Yeah, I really fucking hated those words.
I smoothed a hand over her hair.
“You ready to go back in?”
She nodded and stood before I could help her. I followed her up, and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Go ahead in, Firefly. I’ll be right there.”
“Do you want me to wait with you?”
“No, I just need a minute. I’ll be in soon.”
She stared at me in concern. “Are you okay?”
No.“Yeah, I’m fine.”
She looked unsure, but she went in. I watched until the door closed behind her, then turned to the wall. I wanted to punch it, so fucking bad, but Jenna would be upset if I busted my hand because of her. That’s how she’d see it. So, instead, I just let my head fall against it. The door opened again, and Ryan came out.
“The motherfucker held her down,” I rasped.
“You know who the fucker is?”
“Yeah.”
“He still breathing?”
I pushed away from the wall and faced him, fists clenched. “Might not be for long.”
Ryan nodded. “Let me know if you need help. But first pull your shit together. Your girl needs you in there.”
That was Ryan. Offering to bury a body for me and telling me to get over myself all in the same breath.
“I’m good.”
By the time we left, Jenna was smiling again, but the second she walked in her door, she dropped to her knees, and like he knew, Thor wrapped his paws around her shoulders and rubbed his snout on her face before she buried it in his neck, and maybe it was crazy, but I was freaking jealous of the dog.
At least she let me take him out and get her a glass of water, so I got to help her a little. But then she sat on the couch, her legs curled up under her, looking so small, and Thor filled the spot next to her before I could.
“Instead of the gym or a jog tomorrow morning, do you want to take Thor for a nice walk? I’d rather you not take him to the park yourself right now, and I’m working on Sunday.”
“I’d like that,” she said softly. “Thanks for thinking of him.”
I raised my eyebrow at him sitting squarely between us. “Like he’d let me forget?”
Jenna laughed, and it was the best sound in the world.
“And then I’ll take you to work, and I’ll stay with you, and take you home after, and we’ll do something fun tomorrow night?” I reached over Thor to hold her hand. “Please, Firefly. I can’t imagine how you’re feeling now, but I know how I feel, and I need to be with you, taking care of you for a while. Please say yes.”
I’d tried to take her to work and stay with her today, but she’d insisted she didn’t need a babysitter. She wanted me to come closer to the end of the day, but I bribed her with a homemade lunch and managed to spend half the day with her.
That was fine before, but not now. After the last few hours, I wanted to glue her to my side.
“Fine, but just for tomorrow.”
“I’ll take what I can get.”
Jenna yawned, big and loud. “Excuse me,” she said, slapping a hand over her mouth.
I knew how she felt about me spending the night, and now I understood the reason better than ever. The last thing I wanted to do was push her, but…no, that wasn’t true. The last thing I wanted to do was leave her. “Firefly, I’m sure you’re exhausted. I hate to leave you, though. Can I stay on the couch?”