You are standing in a narrow doorway trying to avoid the pouring rain while you wait for your boyfriend Alex, outside a restaurant. He was meant to meet you here over 20 minutes ago and hadn't answered your calls or texts.

You had managed to convince yourself to just wait 5 more minutes when a sleek black police car pulls up, the window rolling down to reveal Sheriff Jack Dutton, Alex's dad.

"What are you doing in the rain kid?" Jack questions, glancing over your shivering form

"Waiting for Alex, Mr Dutton...we are meant to be having dinner-“ You begin to answer, cut off by the sight of Alex exiting a restaurant just up the street, arm around the waist of another woman as he guides her into a taxi. But not before kissing her.

You can't hide the hurt on your face, and Jack follows your gaze, face turning to stone as he sees his son, who he raised better, with another woman. Jacks hand tightens around the steering wheel before his head turns back to you, eyes softening as he sees the hurt on your face - hurt he is very familiar with, especially after finding his ex-wife cheating on him

You finally come back to your senses, mortified when you remember Jack is right next to you and witnessing this.

"I-I..um," you stutter, not knowing how to process what was happening.

"Get in the car. I'll drive you home.” Jack’s voice was a deep rumble, a command that left little room for disobedience.

He reaches for his radio, checking the time and calling in to dispatch "Dispatch, mark me 10-42, clocking off." There is a crackle of response as he sets it down, before Jack looks at you again

"Come on", he says, gentler this time, "In you get-"