I nodded and held Tuck’s hand tighter. “Distract me. Tell me what’s going on with David.”
Tuck let out a sigh that ruffled the hair on the back of my head. “He’s on his way to county lockup.”
“I can’t believe—” The sting of the alcohol against the gash in my forehead stole the words out of my mouth and the air out of my lungs.
Tuck squeezed my hand in a rhythm I knew was meant to distract me from the pain. Three squeezes. Pause. Another three. Pause. “You’re doing so good, Wilder. So fucking strong. Like always.”
“Fuckity freaking fudge sticks fuck!” I’d found my voice again, and I wasn’t afraid to use it.
The EMT winced as if preparing for Tuck to rip him a new one. Instead, Tuck just chuckled. “At least I know you’re getting back to normal.”
I inhaled through my nose and out through my mouth as the burning fire on my head eased. “Back to normal because of my creative cursing?”
Tuck leaned in closer. “I love your creative cursing.”
My breath caught. “I’m glad.”I’m glad? Really, Jensen? That’s the best you’ve got?I blamed the head injury.
I felt Tuck straighten, but he kept hold of my hand.
Walker filled my line of sight. “What’s the verdict?”
“They’re gluing her back together,” Tuck offered.
Walker’s gaze flicked to our joined hands. He paused for a moment and then shook his head, grinning. “You worried she’s going to pass out on you again?”
“The thought had crossed my mind.”
The EMT started messing with my wound, and I bit down on my lip to keep from crying out. “This will just take a few seconds.”
I forced my eyes closed, and Tuck picked up the rhythmic squeezing of my hand.
Walker cleared his throat. “Tuck, the Forest Service wants your official statement when you’re done here.”
Tuck grunted his agreement.
Walker pushed on. “When the EMTs are done with J, I want to get her home, but you can send whoever by to take her statement later.”
I held my breath. Waiting. Hoping that Tuck would protest. Insist on taking me home himself. Better yet, on not leaving my side. I hoped that this would be the moment he would tell my brother and everyone else that his place was by my side. Instead, there was nothing but silence.
48
Tuck
I swipedthe palms of my hands down my jeans as I climbed out of my truck outside Jensen’s guest house. I’d fucked up. Pretty much at every turn. And I knew it.
But the look on Jensen’s face when I’d agreed to let her brother take her home from the crime scene…that had gutted me.
I just hadn’t known where we stood. And the last thing I’d wanted to do was have that conversation in front of Walker. I blew out a long breath and started for the door.
I’d checked in with Walker on my way home from the Forest Service station after an afternoon of interviews, statements, and a whole lot ofhow the hell did this happens. He’d told me that Jensen was resting and that his parents were keeping Noah for the night so she could sleep in.
She was alone. Now, I just needed to see if she’d let me through the front door. If she didn’t, I’d stay outside and wait. I was done messing up where Wilder was concerned. It was time for her to know that I was here to stay.
“About time you got here.”
My hand went to the gun holstered at my hip before my brain recognized Irma’s voice. “Jesus, that’s a good way to get shot.”
Irma rose from the rocker on the front porch. “So’s abandoning my girl in her time of need. And being an idiot.” Her eyes narrowed at me. “I still got pretty good aim, you know.”
