“We’ll go with her,” Allie says as Leo nods.
“Good, I want you to move into the other guest rooms until I get word that Garrett has been picked up.” When I say this, they understand what I mean by the rattled tone in my voice.
It’s not a request, it’s an order. By the way they glance at each other and nod, they understand that this is nonnegotiable. “I need to talk to Rusty and Topper, but I’ll come check on you before I leave.” I watch until they’re out of view.
Georgia, Topper, Rusty, and I return to the Nook. The lights and the remnants from our charming evening help to slow the blood thudding in my ears.
“I’ll get something for your nose,” Georgia says, forcing me into a seat so I can calm down.
“How the hell am I supposed to leave tonight?” I ask, holding my head in my hands.
“You’ve got to, son,” Rusty says, nudging me with a glass of water.
I take a sip because my throat feels like sandpaper. Georgia rushes out with a wad of paper towels. “Thanks,” I say, dabbing my throbbing nose. Garrett may have been drunk, but he’s still fifteen years younger than me. He landed some good shots.
“We’ll take care of everything here,” Topper says. “Garrett will be out of here in a few days.”
My jaw clenches. “No?—”
“His parents are traveling. They’ll stop by and get him when they land in Denver. Stedman and Thatcher won’t let him out of their sight.”
“I can stand guard at the house if that’ll make you feel better,” Topper offers.
“Same,” Georgia adds. “But honestly, Garrett was crying when they were dragging him out. He knows he fucked up.”
“Doesn’t matter. I should’ve let him go a long time ago.”
“You thought you could get through to him,” Georgia says, sinking into the seat next to me. “We all did.”
Topper pats me on the back. “You can’t save them all, brother.”
“Still, I should have been more vigilant with him, and now he’s hurt Roxanne.”
Topper leans forward, forearms on his knees. “You have been vigilant, Duke. Hell, you bent over backward to give that kid a shot. What happened tonight? That’s on him.”
Georgia nods. “Roxanne’s okay because you were the one who got to her first.”
Rusty tilts his chin. “I get that you’re shaken up, but you’ve got to refocus.”
I rake a hand through my hair, every inch of me still tense, still simmering. “It doesn’t feel right leaving her tonight.”
Topper squeezes my shoulder. “You’re not leaving her alone. She’s got Leo. Allie. Me and Rusty. And when you get back, we’ll all be here. But right now? You’ve got about—” he checks his phone, “twenty minutes before your ride gets here.”
“Right.” I force a breath through my nose and stand, the aches from the scuffle settling into my ribs and jaw. “I just need to saygoodbye.”
The porch light’s on,casting a soft glow over the steps when I get home. The door creaks as I push it open and find Allie and Leo in the living room. They both stand as I enter.
“How’s she doing?” I ask.
“I think she’s a little rattled, but okay.”
I hang my head. “Thank you for being willing to stay with her. I’m sure she’ll be all right, but I’d feel better?—”
Leo puts up his hand. “Say no more. We are already in love with the decor in here, anyway. You may not get rid of us.”
I manage to chuckle as I head upstairs. “Sounds good to me.”
The light’s on under her door, and I secretly wish she had chosen my room to stay in. “Roxanne?”
