After I got wasted, someone dragged me off to take the fall for them in their car, and I ended up getting hauled in by the cops for questioning.

Luckily, they figured out I hadn't done anything wrong, but the embarrassing part is, I was so out of it, I latched onto the female officer's leg and refused to let go.

Turns out, that cop was my buddy's sister.

And she was into me.

Like, really into me, for a long, long time.

1

I got dumped.

One drink, and I completely fell apart.

"A drink that's only thirty-seven percent alcohol? Seriously?"

The bartender placed a freshly mixed drink in front of me. The liquid shimmered under the pale blue light, like crystal.

Me, the guy who never used to touch a drop, had ordered several drinks I'd never dream of trying before.

I picked up the glass and downed it in one go. The burn and bitterness exploded on my tongue, and then the damn tears started streaming down my face.

Three years.

Over a thousand days and nights.

Thirty thousand-plus hours.

Over three million seconds.

All down the drain!

I slammed back the last drop in my glass and slammed the glass down hard on the bar, making a dull thud.

The alcohol was hitting me. I grabbed my phone and made a call.

"Alex, what's up?"

My best friend's voice came through the phone.

"Jake, tell me, what the hell is wrong with her?"

"She's the one who ditched me for some rich kid, cheated first, and she has the nerve to blame me? Saying I won't find a job, won't make money, can't give her a happy life?"

I took another huge gulp of my drink, fueled by the booze, and started ranting about my ex.

"At the police academy, I aced everything, awards up the wazoo, even did a few heroic things, you know? What right does she have to look down on me?"

"Ha! Plenty of girls are into me... what's she got to be so stuck-up about?"

"Yeah, yeah, totally," Jake agreed. "Alex, you're a great guy. She doesn't appreciate you, that's her loss!"

"Exactly!" I slammed my hand on the table. "She's not worth it!"

I was drunk, my head was spinning, not making much sense.

After hanging up, I couldn't even remember what I'd said. I just stared at the bottle.

Why am I torturing myself? Why hang myself up over one girl?

Thinking this, I took another big swig.

It's just a breakup. What's the big deal?

I stumbled out of the bar. It was already dark.

The cold air hit me. My head started to ache, but mostly I felt dizzy. The world seemed to be spinning.

I couldn't tell which way was up, staggering down the street.

Just as I was lurching along, someone suddenly grabbed me.

"Hey buddy, do me a favor."

A rough, low voice.

I turned my head. The guy reeked of booze, his face was flushed red, and his eyes were glazed over.

I scoffed. Lightweight.

But before I could say anything, he yanked me into a car.

What the hell is this guy doing?

I tried to fight back, but I was totally limp, no strength at all.

He shoved me into the driver's seat, tossed a couple hundred bucks on me, then took off running, stumbling, nearly face-planting.

I was still confused when a cop walked up.

He waved at me, signaling me to stop, then tapped on the window.

"Can I see your ID, please?"

I automatically reached for my wallet, but just then, the alcohol really hit me.

My head spun harder and harder... I passed out.

…

I woke up... in the police station.

Blue and white walls, neat lockers, warning signs on the walls came into view.

As awareness slowly returned, my blood ran cold.

Damn it.

I was set up!

"You're awake?"

The person talking was in uniform.

Tall, fair skin, sharp features, almond eyes, a high ponytail, looking sharp and capable.

"Officer, I wasn't drunk driving! Someone dragged me into the car!" I explained frantically. If I got booked for a DUI, I'd be screwed.

"Relax. My colleagues already found the car's owner."

She handed me some breakfast and sat down beside me.

"Eat something first. Get something in your stomach."

Seeing I was still panicking, she opened her laptop, pulled up a video, and put it in front of me.

In the video, I was drunkenly walking and singing, even helping an old lady cross the street.

Then, just as I reached the intersection, a big guy with a red face dragged me into the car.

Then the cop showed up.

The woman smiled. "My colleagues pulled the surveillance footage last night. We were going to send you home, but you were clinging to my leg for dear life, wouldn't leave. We had no choice but to let you sleep it off here."

2

My face flushed hot.

So embarrassing.

I never knew I was such a messy drunk!

"Officer, uh, what should I call you?"

"My last name is Miller."

Miller?

"Officer Miller, I was totally out of line last night, I'm really sorry, and for wasting your time, look..."

She smiled gently. "It's okay, understandable. Just finish eating and head home. Your family's probably worried."

I paused, saw Officer Miller really didn't seem bothered, nodded, finished my food, and left quickly.

I got home late morning.

Jake Miller was squatting on my doorstep, playing games on his phone. As soon as he saw me, he jumped up. "Alex! You're finally back!"

"You were gone all night, didn't answer your phone... I thought something happened to you!"

I pulled out my phone, only to realize it was dead.

I scratched my head awkwardly. "Uh... spent the night at the police station."

"What?" Jake looked shocked. "What'd you do?"

"It wasn't me! I got dragged into a car last night by some drunk guy trying to get me to take the fall for his DUI. I was so wasted, I passed out. Woke up at the station. I'm worried if this will mess anything up for me."

I sighed, feeling anxious.

"Which station were you at?"

"The one in the West End Precinct."

Jake started laughing. "No way! My sister works at the West End Precinct. You want me to ask her about it?"

"Yeah? Awesome. Thanks, man." My eyes lit up.

"No problem." Jake dialed a number. "Hey, Sis? My buddy got picked up yesterday, Alex Reed... Yeah, can you see..."

That evening, I got a friend request on my phone.

I checked the name, saw it was Jake's sister, and accepted.

【I asked around for you. The car owner was plastered too last night and came up with that stupid plan. He turned himself in this morning.】

【So don't worry about it affecting anything. But since you're an academy student, you should probably be more careful in the future.】

I paused, wondering how she knew I was in the academy... figured Jake must've told her.

【Okay, got it. Thanks so much.】

Jake's sister replied quickly.

【No problem. Just buy me dinner sometime when you're free.】

【Okay, deal.】

I didn't think much of it, figuring she was probably just being polite.

Then I thought about Officer Miller again. Her striking face popped into my head. Maybe I should get her a thank-you gift too?

3

A week later, I got a call from Jake's sister, Claire. I rushed to the station.

Jake was sitting there, cheek swollen, bruised lip, clothes torn up.

"Alex!"

He ran over as soon as he saw me.

"Finally!"

I frowned. "What happened to you?"

"Got mugged! But I won the fight!"

Jake said, flexing his fist.

I mentally facepalmed. This idiot. Still so upbeat even like this.

"Are you okay? Need to get checked out at the hospital?"

"Nah, Alex, just scrapes and bruises. No big deal. But you should see the other guy!"

Jake patted my shoulder, looking proud.

Just then, Officer Miller—Claire—and two other cops appeared, escorting someone.

The person had a hoodie pulled low, clothes ripped, face and arms covered in cuts and bruises.

Clearly the mugger.

Seeing the guy, I couldn't help but chuckle.

Jake really did a number on him.

He wouldn't be looking normal for weeks.

Claire saw me and gave me a small smile.

My heart hammered.

"That's him!"

Jake, completely oblivious to my reaction, pointed at the man, gritting his teeth. "Little punk! Serves you right for trying to rob me!"

"Alright, that's enough," Claire cut him off coolly. "Go give your statement."

"Okay," Jake mumbled, looking put out, and followed the other officers.

I waited in the lobby, awkwardly greeted her.

"Officer Miller. We meet again. Uh, thanks for your help with this."

Claire looked a little surprised, so I quickly introduced myself.

"We met last week, remember? The drunk guy? I'm Alex Reed. R-E-E-D."

No idea why, but I suddenly really wanted her to remember my name.

"Alex Reed... Got it."