I agree with him to an extent, but I also understand why she wants to go. It’s clear she thought highly of Jamal. I went to school with Jamal’s older brother, Darius, he was a good guy. I feel for the family’s loss, the unfortunate part is, it all could have been prevented.
“I want you to take her, son, but keep it brief. In and out. Got it, Taylor?”
“Got it.” I nod.
“This is gonna be a shit-storm. You know that, right?”
I sure fucking hope not. I’m still trying to wrap my head around everything that’s happened over these past few months. From all the break-ins, to the department being under investigation for excessive force. I’ve lived in Harmony Falls my whole life. Aside from the rare domestic call or traffic stop, it’s always been a quiet place to live, a peaceful place to settle down and raise a family. But now our tiny farm town, located just seventy-five miles east of Dallas, is plagued with crime.
After saying goodbye to Dixon, I get into my patrol truck and ease onto Highway 9, taking the five-mile route back to the station. A million thoughts run through my mind, one standing out more than others.
Olivia Bradshaw.
Fuck, she’s beautiful. Back in high school she was always quiet with her nose stuck in a book, but she never went unnoticed—not by anyone and most certainly not by me. Even though we went to the same school our paths never really crossed since she was two grades behind me. She never came to the football games and that’s where I lived, on the field. My entire life throughout high school was centered around football, my teammates, and bringing us home the championship.
Over the last few years I’ve seen Liv around town here and there, most recently selling her handmade jewelry at the farmer’s market. But again our paths hadn’t crossed, not until today and under the worst circumstance.
Right now I need to keep my head and focus on this case, but after things settle down I think it’s time I get to know a little more of sweet Olivia Bradshaw.
CHAPTER 3
Olivia
My heart grows heavier with each passing mile as we drive to the cemetery. Yet, I can’t deny the way it thumps wildly and it’s all because of the man next to me.
Grayson Taylor.
Of course it had to be Harmony Falls’s golden boy, also known as the sexy as sin deputy, who escorted me today. Because I didn’t make a big enough fool of myself the other day during our awkward introduction. I was shocked when I walked in to see him sitting in my living room, the boy I’ve always had a crush on from afar.
Heat invades my body when I think about how many times I’ve thought about Grayson Taylor. He was definitely the star of my teenage dreams. With messy, brown hair cut short on the sides but longer on top, deep blue eyes that hold you captive with just a glance, and a tall, lean, sculpted body that no amount of clothes could hide, it’s easy to see why he’s the epitome of every girls’s fantasy.
I’d pondered many times what I would say or do if I ever got the chance to speak to him, and it didn’t turn out the way I’d imagined at all. Though, in all fairness, it was under terrible circumstances, and it was hard to think of anything else but the pain and guilt I’ve felt since Jamal’s death. Just the thought has tears stinging my eyes all over again.
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about how different this situation would be if I had pressed harder and dug deeper to the small changes I saw in Jamal the past few weeks. I never would have guessed he could be capable of doing something like this. He had such high hopes for his future. As did I. His dream was to one day make it all the way to the Olympics. I have no doubt in my mind he would have done it and done it very well. The way he could tear up a track was something I’ve never seen before.
So what changed? Is he responsible for the other break-ins? Who was he with that night? Has he been hanging out with a new crowd?
These are all questions I can’t stop thinking about. Everyone I’ve seen him with at school are good kids like him. Kids who have always been respectful and worked hard to get good grades.
Why didn’t I dig deeper? Why didn’t I reach out to him?
I know my guilt doesn’t even come close to Pap’s. I can tell this has been killing him, even if he doesn’t admit it. It didn’t help that we woke up this morning to see murderer spray painted on our barn. The pain and anger I saw in Pap’s eyes has left a burning ache in my throat all day.
“Why blue?”
Grayson’s question snaps me out of my tortured thoughts. I swing my attention to him, heat inching up my cheeks as I take in his incredible good looks.
Lord, I’m pathetic.
“Pardon me?” I ask, confused about his question. He nods to the plant on my lap. “Oh.” I shake my head, feeling silly for not catching on. “I got him a peace lily because it represents peace and innocence after death. I asked Peggy from the flower shop to dye the flowers blue because it was his favorite color. He wore this blue hat every single day to school. He hated to part with it and carried it with him everywhere, even when he wasn’t allowed to wear it. One day I asked him why he was so attached to it and he told me it was his lucky hat, and that it helped him score all the ladies.” I giggle as I think about it, yet my heart hurts at the memory. “He didn’t need it for luck though. His personality was enough,” I add softly.
“What do you teach?” he asks.
I’m thankful for the topic change. “Literature.”
A sexy smirk tilts his lips. “Now that doesn’t surprise me one bit.”
“Oh? Why?” I ask curiously.
“Because anytime I saw you in school you usually had a book covering your face.”
He saw me? In high school? Like for real?
That thought has a million butterflies fluttering low in my tummy, but I try to push them aside and play it cool. “I’ve had a love of reading for as long as I can remember. I love getting lost in a story, to take a break from reality and live in another world. There’s no feeling like it. I’ve read so many books that it feels like I’ve lived a thousand lives,” I admit wistfully then realize what a dork I sound like. “Uh, yeah, so anyway.” I shift uncomfortably. “I’m really passionate about it, and I love sharing that passion with others, even if a lot of my students don’t share it with me,” I add with a smile.
“Why did you choose Dalsbury?” he asks, talking about the school where I teach.
I shrug. “Why not?”
“Well it’s not very close to you and…” He trails off and clears his throat. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but it’s a low-income school in a bad part of town where the risk of danger is higher. So I’m curious, out of the schools you could have chosen, why there? Why not Glendale where we went?”
I think about his question for only a second before I tell him exactly why I chose it. “My best friend Tania worked there first. When she told me they were looking for an English teacher I jumped at the chance. Not only because I would get to work with her, but also to experience something different. To give back to kids who get so little. The funding there is awful. Together, Tania and I have raised a lot of money for that school. I always donate a portion of my jewelry sales from the farmer’s market. It’s not much, but every little bit helps.” I shrug, feeling uncomfortable with how he’s looking at me all of a sudden. “We’ve also started a reading program that’s had a lot of success. You would be surprised how many children get shuffled through grade to grade and can’t even read,” I tell him with a shake of my head. “And that danger part is nonsense. I mean sure, there are some dangers, but all schools have that.” I turn to face him now, feeling myself getting fired up like I usually do when I talk about this. “I did my practicum at Glendale and you know what? Some kids there were real assholes.” I admit, not caring about my language. “Not all of them but some. I even had a student hit on me as part of a bet he had with his buddies. The arrogant little jerk. Can you believe that?”