Jacked (Trent Brothers #1)(76)

“Why Al’s, Erin?” he asked. His words were soft but definitely demanding an answer.

I wanted my boots and coat now more than ever. “For your information, I didn’t intend to tie one on, either. I just so happened to have one of the most shittiest days of my life yesterday and then someone bought me a drink and then before I—”

“I know,” he interrupted. “His name is Benny Deets and he’s one of my snitches. He’s a piece of shit and nothing but trouble. Been in jail more than he’s been out of it. So answer my question. Why did you go to Al’s?”

My skin pricked with fright. I remembered talking to a cute guy who, by Adam’s accounts, was dangerous. Well, if Adam was looking to make an issue about my bad choices, I wouldn’t give him any fuel. “I don’t owe you any explanations. I don’t owe you anything.”

“Erin!”

“You want me to say it?”

I could see the weight of his plea in his eyes.

He nodded stiffly, once.

“Not sure you deserve the satisfaction.” I stepped around him, searching for the rest of my things, hating that my attraction for him had turned into another Spanish Inquisition. “Why did you bother to come and get me anyway? I sure as hell didn’t ask you to drive there last night, or were you just conveniently patrolling the neighborhood again?”

He snagged my arm. “Why Al’s, Erin? Fucking answer me!”

His words cracked me like a whip, casting an instant icy chill through the air. My hands started to tremble. I was barely holding it together as it was, feeling wrung out and stripped of my stability. Without recourse, I pulled out of his hand and snapped. “You! Is that what you want to hear? That I was hoping to find or see… you. Okay?”

I swiped an errant tear, hating that I’d been reduced to this emotional mess. “My… my uncle died yesterday. So did a little four-year-old girl who was doing nothing but playing in the snow. She died right in my f*cking hands.” I heard my own voice crack, pinched with renewed pain to the point where I could barely speak. The sights, the sounds, the feelings of utter failure from yesterday barraged me all at once. “You satisfied now?”

I watched his face fall.

“They took him off life support and I watched him take his last breath.” My purse slipped off my shoulder and thudded on the floor. “I didn’t… I didn’t know where else to go.”

His feet ate up the space between us. Seconds later, I was in his arms, his warmth seeping into my skin from his intense embrace. His hands pressed into the center of my back, into my hair, pulling me in even closer. It was hard to tell where he ended and I began.

“Oh, babe, I didn’t know.”

Even his warm breath on my hair felt like a soothing balm on my tattered spirit.

He hugged me tighter, placing kisses on the top of my head. “I’m sorry. So f*cking sorry.”

I hated that my cheek fit perfectly on the broad plane of his chest. Desperation for some much-needed sympathy had me gripping his shirt as if it were a lifeline.

“I just thought you went out to party last night. I didn’t know something bad had happened. Oh, babe, forgive me. I didn’t know. I swear. I’ll get you through this, though. I promise. We’ll get through this.”

I wanted so badly to believe him. “Please don’t make me promises.”

Adam heaved out a sigh. “I should have knocked on your door, Erin. I wanted to.” He pulled me back far enough to look down at me; his eyes were so sincere. “Know that I wanted to so f*cking badly, okay?”

Harsh reality was warring with my need for comfort. I knew I should leave but I was too busy crying. “Yeah, but you didn’t.”

Adam’s eyes closed. “I know I owe you some explanations.”

“I figured you were done with me or that I did or said something wrong.”

“Far from it. This is all on me.” The pad of his thumb skated lightly over my cheek. “I’m sorry I got angry. It’s just certain things bring up bad memories.”

Boy, could I relate.

“Tell me how you got this bruise. Did you get into a fight or something?”

I needed to rest my head back on his chest. Things just seemed so much better there. “No. I got kicked by a patient. A drugged-up hooker, actually.” I sniffed, catching a wonderful whiff of Adam at the same time. “Her tox levels were so high I’m surprised she was able to move at all.”

Adam’s thumb wiped away some tears. I heard his tiny laugh, though I knew he wasn’t laughing at me.

I rubbed the spot on my face where his fingers just were. “She caught me with the front of her boot.”

“Her hooker boots?” He chuckled softly.

“Yeah, her crack-whore hooker boots,” I mumbled into his chest. “It’s not funny.”

“I know.” He twisted all of my hair into one roll and moved it out of his way.

I melted when his fingers massaged my neck, running along the sore tendons like a seasoned pro, lulling me into an instant stupor. I had to get away from him before he eviscerated my heart. “I need to go home.”

“I want you to stay.”

“I need a shower,” I grumbled, wiping my cheek.

“So go take a shower.”