“Which means you are, too?”
He grins and does a little shrug.
I’m frustrated, and my throat feels tight. “This doesn’t make any sense unless he’s afraid of me being alone… which means—”
In that instant it all clicks together. It couldn’t be anything else, and I feel like an idiot for not seeing it sooner. At the same time, my stomach drops as I acknowledge what it means.
Just then Elaine flies into the kitchen, as predicted, whizzing around the room and gathering her things fast. She sees me and freezes, guilt filling her green eyes. “You’re awake.”
“And you two aren’t really fighting.”
Her pink lips twist, but a car horn sounds outside. “Oh, that’s my ride. Sorry, Mel. Have to get to school.” She pecks me on the cheek and Patrick on the mouth—followed by him grabbing her waist and pulling her back for a longer, open-mouthed smooch.
I leave the kitchen, headed for my bedroom with a boulder in my chest. The case that has Derek so tense, Patrick turning into my live-in babysitter… I’m standing by my bedside thinking when it all clicks together.
“You okay?”
I squeal and almost throw my coffee across the bed. “Patrick! Jesus!”
He tries not to laugh, putting a hand on my shoulder. “That’s exactly what he wants to avoid. He doesn’t want you to be afraid.”
My heart’s still flying as I set my coffee cup on the dresser. “So you’re really not going to tell me what’s happening?”
“No.”
Dropping onto the bed, I look up at him. “How long will you two be staying here?”
“Until Derek arrives on Thursday.”
Thursday. Despite it all, knowing he’ll be here so soon makes my heart rise. “That performance last night really wasn’t necessary. You could’ve just insisted I spend the night.”
“It was a last-ditch effort.” He walks over and sits beside me on the bed, patting my knee. “We tried everything to get you to stay at our place. You’re stubborn as a damn mule.”
“I am not!” My eyes widen, and he laughs more.
“Have you met yourself?”
I want to laugh, but my realization kills the levity. “This is about Sloan, isn’t it?”
Patrick’s smile fades, and he looks down. No answer.
The truth of what’s going on beats painfully in my chest. The change must be clear on my face because in one quick move, his arms are around my shoulders, and I’m pulled into Patrick’s embrace.
“It’s going to be okay.” His voice is soothing, his hug warm. “I’ve got you covered until Derek gets here, and then he’ll take over.”
“I’m fine.” I push back and clear my throat. “Sloan doesn’t scare me anymore. Look.” Going to the closet, I open the door and reach inside, pulling out a wooden baseball bat. “Backup plan.”
His grin returns at the sight of it. “Think you could use it on him?”
“I know I could use it on him.”
He walks over to me. Then he taps me on the nose with the tip of his finger. “Glad to hear it, because I have to drive to Raleigh today. I’m pretty certain you’ll be okay while I’m gone, but I feel a little better now.”
A line pierces my forehead. “What’s in Raleigh?”
“Not what, who. Toni Durango.”
“The stripper?” I’m right behind him as he heads to the door. “Elaine was right?”