“Ah you’re awake, I brought you a coffee” A blonde wiry young man handed me a warm paper cup full of the dark mocha drink.

“Oh um, thanks” I said taking a sip.

Involuntarily my face scrunched up in response to the bitter strong coffee, the officer’s face fell just a little as he rubbed the back of his head nervously.

“ Sorry my brewing skills are a little poor” he gave a short awkward laugh.

“ No no it’s fine, really thank you” I smiled reassuringly feeling awful at my initial reaction.

His cheeks flushed and his forest green eyes grew wide as he looked at me beaming with glee “Really? It’s okay, because I did try my best… sorry I must sound so lame right now” his face turned a shade of scarlet I didn’t even know was possible for the human skin. I just couldn’t hurt his feelings he was already so happy.

“ Parker your coffee’s crap” the female officer from last night stated bluntly.

‘So much for not hurting his feelings’ I thought.

“ Dang it I knew I should’ve added an extra scoop” he said not realizing that he probably should’ve deducted a scoop or two.

I looked back out immediately catching an icy blue stare, my breath caught in my throat at Alex’s intense gaze. I glanced down into my cup of coffee.

“ What’s he here for?” I asked interrupting a heated conversation on how to make a decent cup of coffee.

“ Who?” Officer Lamont questioned.

I pointed towards Alex, who had since continued talking with an older officer at a paperwork filled desk.

“ Oh the club owner. Some hooligans vandalized his club form what I heard” she said with a shrug.

“ Why? Do you know him?” Parker asked hesitantly.

“Kinda” I replied, thinking of the coffee I still owed him ‘ I’m definitely not giving him this cup’ I looked at the full cup in my hands.

Chairs scraped against the floor as Alex and the officer stood up to shake hands, with the turn of his head and a cat like swagger he made his way towards me. ‘How does he manage to show up at the worst time, I haven’t even had the chance to shower’ I groaned internally.

“ Cassi, what are you doing here?” He asked eyeing my Unicorn footie pajamas Jaycee had gotten me for Christmas, that I’m sure I looked childish in.

I glanced at officer Parker and Lamont clearing my throat to hint at the need for privacy.

“ That’s our cue to leave Parker” Officer Lamont said taking him by the collar and dragging him away like a lost puppy.

Alex laughed making my skin tingle at the sound ‘ seriously what’s wrong with me?’

“ They seem great”

“ Yeah they’re honestly my saviours I don’t know what I’d do without them” I meant every word of it who knows what would’ve happened if they hadn’t arrived when they did, I didn’t want to think about it.

“ So what happened?” He asked leaning against the doorway.

The light hummed and flickered as I told him everything about the night before; all of the terror, the fear that had built up, my eyes started to water as those feelings were released. I knew it was stupid to get emotional over a prank, but at the same time I had really feared for my life I mean what if it had been that murderer? I hated crying in front of people it was a sign of weakness in my book, so before he saw the tear that had escaped or how wobbly my lip was getting, I looked away. ‘Why do I have to be like this? Why can’t I be stronger? It’s okay just breathe Cassi, put on a smile and breathe’ I told myself trying to calm down before I turned back towards him. I’m sure my eyes were a little red, but I hoped my smile was convincing enough.

“ It’s okay I mean I’m fine” I finished telling him.

Solid arms wrapped around me, shocking me out of the facade I was putting up. They were warm, comfortable, safe. The smell of clean laundry and aftershave surrounded me enticing me to snuggle into his embrace, quickly I caught myself and pulled away. A flash of hurt shown in his eyes for just a brief moment before it was replaced with concern.

“ Cassi where are you going to stay?” He asked.

I answered him as honestly as I could “I don’t know”.

“ Then you have to stay with me, no one’s going to bother you if you’re with someone and I have plenty of space in the loft” he clearly thought the problem was solved.

“ Alex...we just met I’m not so sure that’s a good idea” I said hesitantly.

“ Nonsense Cassi, I can’t leave you when you’re in such a situation I couldn’t call myself a man if I did. Trust me I’d do it for anybody. Plus if you don’t trust me you can trust Brownie he wouldn’t let anything bad happen to you, I’m pretty sure he already likes you more than me” He smiled warmly.

I gave a light chuckle as I thought of Brownie, I did love that dog. “ Okay, I’ll stay with you, but only for a couple of days until this blows over, I don’t want to owe you any more than I already do” I said sternly.

“ Of course, we can go get your stuff now if you want, I’m heading out anyways” he offered.

“ That works for me” I said before getting up to fold the blanket I had used.

“ I have work most of the time so I shouldn’t be in your hair too much” I said thinking about the work I’d be doing today, at least I’d get to see Chase that’d take my mind off of things.

“ You’re still going to work?” Alex asked with confusion.

“ Yeah unless I want to lose my job, I got a very rigid warning that if I was late again or anything of the like, that I’d be out of a job so I kinda have to go” I said.

“ Well you could always get a job with me, I don’t think you’d be a terrible server and I’m always looking for new people since the club tends to get a little rowdy” he said.

“ Uh no thanks you’ve already done enough plus my job pays pretty well” I declined.

“ Okay, but if you ever need one the offer still stands. You about ready to go?” He asked as I got the last of the limited objects I’d brought to the police station.

“ Yep” I responded following him to the large glass doors at the front of the building.

“Hey! Are you leaving?” Parker’s voice trailed after me.

I turned to see his green eyes staring after me. “ Yeah I’m heading out” I replied

“ Oh...okay, we’ll update you on everything later” he said.

“ Sounds good to me let me know what you guys find out I really do hope it was just some kids playing a cruel prank” I shuddered to think what else it could’ve been.

He nodded watching after us as we walked away.

“ Looks like you’ve gained an admirer” Alex chuckled from the driver’s seat.

“ What?” I asked puzzled.

“ Officer Parker there definitely has a thing for you”

“ What? No way, he’s just a sweet guy is all” I shot back.

“ Nope that one has a crush my dear, it’s probably those unicorn pajamas they’re too provocative” his face cracked into a smile at that last part as he tried not to laugh.

“ Hey what’s wrong with my pajamas? I’ll have you know a very dear friend bought me these” I said gesturing to the unicorn footies and all of their glory.

“ Oh well in that case they’re adorable” he said sarcastically.

“Whatever you’ll never know their comfiness” I said feeling the plushy material. ‘Why did I agree to stay with him again?’ I asked myself ‘more importantly, why do I trust him so much? Why does he feel safe?’ I questioned more deeply.