Damaged Hearts

Chapter 23

Nicole

I pull into Zach's driveway around 6pm, I just dropped the kids off at Brian's for the weekend, that was awkward. He didn't look at me, he flipped me off though once the kids were through the door and not looking. I did it back but he didn't even see. Fucking asshole.

I tap the front door with the knuckle of my finger before letting myself in, "Hey, it's me," I take my shoes off and set them beside Zach's. Nala comes and greets me, "Hi sweetie." I tell her with a scratch behind her ears.

"Hey," Zach's voice calls from the kitchen.

Entering, he's leaning against the counter, a beer bottle in hand, still in uniform looking hot as hell.

"Hey," I say, walking up to him, studying his face, he looks off but I kiss him anyway, "You good?" I ask.

He takes another slow sip, and sets it down on the counter beside him.

"They offered me Chief," he says.

My eyebrows point and my jaw falls slack, "What?"

"Yup." He stifles a laugh.

"You're kidding."

"Not kidding." He leaned back against the counter.

"Zach, honey, that's huge!" I say grabbing at the back of his arms but there's something he's not telling me.

"You're gonna take it...right?"

His gaze drops to the floor for a second before he they reach mine, "No." he shakes his head.

"No?"

"No," he repeated, his voice firmer this time. "Told them thanks, but I'm good where I'm at."

Stunned, I take a step back. "You, what?" I question, "You said no? To being the Chief?"

"Yeah." He didn't flinch, didn't back down, just stayed watching me like he knew I'd react like this.

"Babe," I say, trying to wrap my head around it. "You'd be amazing, you-"

He cuts in, "I'd be stuck behind a desk half the time, dealing with city council politics and smoothing over stuff I don't care about. I'd be writing reports on reports instead of actually doing the job I want to do." His jaw tightened, his eyes hardening just a bit. "I'm not trying to chase that title, Nic. I like where I'm at."

"Okay...whatever you want, I didn't know that was off the table for you."

"You really wanna be married to the chief again?"

My eyes shoot to his, "married?"

"Not married, sorry, you know what I meant." He corrects and my throat goes dry at his slip up, he continues to save the awkward silence, "I thought about it. But I'd hate it."

"Okay, yeah, I guess it's not for everyone." I glance at him, my voice softer now. "I'll support you no matter what."

He pulls me in for a tight hug, his grip strong and comforting. "You're amazing, you know that?"

"We could still celebrate," I murmur, looking up at him.

He gives me a sly grin, one eyebrow raised. "Oh? How do you suggest we do that?"

I smile wickedly, my fingers trailing down his chest. "May I show you... Officer?"

His eyes darken, and he chuckles low in his throat. "Right here?" He looks around, as if this kitchen is somehow a problem.

"Right here," I reply, already unbuckling his belt.

He looks down at me, his eyes narrowing. "You're such a bad girl."