Logan nods and steps away. “Good, because he used to be my stepbrother.”
His admission echoes in my brain, and I struggle to comprehend it.
Logan comes back to where I’m standing in front of his truck, out of the way of the paramedics, and presses both hands to the hood beside me. His head drops forward as he sucks in long, deep breaths.
“Are you okay?” It’s the dumbest question in the world, but I have no idea what else to say.
He lifts his head and looks at me. “I figured one day he’d turn up dead from an overdose. I just never figured I’d have a front-row seat to it.”
I lay a hand on his shoulder. “You heard the EMT; you might’ve just saved his life.”
“We, not me. And that’s if he makes it. Not that he’d thank us for doing a damn thing.”
It seems there’s no love lost between Logan and his former stepbrother.
“I can follow you to the hospital and—”
Logan shakes his head. “I’m too fucking pissed to go anywhere near him right now. There’s nothing I can say that Jeff would want to hear.”
“Then we could—”
“I gotta call Jeff’s uncle. Only family he’s got left after his dad passed.” Logan straightens. “If he pulls through, maybe Duane can finally get him into rehab. He’s a pastor, so maybe he could pull some strings somewhere.” Logan slams his hand against the metal hood, and I can feel his body shaking beside me. “Fucking Jeff,” he murmurs.
“I’m so sorry.”
“No, I’m sorry.” He pushes off the hood and faces me. “Really fucking sorry this morning turned to shit.” Logan’s breathing evens out, but the lines around his eyes show the evidence of strain.
“It’s not your fault. You jumped in there and did everything you could to save him. That’s ... amazing.”
He leans in and presses his lips to mine. “I’m glad you think so, but anyone would’ve done the same thing. Now I gotta make some calls and get some people praying he’ll pull through.”
I touch my forehead to his. We’re both sweaty, but I don’t care. “You know what, Logan Brantley? You’re a good man. He’s lucky you were here. And you’re wrong. Not just anyone would’ve done what you did.”
“You were right there next to me, Bruce.” He releases a long breath. “You gonna be okay? You want to come along with me?”
Logan’s offer is sincere, but all my instincts say he needs some time alone to process what just happened.
“I should head home.”
He pulls me against his chest and squeezes me tight for long moments before lifting me off my feet and carrying me to the rental car.
“I’m sorry, Banner.”
“You’ve got nothing to be sorry for.”
I click the remote to unlock it, and Logan pulls open the door before lowering me inside.
“I’ll grab your boots.”
“Thank you.”
I rest my head on the steering wheel as my entire body shakes with the aftermath of what just happened.
Life is short. Shorter for some than for others, so we have to make every moment count.
Chapter 34
Logan