His to Love (Carmel Springs Book 6)

Chapter 4

Stevie~

I was nervous; I could admit that. So far, everyone seemed really nice and accepting, but I'd been burned deep enough to still feel wary about my new fellow officers. I was still the only female on the police force because Mindy Percy didn't count for some reason. She was the daytime dispatcher for the police department, but she'd never gone to the police academy. I wasn't sure how she'd gotten the job, but she was old enough that she'd probably gotten it before actual rules about this sort of thing had been implemented. There was a rumor that she was going to retire soon, and she was definitely old enough to.

Anyways, after surviving three days on my new job, I had today and tomorrow off, but that wasn't the good news. The good news was that I'd been invited to beers and bullshit by some of the guys today, and I couldn't lie and say that I hadn't felt ecstatic when Aaron had mentioned it, inviting me to come along. While I still had a few people to still meet, the last three days had given me plenty of time to meet most of the officers in my department, and apart from Clayton Colter, everyone seemed too good to be true, actually.

Now, according to Aaron, they tried to have this get-together once a month as a way to help blow off steam. Though there wasn't any heavy-duty crime in Carmel Springs, the job was still stressful and sometimes people just needed a break from the real world, whether that be professional or personal. So, on the last Wednesday of each month, they all had a standing appointment at Lion's Bar. The bartender, Doug Wright, always sectioned off the back left corner for them, so Aaron had assured me that I'd be able to find them all as soon as I walked into the bar. Ridge and Gilbert were also going to be there, so that made me feel a little bit better. So far, out of all the officers, I spoke with Ridge the most, Gilbert second. Aaron had also mentioned that I might even be able to meet the two officers that were on vacation. Carmel Springs was so small that it wasn't unheard of to run into one of your fellow officers at any given time off the clock.

I also couldn't deny that I had taken too long to pick out a simple outfit to have a beer with my coworkers. While I hadn't cared about impressing anyone, I hadn't wanted to put my femininity on display. I knew that people had doubts about my capabilities when they looked at me because I was so short, but I was a good cop, and I'd proven that many times back in Leyland. Nevertheless, showing up in a blouse, skirt, and heels just wouldn't be the business. If I wanted to earn their trust, then I needed to show them that being a good cop was my first priority here.

Getting out of my car, I saw that the parking lot was rather packed for a Wednesday evening, but in all honesty, I had no idea what the night life was like in Carmel Springs. For all I knew, this place might be packed every single night of the week.

Looking down at my black t-shirt, dark blue jeans, and black Sketchers, I looked as normal as I could. I had even ditched my purse for a wristlet. I'd also chosen to wear my hair in a ponytail, but that had more to do with me being a cop and not with what the guys might think of me. As an officer, on duty or off, I was obligated to step in if something untoward was happening, and nothing got in the way like long hair. Sure, I could cut it, but I liked my hair. It was long, healthy, and it was so black that the reflection looked blue sometimes. However, the only time that I wore it down was at home.

Letting out a deep breath, I opened the door, and Aaron hadn't been lying when he'd said that they'd all be easy to spot. In the farthest corner of the bar, there were two tables pushed together, all the seats taken from what I could see. However, on the right of the combined tables were two high-top tables and chairs, and there were a couple of opened seats there.

"There she is," Ridge called out, and I smiled and waved like a tool.

I pointed towards the bar, letting them know that I was going to get a drink first, but as soon as I did that, Gilbert came racing over, throwing his arm around my shoulders. As soon as I tensed up underneath him, he removed his arm, concern etching his face.