Hetch (Men OF S.W.A.T #1)(61)

“You know, he’s pretty, cool.” I nod because I do know. Hetch is way cool. All the boys at Haven are in love with him. They hang on every word he says when he comes to visit with Mitch.

I’ve tried asking Hetch how his time with Mitch is coming along, but he hasn’t revealed anything since they’ve been spending time together. Just keeps telling me Mitch is opening up more and more with each visit and he has everything under control.

“I think he loves you.” He pushes his milkshake back and folds his arms over his chest, with a smirk on his face.

“What are you talking about?” My voice starts to rise on the last word, but I manage to catch it in time.

“Hetch, he totally loves you.” His brows bounce with humor, his grin spreading wider.

“No, Mitch.” I shake my head and reach for my soda.

“Aww, come on, Lib. I know y’all think you’re hiding it, but I’ve seen the way you look at him when he’s at the house.” He laughs when my face burns in embarrassment.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mitch.” I sip on my soda and pretend not to be affected.

Shit, have I been obvious?

“If you say so, Liberty.”

“I do say so.”

Mitch opens his mouth to continue but shuts it when the subject of our conversation coincidently strolls into the diner with three other officers.

The air stills and a calmness, which wasn’t there before, settles over the place.

Hetch clocks us instantly. A slow smile steals over his face when his eyes connect with mine.

Jesus, he’s handsome.

Tallest of the four, his strong, powerful presence commands not only attention but respect. I know I say it every time I see him in his uniform, but holy shit.

Somehow, his navy shirt seems tighter today, and the black military pants that had me wanting to climb him this morning when I watched him dress, has me wanting to climb him all over again.

“What were you saying, Liberty?” I ignore Mitch’s jab and focus my attention on Hetch until he’s standing directly in front of us.

“Hey, Mitch. Liberty.” He offers me a wink before sliding in next to Mitch.

“What are you guys doing here?” I ask when Sterling slides in next to me and the remaining Fox and Hart occupy the booth next to us.

“We dropped in for lunch.” A quick flick of his gaze to Sterling, and a few snorts from the booth over tells me he’s lying.

“How did you know we were here?” I ask Hetch, but my eyes track Mitch’s sudden tensing.

He was texting Hetch.

Well, there’s my answer to who he’s been chatting to.

“Don’t be mad, Lib. I was chatting with him, and told him we were hanging out here,” Mitch confesses right away. Hetch doesn’t say anything, just calmly takes a menu from the waitress and starts looking it over.

“So you thought you would invite yourself.” I point my gaze to Hetch. I’m not angry at Mitch for texting him. I think it’s great he’s been spending time with him and connecting with him. I just wish he didn’t come around while I was working.

I find it too hard to concentrate, and I need to stay focused.

“We were in the neighborhood.”

Another lie.

Another few snorts.

“So what did you guys order?” He changes the subject, moving his attention back to the menu, and forcing me to let it go.

Seriously, I don’t know if I want to kiss him or smack him.

Maybe both.

“Cheeseburger and fries. They have great burgers here, right, Lib?” Mitch looks over at me, gauging my opinion.

“They’re pretty good.” I nod, backing him up.

“Okay, you sold me.” Hetch drops the menu back to the table as the radio attached to his belt comes to life.

“All units in the vicinity of Westchester and Vine, Code Three. Shots fired.”

Hetch and the boys stand in record speed before the dispatcher finishes his words.

“Rain check, Mitch?” Hetch asks, dropping a fifty-dollar bill down on the table.

“Yeah, for sure.” Mitch beams up at him, more excited than I’ve ever seen him before.

“Okay, lunch is on me. See you later.” He offers me a wink and a grin, and as fast as he entered the place, he’s gone. Mitch smiles and waves, watching them with me through the glass window as they climb into their SUV.

“Liberty?” Mitch asks, still turned at the waist, watching them pull out and speed off down the street.

“Yeah?”

“I think I know what I wanna do when I finish school.” He turns back and faces me.

“Yeah? What’s that?”

“I wanna be a cop,” he tells me proudly, and I can tell he’s serious from his posture.

“I think you would make an amazing police officer,” I tell him as our cheeseburgers arrive.

“You think so?” He pauses. “Even with Dad and Dom?” He doesn’t have to finish the question, but I know what he’s asking.

Even if my father is a murderer and serving twenty-five years. And even if my brother is a street thug who’s heading down the same road.

“I do, Mitch. You should never let anyone’s actions define what you want out of life. Okay? You can be anything you set your mind to. Regardless of where you come from or who you are related to.” He responds with a nod and I know he’s listening. Know he’s thinking.