Wyatt Cocker (Cocker Brothers Book 23), стр. 17
My gaze drops to my boots, the gravity of how close we came to that deepens my volume. “How many?” If we’d been going any faster, Diana could have been gone. And we’d have her blood on our hands.
Nathan pauses. “Don’t want to talk about it. Just checking if you’re faring any better.”
I lean against a bulletin board heavy with pharmaceutical companies ads, images of happy people suffering from things I’ve never heard of and never want to. “Nate, how’re you doin’? Everything okay?”
“This is what I signed up for. I can handle every second of it. Don’t worry about me.”
The strength in his voice makes me proud. Nathan decided to become a fireman after Nicholas was in a fire not too long ago. Our big brother that close to becoming ashes turned on a switch in Nate and he changed trajectories almost immediately. When we all went to one of Billy Cooper’s raging parties, he casually announced the new plan. We never saw that coming. Then again to the surprise of Mom and Dad, he proclaimed it. And followed through.
“We hit someone today.”
“What? How? What happened?!”
“Washington hit a jogger with our patrol car. Female.”
“Oh my God.”
“We’re at the hospital.”
“Jeez, Wy, what’s going to happen?”
“I’m hoping to nail her, that’s what’s going to happen.”
There’s a stunned pause, and Nate cracks up. “You dick. You had me going there. You really hit someone with your car or was that complete bullshit?”
“Yeah, we did.”
“She okay?”
“She’s hot is what she is. Real firecracker.”
“Firecracker,” Nathan says, tone tinged by excitement. “Fourth of July is coming up. Busy season.”
I chuckle. “You got bit by the bug. Hold onto that during hard days like this.”
“I’m affected by it, Wyatt, but it feels good to help. To be the first responders.”
“Indeed. I gotta go. Doctor is walking out of her room.” He starts to say something, but since I’m really curious about Diana, I’ve already hung up and I’m walking back.
Wait.
What am I doing?
My eyes drop to the dark screen, the photograph of him standing atop a boulder in Cascade Springs, gone. I motion to the doc that I need a second, turn away from him and Wash, and dial Nate back. He picks up on the first ring. “You were going to say something?”
“Just said I love you.”
I blink at the tile floor as rapid footsteps pass behind and in front of me. “I love you, too, Nate.”
He hangs up in an effort to beat me to it. Fucking hilarious.
I chuckle and walk back, loudly asking, “What’s the prognosis?”
Washington is with him, and I see Diana appear, the door swinging open like she wants to escape. Dressed in damp clothes again, as he talks she spots me.
Our eyes lock and I don’t hear a thing our trained expert says.
Diana strolls up, pretending not to have a limp, and overlaps his hot-air monologue, “It’s just a bruise.”
He nods, cutting the medical jargon down to words we can understand. “A deep bruise that requires ice and elevation, but yes, a bruise.”
Washington asks, “Does she need an X-ray?”
“For?”
With three pairs of eyes watching, Washington doesn’t want to explain his question. But now he has to. “For…internal bleeding.”
The doctor’s eyebrows rise. “Uh…no. The only internal bleeding is just beneath the surface of her outer dermis causing the discoloration and pain.”
“Discoloration meaning just a bruise,” Diana smiles.
“A deep but normal bruise. She can go home.”
Washington nods, shoulders squaring with his proud jaw. “Wanted to be sure.”
“Of course.”
“Since it’s my responsibility.”
“I understand. Excuse me.” The doctor exits, expression saying he won’t miss us.
Diana puts dry hands on damp hips. She lifts them off, staring at her fingers. “I need to get out of these clothes.”
Before I can say what I want to, Washington grabs my shoulder. “Let’s get her back home.” He pushes me so that I’m walking alone. “Now Diana, where do you live?”
I cough, “Coffee shop.” He ignores me. I know he heard.
“We’re going to drive you home since, you know, I hit you.”
“You’re not going to make me call a car?”
He eyes her. “So that’s still how it’s gonna be.”
My phone vibrates, and I think it’s Nate texting something he forgot to tell me. But the preview is a text from Chief.
It’s a screenshot photo of me carrying Diana through the hospital.
My ribs tighten. “Uh oh.”
Washington glances over his huge shoulder. “What’s up?”
I tuck my phone away, face blank as I shrug, “Nothing that can’t wait.”
CHAPTER 14
DIANA
Riding in the back of a police car feels weird. Add this to our undeniable flirtation at the hospital, and I can barely be still.
Get undressed.
You dressed, Diana?
I thought you told me to undress.
I’d been so agitated by his ego, our misunderstanding about them cutting line, and refusal to let me get the hell out of that depressing place, that it took me by surprise when we were in the room together and all I wanted to do was jump on him.
I wanted him to kiss me.
Almost undressed in front of him.
Just to see what he would do.
Deputy Washington asks, “You want us to talk to your job. Tell ‘em why you—?”
“—This is it. The duplex. 134.” I unbuckle my seatbelt, reminded of May. And Eddie. “Today is my day off. I’m all good, thanks.”
I don’t work on Thursdays because Friday is a long day for me — movie night at Silver Linings. They vote for the film and we’ve seen Fried Green Tomatoes and The Godfather about eight times each. That’s the day I plan future events, make reports on how the past week’s went, then I enjoy the film with everyone. And I usually sit next to May and Alice, because I enjoy their company.
Runs in the family, apparently.
Should I tell you that I know your great-grandmother? Would it be weird to bring that up now? How do I explain not having said it already…
Yes, I’ll tell you now.
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