My life . . . is . . . a freaking comedy show.

There’s nothing I’ve done to deserve this amount of bad karma. I’ve been a good friend, sister, daughter, I uphold the law, and I’m a good person by most people’s standards.

What the hell have I done to have this happen to me?

I release a deep breath and go back into work mode. “Do you know why I pulled you over, sir?”

“Are you going to pretend you don’t know me?” Eli asks with his brow raised.

“Mr. Walsh, we all know who you are. However, that doesn’t mean that nearly colliding with two vehicles is acceptable.”

Eli looks over at Brody. “What’s up, man? Is she always this way?”

“You two old friends?” Brody asks.

I clear my throat. “License, registration, and insurance . . . please.”

I somehow get the words out without squeaking or sounding unstable. Brody laughs, and it takes everything I have not to look at him. I hate him right now.

“Sure thing, Officer Covey.”

“Don’t go anywhere,” I warn as I take the paperwork from him.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be right here, Heather. I don’t run away.”

Bristling at his words, I walk away, feeling Brody’s gaze on me. There’s no doubt that as soon as we get back in the car, I’m going to get it—good.

Instead, Brody stays quiet while I assemble the paperwork. He may not be speaking, but he’s saying a whole lot in the silence.

“Just say it,” I mumble and finally look over.

“I’m not saying a word.” He raises his hands. “Clearly, you two know each other, and it ain’t from growing up here. You tell me everything, so there is no way you wouldn’t have told me you know him,” Brody pauses and leans back. “I’m not saying a word about who you may or may not have slept with recently. Even though, it’s pretty obvious.”

“You know, you not saying a word took you a long time.”

“It’s not like you’ve had a five-year drought since your divorce. Or that you slept with a singer/actor. Nope. I have nothing to say about that. Not a thing.”

I groan. “Could you not say anything for real this time?”

“Sure thing, boss. I’ll just be over here, watching Hell start to thaw.”

This is not going to get any better. I’d almost rather hear the questions. This is Brody Webber. My partner, my friend, and the one person who I have enough dirt on to make his life hell if he repeats this.

“Okay, fine. Yes, I slept with Eli Walsh. I was crazy and dumb. I also had about six beers, which is two over my threshold, and I was trying to be in the moment for once. Fucking Nicole and her pep talks.”

Brody coughs a laugh and then recovers. “Sorry, go on.”

“I swear, you better keep this to yourself. If you tell anyone . . .” I give him my best threatening face. “I mean anyone, I’ll make your life a living nightmare.”

He shakes his head and laughs again. “I won’t say a word, but you had a one-night stand with one of the most famous men in the boy band atmosphere. You’re too cool for me, Heather. I don’t think we can be friends. I’m sure you and the band will be happy without me.”

I huff and grab the papers. “I’m getting a new partner.”

I walk back over to the car, praying this will be painless. “I’m not going to ticket you this time,” I explain.

“Because that would be awkward since I’ve seen you naked?”

Oh Jesus.

I ignore the comment and proceed as if he didn’t say that. “Just slow down, Mr. Walsh.”

“It’s Ellington.” He takes my hand in his as I hand the papers back. “I figure since we’ve you know . . . had sex and all . . .” He pauses and gives me a blinding smile before continuing, “You should at least call me Ellington.”

Thanks to my obsession, I know most things about him, but I truly didn’t know his full name. I guess back when I was searching for info, Google wasn’t what it currently is. Now, though, I feel like he let me in on some secret.

“Fine, Ellington, please drive safe.”

“We should talk about what happened the other night.”

“That’s not necessary.”

Eli grips my hand as I start to pull back. “Dinner.”

“What?” I ask with shock.

“Have dinner with me.”

Is he for real? He wants to have dinner with me after I ran out? Either he’s crazy or I’m still dreaming. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m really busy.” I tug my hand back and smooth my uniform shirt. “Make sure you don’t run anyone off the road.”

“For you, Heather, I’ll drive with both hands on the wheel and follow the speed limit.”

“Oh, so you’ll actually obey the law?” I smile without permission. Damn him.

He leans so his head is out the window. “I have a feeling you and I will be seeing each other again.”

“I don’t think so.”

In fact, I know we won’t. I know that I’ll never pull over his car again, and he doesn’t know anything about me other than my name and that I’m a cop. Okay, so maybe he knows a lot more than I’d like. Still, there’s no reason for him to talk to me again. Ever.

“You and your partner be safe on the job. I hate seeing fellow officers in the line of fire.”

My body twists, and I scoff. “You’re not a cop. You play a cop on television.”

“I have a badge.”

“It’s fake.”

Eli reaches across the seat and puts his “badge” on his lap. “Doesn’t look fake to me.”

I roll my eyes. “We both know that’s not real. Also, impersonating a police officer is a crime.”

“Are you going to arrest me?” Eli asks with a coy smile.

“You’re not worth the paperwork.”

With that, I turn and start to walk away. I don’t get too far when I hear him yell, “I’ll see you soon, Heather.”

Brody leans against the car with a huge grin on his face. I point at his chest and warn him again. “Not a word.”

He chuckles and climbs in the car. “You better pray no one at the station hears about this.”

I groan and rest my head on the seat. “I sure know how to complicate things.”

“Yeah, you sure do.”

With that, we both fall silent as I drive to the hospital. Brody and I walk to Stephanie’s room without commenting further on my life choices. It’s the one saving grace in my job, guys don’t want to talk about it all. Brody lets me say what I need to say, and then once he’s had his input, he’s done. I don’t have three-hour-long discussions to analyze the “why” of things with him. Nicole, who I’m sure is dying to grill me for details, is the exact opposite.

I make a mental note to avoid her as well.

As soon as I see Steph, I can tell she’s doing better. The shades are open, and she’s sitting on the guest chair and looking out at the water. Her hands are steady, and the overall mood in the room is lighter. But I know my instincts are correct when I see Stephanie’s big smile as we enter. “Brody!” she practically squeals.

Stephanie has had a crush on him for as long as I can remember. If I didn’t see him as an annoying guy who has gas issues, I probably would think he’s hot, too. He’s tall, has dark blue eyes, a chiseled jaw, and he oozes confidence.

“Steph!” He grins and pulls her into his arms. “You’re looking hot.”

I fight back slapping him, but I know he’s trying to make her happy. He is all too aware of her affections, and I’m grateful he doesn’t ever make her feel silly.

Rachel thinks it’s cute as well.

I think it’s ridiculous.

“Stop,” she says as the blush paints her cheeks. “How’s work?”

Brody fills her in on the call we just came from, and she clutches her chest. I could leave the room, do handstands, or juggle and she wouldn’t notice. When he’s around, he’s all she sees. He’s the only man in her life that doesn’t treat her like she’s dying.

“But the best part,” Brody leans in and my eyes widen, “was when your sister pulled over a famous actor!”

“Brody—” I try to stop him, but Stephanie waves her hand at me.

“Yup. Eli Walsh.”

“Oh my god!” Stephanie yells. “Eli! Like, the same guy you went to the concert to see?” she asks, looking at me and then Brody.

“The same one.” Brody grins. “Did Heather tell you they know each other?”

“Dead. You’re dead,” I state.

My hands start to sweat and regret washes through me. I didn’t want to tell anyone this. And my big mouth told Brody. Yes, he sort of figured it out on his own, but still. Now, the last person I want to tell is my sister.

I don’t know why, but I feel like an irresponsible adult who did something completely out of character. Letting her see that makes me want to crawl in a hole.

“Heather!” Stephanie shifts quickly. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me?”

“There’s nothing to tell. You need to focus on you and not me.”

“What?” She looks affronted. “What does that mean?”

I walk toward her. “It’s nothing that I want to talk about.”

“But you’ll tell Brody?”

I was enjoying her good mood.

“Because Brody is nosey and figured it out. You don’t need to know about these things.”

Her face morphs from annoyed to pissed off. “You’re not my mom, Heather. You’re my sister. You act like I’m some kid. I’m twenty-six, and I’m so tired of you treating me like this.”

This the part of our relationship I absolutely hate. Stephanie doesn’t get that, while she’s technically an adult, she’s still a kid to me. I’m twelve years older than she is and practically raised her because she was a minor when our parents died. I wasn’t.

After that, we no longer had the relationship where she would try on my clothes and we’d spend hours watching movies. It became about homework, bills, laundry, and making sure she wasn’t cutting class. I don’t resent it. I would do it all over again. But it didn’t mean I liked the way it changed the dichotomy of our relationship.

“I know I’m not Mom. Believe me, I know.”

She’s used every opportunity to wield that sword at me, and it cuts deep each time, leaving wounds that aren’t superficial.

“Then stop treating me like your kid and treat me like your sister. I don’t know how much time I have left, and I would like to have our relationship be different.”

Tears fill my vision as she brings forth the truth of what time we have. Brody clears his throat and touches Steph’s arm. “I’m going to grab some coffee. See you later, Squirt.”

She fumes at his nickname and turns her head away.

I take Stephanie’s hand in mine. “I’m sorry you feel that way.”

“I ruin everything!” She bursts out and pulls her hand free from my grasp so she can cover her face.

“Why would you say that?”

“Because! I do!” Steph turns a little and a tear falls. “I know I’m the reason Matt left.”

“Steph—”

“No, I know.” She wipes the tear away and draws a long breath. “I hate that my illness brought you pain. You didn’t need that.”

My heart pounds in my chest, and I’m doing my best to stay strong. The fact that she thinks she’s responsible for Matt’s crappy decision is unreal. It isn’t her fault he wasn’t man enough—it’s his.

I open my mouth to dispute her, but she puts her hand to my lips.

“I’m not done. It’s been hard watching you scrimp and save because I can’t work. There’s nothing you wouldn’t and don’t do for me, and I love you so much. However, it doesn’t mean you can’t live, Heather. Jesus, live because I can’t.” Stephanie’s voice is strangled on her last word. The tears I was trying to keep at bay fall. I pull my baby sister into my arms and hold her to my chest. “I can’t live, but you can . . . and you should,” she says as both of us fall apart a little.

I grasp her face and pull her so we’re eye to eye. “You’re living now, Steph.”

“This isn’t living. This is waiting to die.”

The words I want to say all feel wrong. She has every right to be angry, sad, and anything else she grapples with. Her life was stripped from her in a way that took our world and knocked it over. There was no warning or planning for this disease.

Instead of demeaning her feelings, I hug her tighter and let her cry.

After a few minutes, she calms and leans back. “You okay?” I ask.

“No, but I feel a little better.”

“You don’t have to hide your hurt from me,” I remind her. “I’m always here for you.”

Stephanie nods. “I know, but I miss my sister. I want to know when you do dumb things, and I sure as hell want to know when you meet some famous person.”

I groan, and my head falls back. “Fine. I’ll tell you all about it, but it’s so much more than meeting him.”

“Oh. My. God. Tell me you actually hooked up with him!”

There’s no way I’m getting out of this, and the joy that she has right now will be worth all my embarrassment.

I shift a little, trying to relax for this awkward confession. “I did. Get comfortable because I spent the other night being completely irresponsible.”

“Finally!”