21
1:50 a.m.
We're a few minutes from the station when we get a call in. Emmett groans, but radios our confirmation as he turns down the nearest street to make a u-turn.
"Just when I thought it'd be a fucking quiet night," he grumbles.
"It's just a noise complaint," I say, shrugging one shoulder. "And it's been pretty quiet for a Saturday."
A little too quiet actually. I was hoping for more action to keep my mind busy. But with all the quiet, there is too much time to talk to Emmett and potentially reveal who Bella is.
I'm pretty sure I don't want to do that yet.
We pull down the residential street, and my eyes immediately start scanning. There is one house still alight, but it's pretty quiet.
I know immediately what is going on, and my mouth goes dry.
"Pull over here," I tell Emmett, pointing to the curb up ahead. He does, and I climb out of the car the moment it stops.
"Ed?"
I ignore him, my eyes scanning the area.
"You came!"
I turn, and there is Bella, sitting under a tree on the lawn of the house with its lights on.
"Bella," I choke out, glancing anxiously over my shoulder. Emmett is standing by the car, a frown on his face. "Did you seriously call 9-1-1 for a ride again?" I ask, turning back to her. She climbs to her feet.
"Well, I didn't get your number before you flew out of my apartment this afternoon," she says, dusting herself off. I shake my head.
"I know, I was planning on stopping by tomorrow."
She grins and steps toward me.
"Bella, I…"
"Look, Edward…"
We both stop, smiling shyly at each other when we talk at the same time.
"Go ahead," I tell her. She licks her lips.
"Well, I was actually going to say we should leave sort of like right now." She glances up at the large house. "This is my dad's place."
My palms start sweating. Fuck.
"Let's go," I say, motioning to the car. She nods and climbs down the lawn. I look at Emmett as we approach the car. "I'll explain later," I tell him, pulling the back door open. He frowns, but then nods. Bella stops before getting into the car.
"I guess it's too much to ask that you sit back here with me? You know, so I can cop a feel on a cop."
I choke on my laugh, and she grins, climbing into the car. I snap the backdoor shut before I can get myself into any more trouble, then climb in the passenger's seat.
"Where are we headed?" Emmett asks, settling behind the wheel.
"Home, please," Bella says. I glance at her.
"Do you not have a car?" I ask, after giving Emmett the address. She snorts.
"Oh I do, but my father tracks the GPS so I don't use it."
I shake my head. Christ.
She leans forward in the backseat as much as she's able to. "Hi," she says to Emmett. "I'm Bella."
Emmett glances at me before looking at her in the rearview mirror.
"I shoulda guessed," he says, shaking his head. It's hard to tell what he's thinking, though I'm hoping that's amusement in his voice. "I'm Emmett."
Bella grins at him through the mirror.
"Actually, Em, take us back to the station. I'll pick up my car and take Bella home after our shift ends."
He nods, and I look back at Bella. "Is that okay?"
She smiles and leans back in the seat. "Fine by me. So long as I don't have to spend any more time with my dad."
I want to ask her what she was doing with him tonight since it's clear they don't get along, but I don't want to open that can of worms just yet.
"Hey," Bella says, sitting up again. "How about turning on some music or something."
Emmett chuckles. "I only have rock," he tells her, glancing in the mirror again.
Bella smiles. "Great, I love rock. It'll be like Karaoke Carpool back to the station."
Emmett laughs and reaches toward the radio, turning the music on. Bella immediately starts singing along to AC/DC.
"Come on, Edward," she giggles between the chorus. "Let it out."
Emmett, who is also singing along, looks at me in surprise. I let out a long breath, shaking my head.
Then I let loose.
"Cause I'm back. Yes, I'm back!"
Bella is nearly falling over giggling in the backseat but then picks up the song with me.
We drive back to the station listening to my god-awful singing and Bella's sweet giggles.