Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 73794 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73794 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
“Yeah.” I sucked down oxygen like a chocolate shake through a straw. Didn’t help one bit. “I can do that.”
“I can drive him,” Tony volunteered.
“Hospital’s three blocks away.” Sean frowned, gaze darting between us. “You okay to drive, Caleb?”
“Of course,” I lied, wanting nothing more than Tony’s warm embrace and steadying presence. But I had no choice. I couldn’t look at Tony, couldn’t think about how much I needed him, couldn’t even risk a few words on my way out of the room. I was too close to crumbling, and too much was at stake.
I needed to reach Scotty. No falling apart allowed. I sensed Tony behind me, but I didn’t let myself turn. Instead, I increased my pace as I headed for the parking lot, phone out to call my mom. Deep breaths, like Sean said. I had to think positive for Scotty’s sake, but inside, I was already bracing for the worst.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Tony
Not being able to go to Caleb truly sucked. In the Rangers, I had often struggled with what to say to offer comfort in moments of loss or difficulty. I wasn’t exactly known as a warm and fuzzy sergeant. But with Caleb, the urge to be there for him was as natural as breathing. Moreover, with Caleb, I wouldn’t have to say anything. I instinctively knew what my guy needed—a tight hug and someone to manage all the little distracting details so he could focus on being there for Scotty and his mother.
But I couldn’t offer any of that, not at work, not with Sean standing right there as Caleb exited the kitchen. Bad enough I’d tried to follow him after offering a ride. I wouldn’t blame Sean if he were suspicious after that little display, so I didn’t risk texting Caleb right then. Instead, I bolted down the rest of my food and headed to the next task on my list: cleaning the rig after the earlier callout for the grass fire.
I waited to reach out to Caleb until I was in the restroom, like a kid sneaking his phone at school. Even then, I kept it bland in case my text was seen by prying eyes.
Me
How goes it for Scotty? Keep us updated back here at the station. Pulling for you both.
Including Caleb in my thoughts for Scotty felt harmless enough, a friend-level text with no personal or emotional subtext. And frankly, I hated that. I wanted all the subtext. I wanted Caleb to know I cared and was here for him and that I’d drop everything…
But I couldn’t type any of that. Couldn’t risk Caleb’s job. If the hammer came down on me, so be it, but if I got Caleb in trouble, I’d never forgive myself. Consequently, I second-guessed myself until my shift finally ended that evening.
My steps were wooden and slow as I headed to my car. The smart thing would be to go to Eric’s, help Jonas with dinner prep for the teens, and wait to see if Caleb ever texted me back. Our down-low arrangement had been perilously close to discovery for weeks, and we had to stop playing fast and loose like earlier with the kiss while we were technically both on duty. But God, how I wanted to be there for Caleb. I paused as I reached my car and glanced down the road toward the hospital. My whole body felt pulled toward Caleb, a physical need.
“You going over to the hospital?” Eric jogged up alongside me. He was in street clothes with wet hair and had to be coming off a shift himself. I was dying to know if he’d been on the call for Scotty, but I couldn’t risk the question.
“Uh…” I tried to school my expression, but my inarticulate sound surely didn’t help my effort to not give too much away.
“John and most of the team went to the hospital after practice let out. I’m sure Cosmo is with them there waiting for news.” Eric’s tone was a bit impatient, like I should have known all this already. “I’m heading to the hospital to check on John. Come on, ride with me. You can be support for…Cosmo.”
Eric’s audible pause before naming Cosmo was damming, another sign Caleb and I had overplayed our secret relationship.
“Yep, Cosmo might need me.” I nodded like a puppet on a stick, and it was a testament to our long friendship that Eric didn’t roll his eyes at me. He just unlocked his SUV and gestured for me to get in.
And so, I found myself in the visitor’s waiting area outside the emergency department, near the information desk, though there wasn’t much information forthcoming. Caleb’s mom was in with Scotty, who was only allowed one visitor at the moment, while Caleb sat in the corner of the waiting room, surrounded by spookily quiet football players. The players were all on their phones or staring at the TV, which was tuned to a sports news channel.