Serving Trouble(47)

“They did.” She blinked as if trying to fight a fresh wave of tears. But her efforts were no match for her grief. “But I’ll miss work. And I have bills due.”

“Go. I’ll cover your lost wages and tips.” With his free hand, he gently removed her grip on his wrist. Then he leaned into the patrol car and drew her out. He slipped one arm under her legs, his other supporting her back.

“Noah, it’s too much,” she murmured.

“I’m not worried about the money, Josie.”

But I’m fucking terrified for you, and for Dominic.

“If you’re sure.”

Slowly he straightened, cradling her in his arms. “Please, Josie. Just say thank you and let me help you this time.”

He was aware of her face pressed against his chest. He’d dried from the shower, but now her tears dampened the hair. Even though she was crying, she felt so damn good in his arms. Someone to hold on to. Someone to keep him from falling apart.

“Thank you,” she murmured. “But you don’t have to carry me.”

Holding you tight? That’s for me, sweetheart. To keep me from falling to pieces in my driveway while wrapped in a towel.

He tightened his hold and headed for the house. “Let me take you inside, get you a piece of pie, and then we’ll book your ticket. Later, I’ll find a way to get the patrol car back to the station. I’m sure your dad’s deputies understand. He’s probably briefed them by now.”

He kept his voice low and soothing as he rambled. If he were in her shoes—­and shit, he was pretty damn close, Dominic had been like family to him—­he’d want a barrage of reassurances blocking the bleak what-­ifs from parading through his imagination. What if Dominic had already lost too much blood? Or what if his friend had lost a limb? What if he stayed alive but was never the same?

Noah clenched his teeth as he reached the porch steps. He refused to cry. Not here. Not now. He’d give her pie first. Get her settled. She didn’t need to see him fall apart.

“The pie’s pretty good. It’s the one Josh dropped off for Caroline.” He pushed through the door and headed for the kitchen table. Scanning the room, he didn’t see Caroline. He had a hunch she’d disappeared. Whether she’d run out of fear or out of respect for the emotional moment they’d shared in the driveway, he wasn’t sure.

Kicking the chair out with one foot, he lowered her down. And his blue bath towel followed her feet to the kitchen floor.

“I need to get dressed.” He’d retrieved the only thing keeping his naked ass covered while he focused on being a friend to Josie. She’d come to him. After last night, when she’d made it clear she didn’t need anyone, she’d driven straight to him. And he was pretty damn sure it was because she needed a friend.

He secured the towel around his waist and headed for the door. “Pie is there on the table. Plates are in the cupboard to the right of the sink and forks below. Help yourself.”

He took the stairs two at a time, half listening for movement in the kitchen. It sounded like she’d found the plates. Now, he needed clothes. And then . . .

He stepped into his bedroom. Dominic’s face stared back at him. There was a whole fucking collage from their senior year. He spotted Lily curled up in friend’s lap. Lily and Dominic side by side after a game. Someone had called Lily, right? Dominic had broken up with her. First after he’d left for basic training and then again when he’d completed Ranger School. Noah had taken it as a sign that Dominic didn’t plan to call Forever home again. He guessed Lily had too. But she still stopped by the bar now and then to ask about him.

Pulling off his towel, he hung it over the pictures. He turned around and there was Dominic’s face again. The three friends in their uniforms, arms slung across each other’s shoulders. He kicked the table and the frame fell forward, crashing into the wooden surface.

What the hell happened out there, Dom?

He thumped his fist against the wall over the nightstand. But fuck—­hitting the wall hurt. Leaning his head forward, he closed his eyes and let the tears flow. He’d fought to hold them back since he’d run to Josie’s side in the parking lot. But now he felt like he was going to explode if he held them in any longer.

“Don’t you fucking die, buddy,” he murmured, his face still buried against his arm. “Please.”

“Noah?”

He lifted his head, but didn’t turn to look at her. He didn’t want to give her proof that she’d walked in on him naked, crying, and hoping like hell her brother would live.

“Yeah,” he said gruffly.