“River, wait,” Jonah blurted.
I whirled around and met him stare for stare. “You do not get to come into my place of business and cause a disruption. This isn't the kind of job where I can come and go as I please. I can lose my license if I don't take care of my patients, and I'll be damned if that's going to happen, especially over something that involves Spring. Now, get the fuck out of my way or I’ll have security remove you.”
Copper’s hand landed on Jonah's shoulder and physically pulled him back a few steps so I could leave. Somehow, I had reversed our positions while I was telling him off. I gave Copper a nod of appreciation and returned to my shift with the intent to pretend like the previous thirty minutes never happened, but I should have known two Blackwings and two police officers entering the ER as a unit wouldn’t go unnoticed.
“So, what was your little visit about?” Kennedy asked as she grabbed her stuff from her locker.
“You’re probably going to find out anyway, so I’ll go ahead and tell you, but I don’t want to talk about it. Okay?”
Her eyes widened, but she quickly nodded in agreement.
“They came to tell me my mother died from a drug overdose yesterday. I told them to call my brother if they were looking for someone who cared because it most certainly wasn’t me,” I said and then added, “And that’s all I have to say about it. You ready to go?”
Kennedy stared at me with her mouth hanging open for long moments. Finally, I said, “Okay, then. I’ll see you next time,” and turned to leave.
“Wait! I’m coming,” she called out and was walking beside me a few moments later.
As we walked in silence, I started to feel bad for making her uncomfortable. I sighed. “I still don’t want to talk about it, but I will say that I’ve never had a good relationship with the woman who birthed me. The last time I spoke to her was well over seven years ago. I’m sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable, but this is no different to me than a stranger dying.”
“I understand, but if you ever do want to talk about it, I’ll be happy to listen,” she said sincerely.
“Thanks, Kennedy,” I said and stopped to give her a hug before heading to my car.
I wasn’t surprised in the least to find Jonah leaning against my car with his arms crossed. “Why are you here?” I asked, making no attempt to hide my annoyance with him.
“I need a ride home,” he said and moved to the passenger door.
“And you just assumed I’d give you one?”
“Yeah, because even though you’re pissed at me, I know you care about me. I’ve had less than five hours of sleep in the last forty-eight hours. It’s not safe for me to drive home.”
It pissed me off even more that he was right. I did care about him. A lot more than I cared to admit to myself, or anyone else for that matter. I started to relent, then had a sudden realization. “Why didn’t you ride home with Copper?”
“He was on his bike.”
“The officers could have taken you home.”
“A biker never gets into a police car by choice,” he smirked.
“You could’ve called a cab or an Uber.”
He grinned. “You need to hear it, baby? Fine. I was waiting for you…in case you weren’t okay. Now, can we go home?”
“Fine. Get in,” I snapped and unlocked the car. How dare he say and do something sweet and thoughtful while I was trying to be mad at him?
I drove home in silence. When I pulled into the garage and got out of the car, I expected Jonah to do the same, but he didn’t. I called his name twice, but he didn’t answer me, so I walked around to the passenger side and quickly realized he was sound asleep. A small part of me wanted to leave him right where he was, but the larger part of me cared about him and couldn’t do it.
“Jonah,” I called again and gently shook his shoulder. “Jonah, wake up.”
He mumbled something and turned his head away from me. I leaned across him and shook him by both shoulders. “Jonah! Wake up!”
Before I could even blink, he had knocked both of my hands from his body and had his hand around my throat. Just as fast as he’d done it, he released me and raised his hands in the air. “Fuck! I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”
“N-no, you didn’t. I was just trying to wake you up,” I stammered as I backed up and put some distance between us.
He dropped his head and rubbed the back of his neck. “I was in the Marines for a few years and I spent a good bit of time in a combat zone. If you can’t wake me up from the side, it’s better to let me sleep.”
“Okay,” I said softly. “Come on; I’m tired, and obviously, so are you.”