised him.

“No.”

No?

Did he just say no?

Who does he think he is?

“I'm sorry?” I whispered, still shocked that he is even standing in front of me like this and because he just told me no when I told him to move.

“No.” He repeated. That sexy smirk played on his lips once more, and I hated it. Hated that I liked it so much.

Ugh.

Shut up, Avery.

“What?” I couldn't help but whisper again.

"I'm not moving until I tell you what I wanted to tell you. If you had stopped back inside the station, then we wouldn't be doing this right now, Miss Avery.” He informed me and stressed the Miss part again.

“Who do you think you are? I don't care that you're a cop. I did nothing wrong, and I'm trying to leave. You can't just stand and block my car like this-” I started to rant off, but he chuckled, and that chuckle shut me up as I started to stare at him once more in shock.

The absolute balls this man has.

“Move”

“No”

“Move”

“Nope” He smiled.

This isn't a game. I have things to do, Dammit.

“I have things to do, Officer Cedric. So just inform me what you needed to tell me so badly that you stalked me out of the police station.” I snarled out, which made his eyes light up with something. With what I do not know, but it was something.

“Cedric” He repeated his name.

Ugh. Fucking hell.

“Fine. Fine. Cedric. Tell me what you wanted to tell me, Cedric so that I can get on with my very, very busy day!” I shouted.

Yes, shouted.

At a police officer.

Whatever, he freaking deserves it.

“You have one month to change your license plate to the state of Carolina. If after a month I don't see that license plate changed, ill have no choice but to issue another ticket. Have a good day Miss Avery” Cedric chuckled before taking a side step around me and turned me back walking towards the door to the police station.

What the fuck!

He did all that just to threaten to give me another ticket?

Ugh, I can't stand him.

I bit my tongue to stop myself from screaming at him. Awful names like bastard and asshole, and basically shoved myself inside my car and slammed my door.

I do not have time for this. I still have to run to the grocery store and stop at that flower shop I seen and buy a plant for my front porch, because my grandma told me that a front porch can't be called a front porch without a flower pot beside it. I do not have time to stand around in a parking lot and get into a yelling match with a freaking cocky ass police officer.

I don't care how yummy he looks.

Yes, that's right, I said yummy.

Dammit.