Or maybe not. I had no idea.
I stuck out my hand. “Thank you. I’ll get him home and sobered up. I have never known him to have more than a couple of beers, so today is the exception, I assure you.”
She nodded, looking over my shoulder toward my truck. “I get that. Everyone has one of those days they need to forget.”
Kelly spoke up. “Come by the garage whenever you want. Your car will get great service.”
The officer looked at the card. “I will. You guys be safe.”
She got into her car and drove off.
I turned to Kelly. “You’ll follow?”
“Yes.”
I sighed. “Okay, let’s get the boy home.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Brett
Chase stumbled, muttered, and groaned but never really woke up as I dragged him into the house. I deposited him on top of his bed, shaking my head as I looked down at him.
“He is gonna hurt in the morning,” I muttered. “Big-time.”
Kelly disappeared, returning with a bottle of Tylenol and some water. She put it beside him and pulled up a blanket as I tugged off his shoes. “Poor kid,” she whispered, stroking his hair in a tender gesture.
I left his light on and pulled his door shut. Outside my room, I paused. “You staying?”
“Oh, ah—”
“I’ll drive you home in the morning.” I ran a hand through my hair. “To be honest, I’m exhausted, Kelly. I just want to go to bed.”
“I don’t have—”
Again, I interrupted her. “I’ll give you a shirt and a toothbrush.” I took her hand and lifted it to my mouth. “Just sleep. No bear noises.”
That made her laugh. She covered her mouth, giggling. “That was embarrassing.”
“It was, but it was also damn funny. The whole leg hitch thing was too. I never know what that kid is gonna say.”
I tugged her hand. “Yes?”
She nodded.
A short while later, she crawled in beside me, looking cute and sleepy. My shirt was way too long on her, but I liked how she looked in it. I pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her head. “Thanks, Kelly.”
“For what?”
“Coming with me and helping me with Chase. Staying.”
She snuggled closer, her head on my chest. “You’re welcome.” She yawned. “I’m tired too.”
“Wore you out today, did I?”
“And last night,” she murmured.
I felt a wave of tenderness wash over me. I liked her like this—warm, quiet, and cuddly. It was different for her. “Go to sleep, then.”
In a minute, she was out. I enjoyed holding her, having her close. It was the first time she’d ever stayed here with me. The first time we’d ever shared a bed simply to sleep. There seemed to be a lot of firsts in my life lately. What they all meant, I had no idea, and I was too tired to think too deeply about it. I closed my eyes and, surrounded by the soft fragrance of Kelly, fell asleep.
She was awake early, no doubt used to her schedule of being up and taking pictures at dawn. I didn’t object but drove her home, trying not to laugh when she asked me to drop her off at the driveway.
“I’ll walk up to the house.”
“Charly will still see you.”
“She’ll think I was out taking pictures.”
“You are an adult, Kelly, and after last night, everyone is aware we’re sleeping together.”
She rolled her eyes and got out of the truck. “I am not giving her more to quiz me about.” Then she sighed. “She’s probably already on my sofa, waiting to pounce. She’ll know I wasn’t there all night.”
I chuckled. “Sounds like Charly. I’ll go in your place, and you go handle Chase.”
She shook her head, turning serious. “Be patient with him, Brett. I think he’s hiding a lot of pain.”
“I know. I will. I just want him to know he doesn’t have to hide it. We’re here for him.”
Her eyes were soft. “I know you are. You’re amazing.”
Then she turned and hurried up the driveway. As I turned the truck back around to head home, I saw Charly in the yard and laughed.
We were busted, and now Kelly had to face her alone.
That left me with Chase.
When I pulled into the driveway, Stefano was already there. He climbed out of his truck, holding a tray of coffee. “Morning.”
I got out, holding a tray as well. “Great minds,” I said.
He chuckled. “Figured it would be needed.”
We went into the house and found Chase on the sofa. He’d obviously showered, his hair damp and fresh clothes on. He had his head in his hands, his shoulders slumped. We sat down, and Stefano nudged him. “Hey. How you feeling?”
Chase looked up, his eyes bloodshot. “Like shit.”
Stefano handed him a coffee. “This will help. So will Tylenol.”
“Already took some but wasn’t coordinated enough to try the coffee machine,” Chase admitted, taking the lid off the to-go cup and drinking the hot beverage. He shut his eyes. “Jesus, did you hear that hit the bottom?”