Page 131 of Redemption
Standing in front of him again, I hold the machine up. “When this light turns green, you need to blow on it for five seconds, and then the rating will come up here. Got it?”
“It’s not like it’s rocket science.”
I pull my hand back, making eye contact with him. “I need you to recognize that you are on a fine line here. If this comes back with even an ounce of alcohol in your system, you are going to jail. I will not protect you from the consequences of your actions. Do you understand that?”
Tanner swallows. “Yes, sir.”
“Good. Now blow on this, and let’s see where we stand.”
The next five seconds are some of the longest of my life. You would think that it’s my life on the line here. When the numbers come back as zero, I let out a sigh that doesn’t even begin to cover the relief I’m feeling.
“Turn around.”
“What? Why?”
“So I can uncuff you.”
“Seriously?” Tanner asks. “You believe me? You’ll let me go?”
Unlocking the cuffs, I say, “I believe you. Your numbers are zero. That still doesn’t explain why you smell like a brewery, though, and no, I’m not technically letting you go. I’m going to drive you home.”
“No.” I’m not ready for the fear in Tanner’s voice when he spins around, wrists now free of handcuffs and the color of his face as white as a ghost.
“Okay, Tanner. I think it’s time we talk. You have to explain to me what’s going on. I can’t help you if you don’t.”
“I can’t do that, Coach.”
“Why not?”
He rubs the back of his neck, “I—I just can’t, but if you have to take me home, can you at least take me to my dad’s?”
I try not to let my surprise show. “Is he around here?”
“Yeah.”
“And is he a safe adult for you to be around?”
“Yes, sir,” Tanner says, not looking at me. “Probably one of the safest.”
I consider what to do here, but there’s no choice. If Tanner feels safe at his dad’s, and it will be a step towards him trusting me, then that’s where I’ll take him.
“Get in. You’ll have to give me directions.”
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“So—I’ve noticed you’ve been hanging around that Bella girl after the games. Did you apologize to her?”
“Yeah.”
“Is she nice?”
“Yeah.”
I’ve been trying to have a conversation with Tanner since I decided to take him to his dad’s house. I thought if I could start with small talk, I could lead it to the big conversation we need to have, but for every question I ask him, he offers me a stilted answer.
I’m not good at this. I wish MJ were here. Maybe she could get him to open up.
My fingers thrum against the steering wheel, thinking about the mess I’ll have to deal with once I’m back. After deciding to drive Tanner to his dad’s house, I called the station and requested that some other officers patrol the streets to make sure none of the kids from the party were drinking and driving.
