drag me down | grayson dolan

【five】

My hand reaches for the handle of Duke's car. I pull it open and duck my head inside. The low sound of the radio fills my ears as I fully close the door, turning to look at him.

"Hello partner." He smiles while eyeing my attire. I'm wearing a baby blue tank top and my usual denim shorts, nothing too crazy.

"Why are you so happy?" I shake my head as he pulls away from my apartment complex.

"We may get new information tonight." He shrugs as he grips the steering wheel.

"We don't know that for sure." I point out while leaning back in the seat.

"I never ask too many questions at the bar, but now you can."

"I don't get why you can't do this?" I lightly roll my eyes with a huff.

"It's more suspicious when guys do it." He states while glancing back at me.

"Whatever." I mutter and look around his car. A police radio sits on the dashboard along with binoculars. "What if somebody sees you? This is a big risk."

"Nobody is going to see me, love. Everyone is going to be at the bonfire getting drunk off their asses." He scoffs at my accusation. "We should have given you a microphone to wear."

"That would be too obvious, I'm wearing a tank top." I point down to my shirt.

"We have to think of something for another time." He shakes his head as Santa Monica Beach comes in perfect view. My eyes land on a huge fire in the distance, surrounded by a shit ton of people.

"Don't get too close." I instruct him.

"Relax, I'm not." He pulls alongside the grass on the opposite side of the road. After putting the car in park, he turns to look at me. "Take this." He leans over and gives me a walkie talkie.

"No way." I shake my head and give it back to him. "For one of the heads of the department, you sure are stupid."

"What's wrong with it?" He questions.

"Where the hell am I going to put a big black walkie talkie with a large antenna?" I throw my hands up in annoyance.

"Tuck it in somewhere, I don't know." He defends himself.

"Goodbye." I huff and reach for the handle

"Wait a second." He quickly says.

"What?" I groan and turn back around.

"No drinking." He points his finger up like I'm a five year old.

"One beer." I negotiate.

"No, if they get you wasted then you won't get anything done."

"It's going to look weird if a bartender doesn't drink anything." I roll my eyes and continue to stare at him. "I'm a cool local California chick who loves to surf and smoke marijuana in my car, remember?"

He stares at me with a smug smirk plastered on his face. He shakes his head while letting out a laugh. "Just go."

I smirk back and open the door. "See you later."

"I'll meet you down the road, and don't forget to mention the robberies." He calls out, but I shut the door and quickly cross the street.

I make my way onto the beach and stare at the bright flames in the distance. I inhale a few breaths as I approach the crowd of people. A few trucks are on the sand with their headlights blazing, allowing more light to come through.

My eyes scan for Grayson, spotting him grabbing a beer can out of a cooler. I smile lightly to myself as I walk up to him and tap his shoulder. He turns around and looks directly at me, smiling from ear to ear.