Page 67 of To Bring You Back
She followed him into the kitchen, toward the back door since only the preparations for the new front porch had been completed today. “You’re letting me off the hook.”
“Not for long.” He wrapped her in his arms and felt her exhale. “I’d like to see what it looks like for you to live with the living.”
“Me too.” Her touch on his waist was tentative, but she peered at him with such focus, she had to be thinking exactly what he was. One kiss wouldn’t be wrong.
But this was so new, the hug itself a big step. He’d done so much damage last time. This time needed to be different. So instead of finding her lips, he let her go.
18
The flashing reds and blues contradicted the calm of nighttime in Lakeshore and the happy buzz of Gannon’s evening with Adeline. He had planned to get back to Havenridge and work on the recordings for her tonight, but because of the strobing lights, he leaned to see down the road that jutted off Main Street.
Was that a red sports car beside the police vehicle?
“Can you slow down?”
The driver wordlessly complied.
Glowing signs hung from a couple of the buildings. One featured a woman in a corset and stockings holding a bottle, the other a bundle of dynamite and a beer logo. Whatever nightlife Lakeshore had must happen here. The squad car had double-parked near a car with a low, cherry-red tailgate. A small crowd gawked from the sidewalk, a few holding phones up to capture the commotion.
A man Gannon hadn’t spotted at first straightened. Had he been on the ground?
Gannon’s stomach registered the truth an instant before his mind did. “Pull up. That’s Matt.”
The bassist’s leaning posture and exaggerated gestures signaled he was drunk. Or high. As soon as Gannon climbed out of the car, Matt’s raised voice met him. Something about leaving him in peace.
The officer stayed in Matt’s space. “When we get a call about a man lying in the street, we can’t leave him in peace.”
Gannon jogged the last couple of steps, joining Matt and the officer between the cruiser and the sports car. “Matt, your ride’s here.” Gannon motioned to the waiting sedan with one hand and grabbed Matt’s arm with the other.
The officer rested his hands on his belt. “And you are?”
The man had to know. Everybody knew, including the crowd of onlookers. Yet neglecting to answer would be a sign of disrespect that would play out badly. “Gannon Vaughn. I can get him home right away.”
Unless Matt had done something Gannon didn’t know about and the officer wouldn’t let him go. He resisted a glance at the raised cell phones. This would look great all over the Internet tomorrow.
Matt jerked free. “I’ll take care of myself.”
The officer shined his flashlight at the ground, illuminating a set of keys. “He’s under the impression he’s driving home.”
At least that was the worst the officer had to say about him.
“That won’t happen.” Gannon hooked Matt’s arm again. “Sorry for any trouble, Officer.”
“I don’t know what you gentlemen are used to in LA, but everyone, including our teenagers, is watching and deciding how to act based on the precedent you set. We won’t give you special privileges here.”
Uh-oh. Was this guy the father of one of the kids they’d met? His name tag read Officer Cullen. He’d have to ask Adeline about him later. “I understand. Again, I’m sorry. Matt’s going to be using a designated driver from now on.” He squeezed Matt’s arm, but the guy didn’t apologize. Maybe it’d be best to get him out of there before he opened his mouth, anyway.
Gannon pulled him toward the idling sedan, but the officer’s voice followed them. “This car will be ticketed if it’s left overnight.”
“You can’t tow my car.” Matt lurched to circle back, but Gannon held tight and delivered him to the rear seat of the sedan.
“Get him home.” Gannon slammed the door, the locks snapped, and the car pulled away, threading around the cruiser at a crawl, then disappearing around the first corner.
Gannon made his way back to where the officer stood near the car and scooped up the keys. “Thank you. If these had gotten into the wrong hands—”
“I’m more concerned about what would’ve happened if he’d gotten in the vehicle.”
“You’re right, sir. This won’t happen again.”
