This is Love by (Checkmate Duet 2)

“Nah, I’m good.” I try to put on my best poker face, but I’m not sure how convincing I look. I didn’t dare mention I already knew. I hide my excitement and put up my front. I pretend to feel indifferent about him coming home, though my heart instantly races at the sound of his name and I still have a million questions.

“All right. Well, I should be back in a few hours then.”

“Okay.” I avoid eye contact, taking another drink of the best coffee in the world, hoping it will cover my emotions that are ready to boil over. I exhale and look at Drew. He’s staring at me intently, and for a moment I wonder what the hell he’s going to ask me. Does he know? No. He’s not smiling or anything, and I begin to freak out.

“What?” I ask, reluctantly.

Drew sets his empty cup down.

“It’s about you and Travis.”

My heart races and I instantly shake my head at the way he’s looking at me. I fight the urge to say anything in case I’m being paranoid.

“Ask me anything,” I lie, channeling my inner Travis King is an asshole act that I’ve perfected over the years. I swallow hard, watching and waiting for him to speak. Damn Drew. The anticipation eats me alive.

“I need a favor.”

“Class starts tomorrow, and I won’t really be around to do any more favors.”

I nod my head toward my bags that are waiting for me at the front door.

“Well, see… that’s not really going to work for me. Or Travis.”

My mouth falls open. He’s way smarter than he looks, and I know whatever he’s about to say has already been worked out in his head. Even when we were kids, he was a negotiator, and not much has changed since then.

“This week between classes, do you think you could come over and check on him?” He flashes a genuine smile, one of those charming smirks that make girls like Courtney swoon. Being his sister, I have a genetic immunity to his charm.

“I won’t have time,” I say with certainty, hoping I sound convincing, but I know I can make it work.

All he does is laugh, not believing my words.

“I won’t be around to help him, but since you’re right down the road…”

“Don’t act like you don’t goof off when you’re on patrol. All those donuts…”

“Number one: I don’t eat that shit, and you know it. Number two: You already survived him during spring break, so what’re a few hours between classes?”

Focusing on my coffee, I don’t have any words. At least not any I can say aloud. All sorts of thoughts are running through my mind, but Drew’s voice brings me back to reality.

“Look, I know you can’t stand to be in the same room as him, and you’ll probably poison him by the weekend, but he really needs you, and you’re a little genius, so you don’t need to study as much as you do.”

My heart feels like it may beat out of my chest. My palms are sweaty, and Drew is enjoying putting me on the spot a little too much.

“Please, Vi. I’ll even have Starbucks waiting for you after class.”

Fighting a smile, I say, “Wow, you really are desperate.” I almost feel bad for playing him like this.

“I’d do anything for Travis,” he states so genuinely. “But I can’t be late to work even if I begged. The Chief will have my head, and my partner won’t take my shit.”

I let out a deep breath, acting defeated. “All right, fine. But you owe me huge. Any favor that I can use at any time I want.”

Drew holds out his hand, and we shake on it. “Deal. I’ll allow you to cash in on one reasonable favor. I’m a cop, not a millionaire.”

I smile. “Venti White Mocha.”

“What the hell does that mean?” He looks utterly confused, and I chuckle at his expense.

“My Starbucks order. I want a Venti White Mocha with an extra shot and a blueberry muffin.”

“Wait, I didn’t agree on the muffin—”

I shoot him a look, challenging him to fall back on our deal.

“Fine,” he states between gritted teeth. “You play to bust balls.”

“It’s one of my best qualities,” I say with a cheesy grin.

“You have to actually be helpful, though, Vi. He’s going to be sore and on pain meds. Just make him some lunch and make sure he stays hydrated.”

“So, play Betty Crocker and greet his one-night stands at the door?” The words leave my mouth before I can stop myself.

He shakes his head at me with a knowing grin. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you two were secretly in love with each other.”

I nearly choke on my saliva.

“Relax, I was just kidding.” He pats me on the back. “Anyway, I gotta head out. The Chief about had an aneurysm when I asked for a half-day.”