Turn Me On (Man of the Month 7)

Parker shook his head. "I never read the rulebook on those. Not sure you--"

SCREEEEEEEEEEECH!!!

The horrific sound of tires slamming and metal crunching filled the bar, followed almost immediately by the wail of multiple car sirens.

There weren't many people in the bar at lunchtime, but those that were bolted for the door, with Landon leading the charge, stone-cold sober now. "Call 911," he yelled to Derek. "Tell them we need an ambulance, and fast."

"Who's hurt?" Derek asked, waiting for the call to connect, but Landon was already out the door.

Parker, however, was at the window. "I'll get Reece," he said. "It's Jenna."

"What?" The cry from behind them came from Tiffany, who was now racing to the door. Amanda was pacing her, but as she passed Derek, she shot him such a pitiful look he almost hung up on 911 just so he could go comfort her.

"Yes," he said in reply to the dispatcher. He ran through all the answers, gave all the necessary information, then hung up and pushed outside into the noise of the crowd.

As soon as he was through the door, Amanda threw herself into his arms. He hugged her tight, but his mind was only half on her. He was looking at the car. At Jenna's slumped form. At the hole in the back window that didn't look like it could have come from an accident.

Landon was at the driver's side beside her, and Tiffany was standing by pacing, holding her cellphone, and telling anyone nearby that she was on the phone with Taylor and there was supposed to be airbags. Why were there no airbags?

Soon, the wail of sirens filled the street, and at the same time, Reece came running, so fast he looked to be flying. He pushed through the onlookers, his face a mask of terror, then knelt beside her just as the first paramedic arrived on the scene.

Landon backed away then, consulted with the second paramedic, then finally came over to where Derek stood with his arm around Amanda.

"They think she's going to be fine. They're taking her in just to be sure, but I think everything will be okay."

"I think she's pregnant," Amanda said. "She hasn't said anything, but--"

"She is," Landon said. "She told the paramedics. That's another reason they're taking her in. Just to be safe."

Amanda nodded, not sure if she should be relieved or worried.

"One other thing--someone threw a brick through the back window. That's what made her lose control."

"What?"

"Who would do that?" Derek asked.

"No idea. But I'm going to ask around. Try to learn if anyone saw something." He looked between the two of them. "Maybe you two should go home."

"Maybe we should," Derek said once Landon was out of earshot. "Do you want to come home with me?"

"No," Amanda said, the word making his heart break a little more. "I mean yes. But I need to tell you something first."

"Wha--"

But he didn't get to finish because she silenced him with a kiss, long and deep and overflowing with passion. "I love you," she said when she pulled away. "More important, I know you love me, too. And I've figured out what that means. It means you're here. With me. Beside me, like for always. Right?"

He nodded, her words making his legs a little weak. "Nowhere else, baby."

"That's what I want." She nodded toward the ambulance. "Not the wreck. But what the two of them have. Reece and Jenna. And My parents. And my brother now that he's found Shelby. And I think that's you, Derek." She licked her lips. "The man who'll always be beside me. I think it is. Honestly, I'm sure it is."

"Baby..." He took her hand, wanting to kiss her, but she was still talking.

"I'm sorry I was scared. Or stupid. Or both. But I love you." She sniffled. "I think I thought by being an ostrich I could keep myself safe." She nodded at the wreckage. "But you can't do it."

"No, you can't."

"Yeah, well, if I'm going to navigate all these long dark scary roads you keep talking about, then I want someone strong by my side. I pick you," she said.