Troping Through the Snow by Alexa Riley

Joy's eyes widen when I come storming in. I give her a quick smile but go right into my brother’s office without knocking.

“What the hell!” I shout, and North glances up from whatever papers he was reading.

“Aren’t you a ray of sunshine? Did Sally make tuna salad? It’s not the best, but it’s not terrible.”

“I know, right? It just needs a little more mayo or…” I trail off while my brother smirks. “You cleared all his tickets.”

“I did.” He doesn’t even try to hide it. Though my brother is not one to lie. Ever. At times I think he can be a bit too by the book. “Jack’s resort brings in more tax dollars than the rest of this town combined. You don’t need to write stupid tickets for no reason.”

“Stupid?” I hiss at my brother. North isn’t wrong; Jack does a ton of stuff for the town for free. It’s because he’s nice to everyone but me.

“I don’t know what your deal is with Jack, but he's a good guy. Stop being an asshat.” I gape at him.

“I’m the asshat? He’s the one that’s rude to me!” My brother can’t be this blind. “You’re a traitor.” I point my finger at him, and he shakes his head before he goes back to reading the papers on his desk. “You really want to play with me, North?” I put my hands on my hips.

“You can’t write me tickets.” He doesn’t bother to look back up at me.

“No, I suppose not, but I’m sure I can think of other things to do.” My sweet tone has him lifting his eyes in suspicion.

“Tins,” he warns.

“North.” I give it right back. “You know re-election is around the corner.”

“No one is running against me. Nice try.”

“As of right now.” I’m so bluffing.

“I’ll call Mom,” he says and makes a grab for his phone.

“You snitch!” I lunge across his desk, trying to rip it out of his hands.

“You’re a cop and you’re calling me a snitch?” he laughs.

“You know what?” I push off his desk and ignore the crap I knocked off.

My brother, being the A-type that he is, gets up and starts putting everything back in its place. While he’s doing that, I tuck my uniform back in place and push my hair out of my face.

“Go on.”

“What?”

“You said do I know what.”

“Oh right.” I get back to the task at hand. “You’ve chosen your side. Now you will have to deal with the fallout.”

“Is the fallout a snowball to my face?”

“I could add that on, I suppose.”

“Are we done here? I’ve got shit to do.” He drops back down in his chair behind his desk.

“Are you going to work all night?” He shrugs. Of course he is.

“Mr. North,” Joy says as she pokes her head into the office.

She moved to Troping two years ago to help take care of her sick grandmother. She’s sweet, but shyness clings to her and it makes it hard to get to know her. Even now, her cheeks are turning pink.

“Joy.” My brother stands up and abandons his papers.

“I was only letting you know I was heading out. Unless there’s anything else you need.”

“I’ll walk you out.” I cut in before my brother can respond. I don’t miss the tic in his jaw.

“Oh, you don’t have to do that.” Joy starts to wave me off.

“I walk her out,” North says, and Joy’s face turns more pink.

“Like every day? Is it because of the crazy crimes around here? It’s still light out.”

“Shouldn’t you be out working?” North growls at me, and I peek at my watch.

“Nope.” I smirk. “I’ll walk you out, Joy. I’m headed that way, and I’ve got a gun if there’s any real trouble. You know, someone throwing a snowball at us or something.”

“You’d shoot them?” Joy’s eyes widen.

“They’re rubber bullets,” I whisper as I snag her arm. “We should hit Jingle Bar. Half-price appetizers and spiked hot chocolate.”

“Right now?” She chews on her bottom lip.

“Yeah, right now. Well, I need to change first, but we can grab Frostie too.” I guide her toward my patrol car.

“But my vehicle—” She points to it.

“Will be fine.”

“I guess.” She gives in to my peer pressure. “I’ve never been in a patrol car before.”

“You want to drive?”

“Drive?” she squeaks.

“I’m messing with you,” I laugh as I put my seatbelt on. I don’t miss my brother standing at the top of the stairs that lead into City Hall glaring my way in the rearview mirror.

When will my brother learn I’m better at this than him?





CHAPTER 4





JACK





“It’s late and I’m tired. Remind me again why you’re dragging me out?” I sigh as I shove my hands deeper into my winter coat and walk up the next block with North.

“It’s literally across the street, how am I dragging you out? Besides, this will be worth your while.”