This is Reckless (Checkmate Duet 3)

How doesn’t he remember?

I grab a cup from the cupboard and pour myself a glass, trying to remain calm and act normal. “You did,” I say. “I owe you half actually.”

I take a drink and nearly spew it out when he stands right next to me and pats me on the shoulder. “I’ll add it to your tab.”

I manage to swallow it down and flash him a smile. “Sounds good.”

He grabs two plates from the cupboard and sets them down next to the stove. He splits the eggs evenly on each plate, and I don’t have the courage to tell him I’m not hungry, but I also can’t sit across from him and pretend I’m fine.

Because I’m not.

Absolutely, positively am not fine that Drew Fisher has no memory of sleeping with me last night.

DREW

Once I finish eating and clean up the kitchen, I head to the shower. Last night was rough, but I’ve had worse. College life with Travis gave me many unwanted experiences, and I don’t party like that anymore. My baby sister’s wedding was just an exception.

My shift starts at three and goes for twelve hours. Four days on this week and then three days off. It’s not the best schedule, but I’ve become accustomed to it. Those twelve hours usually go by pretty fast, and by the last day I’m ready to sleep for a week, but guys like Logan help the time pass.

Dressed and ready to head out, I knock on Courtney’s door before leaving. She’s used to my long shifts, but I still like to let her know before I go.

“Come in,” she shouts, and when I push the door open, she’s sitting on her bed with her laptop. I can tell she drank a lot last night too by how flushed her face looks. She threw her hair in a messy bun on top of her head, and she’s in her casual comfy clothes. There are three bottles of water on her nightstand and I can definitely tell she’s nursing a hangover.

“Just letting you know I’m off to work. I won’t get in till after three in the morning, so if you hear noises, it’s only me.” I grin, remembering the time she nearly stabbed me with a pencil when I walked down the hallway, and she heard footsteps that ‘sounded like a murderer’s.

“Okay, well have a good shift,” she says with a small smile. She’s not as giddy as usual, but that’s to be expected after last night. I imagine she’ll be sleeping it off the rest of the day.

I nod and take a step back, but before I can shut the door, she speaks up again. “Drew.” I push the door open. I arch my brows and wait. “Stay safe.”

“Always do.” I wink and shut the door behind me.

After only the first few hours of my shift, I pull a car over, and the driver reeks of alcohol. I radio in for backup since Logan is off today, and wait for another officer before giving the driver a sobriety test.

He fails miserably, and the other officer and I take him in. Paperwork and a meeting with my supervisor fill the time until midnight, and then I’m left patrolling my area until my shift’s up.

Walking into the house after 3 AM, I’m always worried I’ll wake Courtney up, but I also think she might be used to it. Or she sleeps like a rock.

It usually takes me an hour or so to unwind before I can fall asleep, so I turn the TV on in my room and start flipping through channels. A commercial ad for an upcoming Halloween movie has me thinking of the first time Courtney and I watched a scary movie together and how it led to our yearly tradition.

“Is there a reason every light in the house is on?” I asked, walking into the living room. She’s settled on the couch with a bowl of popcorn.

“Not every light is on,” she argued. “I’m watching The Conjuring.”

“Ahh…” I said, sitting on the couch next to her. “So, you’re afraid.”

“I am not! I just don’t want to watch it with the lights off.”

“Because that makes it less scary?” I teased, grabbing a handful of popcorn.

“Well, it makes it less likely I’ll pee myself. So, either be a friend or get the hell out.” She scowled at me.

“Geez, okay. If you’re so scared, why are you even watching it?”

“Because it’s Halloween season,” she explained. “It’s my favorite time of year.”

“You want a soda or something?” I asked. “This is some salty popcorn.”

She nodded without taking her eyes off the TV. I grabbed a couple sodas from the fridge and decided to creep up on her from behind just as an intense scene was playing.

“BOO!” I gripped her shoulders with my hands, and she jumped, dropping a hand full of popcorn.