Page 117 of Let Me Be the One
He didn’t want to leave her, but he knew she wouldn’t let him help, so he gave her privacy. Wearing only his boxers, with Blu at his side, he went to the living room.
A peek out the window showed Sutter—who was trying to look in. They stared at each other, Tanner with sharp annoyance, Sutter in surprise.
In two seconds flat, Tanner moved away from the window and jerked open the front door.
Blu shot out, but he was a well-trained dog and did no more than offer a growl.
“Blu, no.”
Blu shot him a look that clearly asked: Are yousure?
Damn, he loved his dog. As he stepped out with the dog, Tanner instructed, “Go do your business, bud.”
Reluctantly, Blu went into the grass but he kept an eye on Sutter the entire time. It was almost humorous to watch the dog piddling while mean-mugging Callie’s ex.
Finally, Tanner gave his attention to Sutter. The other man wore a petulant scowl; obviously, he’d expected to find Callie alone. “What do you want?”
Sutter drew himself up with umbrage. Teeth locked, he said, “My fiancée.”
“Sorry, dude, but that ship not only sailed, it sank.”Crossing his arms, Tanner leaned against the outside of the doorframe. “Anything else?”
Eyes narrowing, Sutter insisted, “I want to see Callie.”
“I’m here,” Callie said, shuffling slowly into view.
Incredibly enough, Sutter didn’t seem to notice her bruises. “I woke you?”
“It’s not even seven and I had a rough night.” She stepped onto the porch beside Tanner.
“Oh?” Sutter’s gaze shifted to Tanner in accusation. “Let her down, did you?”
“No, he didn’t,” Callie said. “Why are you here?”
Finally, Sutter’s gaze dipped to her exposed thigh and the kaleidoscope of blue and purple bruising. His brow lifted, but not an ounce of real concern showed in his expression. “What happened to you?”
“I fell out of my attic.”
“Callie,” he chided softly. “This is why you shouldn’t be here alone.” He opened his arms to her.
In disbelief, Callie huffed at him, then leaned into Tanner.
Sutter slowly lowered his arms and frowned. “What is this?”
“Exactly what you think it is,” Tanner said, not about to make that same mistake twice. He slipped his arm around Callie to offer support.
Pulling back, Sutter shook his head. “No.”
“Oh, yes,” Callie said with happy conviction.
Okay, so despite dickhead dropping in, it was turning into a great morning for Tanner. Especially when Blu came up to sit with them. Now it was three to one—if Sutter could even count for a whole human being.
He needed to get Callie inside, give her someaspirin and coffee, and possibly more ice for her aches. But first Sutter would have to go.
As casually as he could manage, Tanner said, “If that’s all then?” He started to turn.
Sutter surged forward a step, infuriating Blu who stiffened and showed his teeth in a snarl.
The way Sutter ignored the dog, it was as if he thought Blu wouldn’t dare. All his angry attention was aimed at Callie. “So rather than marry me, you would prefer to—”
