Then there was a sudden thumping noise, and his hold on her weakened. She slumped back against the shelving, barely managing to keep herself from following him to the floor. What the hell just happened?
She looked up and managed to make out the outline of someone standing there. Then the nausea bubbled up and she leaned over and vomited.
“Well, that’s just fucking marvellous. I rescue you from dear old dad, and you vomit all over my boots.”
Gary. Gary was her rescuer.
Wow, this was turning out to be a very strange day. And before she could say anything, the darkness pulled her under.
19
He was just going to check on her. It didn’t mean anything. He was just being a good friend. He hadn’t seen her in a while and he wanted to say hello.
And why haven’t you seen her lately? Because you’ve been hiding from her. From them. From your feelings for them.
He let out a deep sigh. He’d figured the best idea was to stay away from them both. Being around them when he wasn’t a part of their relationship was torture. Plus, the last thing he wanted was to come between them in any way. So, he’d left for a while to get his head together. And missed them horribly the whole time he’d been gone.
He pulled into the parking lot of Foley Plumbing. He couldn’t go to their house. Seeing them together was too hard. A man could only take so much.
He climbed out of his car and walked through the front door. He stilled for a moment as he saw Gary leaning over her where she sat slumped on the floor. What the fuck?
“Hey! Get away from her.” He strode over and grabbed the other man, dragging him away.
Gary stumbled back. “Hey, man, I was just trying to help her. She’s vomiting everywhere.”
James looked at Kinley’s pale face, taking note of her dilated pupils and the garbage can Gary gingerly held which was partly filled with vomit.
“Migraine,” he said grimly. “How long has she been like this?”
“Dunno, when I came across Dad trying to get it on with her, she was already acting a bit weird. Then after I knocked him out, she vomited all over my boots.” Gary grimaced. “Gonna have to get me a new pair. Dad can pay since he caused all this. She fainted so I pulled her out here. But then she woke up and started vomiting again.”
“What?” James just stared at him. “Your dad did what?”
“Oh, yeah.” Gary ran his hand through his greasy hair, looking uncomfortable. “Turns out Dad’s been off his meds for a while now. Got it into his head that Kinley was the reincarnation of Mom. Don’t know why, Mom was small and dark-haired. Stupid idiot. I came in, found him trying to put the moves on her then knocked him out with a pipe. I’ve called an ambulance.”
“Jesus fucking Christ. Did anyone call Sloan?”
“Flower,” Kinley whispered. “He sent flowers.”
James crouched in front of her, taking her clammy hand in his. “It’s all right, baby. Don’t try to talk.”
“Sloan. Hurt Sloan.”
James stilled. “Who hurt Sloan?”
She just whimpered. Damn it, he needed to get her home to bed. But first . . .
He took out his phone and called Sloan.
“I tried calling him on her cell, man. He’s not answering.”
A siren sounded in the distance.
“You okay with her if I go check on Dad?” Gary asked.
James gave him a short nod. Frankly, he didn’t give a shit about Gary’s father. He was more worried about Kinley and Sloan. They were what was important.
Voicemail. He hung up and tried again.