Page 88 of The Way We Win

At last she relents, looking down, but managing a smile. “Okay.”

“Let’s talk to Garrett.”

“He last checkedin two days ago.” Garrett types on his desktop computer as we sit across from him in his sheriff’s office. “He hasn’t been granted permission to leave the state, but he requested it.”

“Can he do that?” The panic in Allie’s tone has me reaching for her hand.

All thoughts of keeping our feelings a secret are gone. I’m not letting a dangerous criminal threaten her or her son, and everyone can deal with it.

Garrett doesn’t even seem to notice. “He can request it. Doesn’t mean he’s going to get it. In fact, I expect he’ll be denied. He hasn’t been out long enough, and he’s got some heavy charges on his record. Law enforcement doesn’t want to lose track of him.”

“What can we do?” My tone is sharp, and my brother stands, adjusting the holster on his waist.

When Garrett told me he wanted to be sheriff, I only thought how it would affect my plans for him to join mycoaching staff. Now that I see him at six-four in his official uniform, I feel a lot better about his decision to keep the town safe.

“I didn’t find any record that he’d bought a vehicle.”

“You don’t really need a car in New Orleans.” Allie’s voice is quiet.

“That’ll slow him down some. I’ll ask highway patrol to keep a lookout for any out of state plates headed this way, and I’ll have Sam add your street to his rounds at night.”

“Sam Allen?” I frown up at him. “I thought he was in Animal Control.”

“Hey, don’t knock Animal Control. Some of our best officers got their start there.” My brother grins, and I know he’s talking about himself. “He moved over a few months back. He got tired of getting alligators out of the road, but he’s a good officer.”

My brother’s upbeat nature goes a long way towards easing the tension in the small room.

He puts a hand on Allie’s shoulder. “I know it doesn’t seem like it, but one of the best things he could do is show up here. We’ll nail his ass, and he’ll be back in Angola.”

Allie scrubs her fingers across her forehead. “I’m sure you’re right. I just don’t know what to expect.”

“It’s tough, but I’ll talk to the guys now. Best thing you can do is try to go about your business. Don’t let him win.”

She looks up at me. “We have the game tonight. I’ll be with all the girls, then when we get back…”

“I’ll see if Dylan can keep Kimmie, and I’ll spend the night at your place.”

“What do I tell Austin?”

My lips tighten, and I think about it. “We don’t know anything for sure yet. It still could be an accidental text.”

Garrett makes a low noise, and I agree. I’m not counting on it.

“He knows to be careful,” Allie concedes. “But he’ll wonder why you’re at our house.”

“He won’t be the only one.” Garrett leans back in his chair grinning.

“I’ll be discreet.” As if I care about town gossip right now. “I can come over after hours and leave before sunrise.”

“I should give you both my alarm code just in case.” Allie quickly jots down the number.

It takes me two seconds to memorize. “I’ll talk to Austin, but we’d better head back to school.”

Lunchtime is almost over, and the specter of Rip has overshadowed our big rivalry game in my mind.

Still, we have the pep rallies and all the school spirit events to attend this afternoon. At least Allie is right about it being game day—she’ll never be out of my sight.

Sitting on the bus for the short drive to the Crystal Shores stadium, I send a quick text.

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